East Coast Seafood Trail

The East Coast Seafood Trail is a gourmet road trip that winds through the Hunter Valley and beyond, celebrating the freshest catches from the NSW coast. This trail is a must for food lovers, offering everything from oysters plucked straight from the lake to smoked marlin and artisan prawns. It’s a self-drive feast that pairs perfectly with the region’s famed wines.

Highlights & What to See

• Oyster farms on the Hastings River – Visit working farms where you can shuck your own or enjoy a platter with a view of the water.
• Port Macquarie’s Fishermen’s Co-op – Watch the daily catch come in and grab takeaway fish and chips or whole lobsters.
• Smoking and curing sheds – Sample hot-smoked salmon, trout, and kingfish at artisan producers along the trail.
• Local markets – Hit the weekly farmers’ markets in Port Macquarie and Taree for oysters, crabs, and mud crabs.
• Seafood cooking classes – Learn to fillet and cook your own catch at coastal cooking schools.
• Wine and seafood pairings – Many Hunter Valley wineries now offer tailored seafood menus with semillon or chardonnay.

Suggested Time to Spend

Devote at least three to four days to follow the trail from Newcastle up to Port Macquarie. Break the drive into two or three stops: base yourself in Port Stephens for the first night, then spend a full day exploring the oyster farms and coastal villages before heading inland to the Hunter Valley for a final night of wine and seafood dinners. If you only have a weekend, focus on the lower Hunter and Port Stephens sections.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hunter Valley Wine Country – The perfect inland counterpart, with cellar doors offering seafood-friendly semillon and chardonnay.
• Port Stephens – A dolphin-watching hotspot with excellent beachside seafood shacks.
• Myall Lakes National Park – Paddle through pristine lakes and stop for a picnic with local oysters.
• Barrington Tops National Park – A dramatic mountain escape with rainforest walks and waterfalls, ideal after a seafood feast.
• Newcastle – The trail’s southern gateway, with a revitalised waterfront and seafood markets.

Please check official sources for current details.