oyster bay tours

Embark on an unforgettable journey with Oyster Bay Tours, where every step immerses you in the rich (and delicious) tapestry of Tasmania's oyster farming heritage. Strap on your waders and venture into the pristine waters of the Swanport estuary, where you'll experience first hand how oysters are farmed and harvested.  

Our multi-award winning tour isn't just a sightseeing adventure—it's a hands-on experience. Learn the art of shucking fresh oysters under the guidance of seasoned experts, and savour the unparalleled taste of these ocean treasures, paired with local wine - right there on the river bank.

As you explore, drink in the breathtaking sight of the coastal landscape and majestic Hazard mountain range. Keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of local wildlife, from playful wallabies to graceful seabirds, adding an extra layer of magic to your journey.

Don’t miss this unforgettable experience, where the wild beauty of Tasmania's east coast meets the delicious tradition of oyster farming - as featured on Getaway.

Oyster Farm Tour (2 hours)

 Tour Highlights

• Hop on our tour bus at the Freycinet Marine Farm shop carpark where we drive you down to a real oyster farm

• Pop on some waders and walk out into the crisp waters of the Swanposrt Estuary

• Learn the art of farming and shucking fresh oysters

• Enjoy fresh oysters and cooked mussels paired with a glass of local wine on the riverbank.

Oyster Farm + Wine Tour (4 hours)

Commencing August 2024

Immerse yourself in Tasmania's natural beauty and culinary delights with our exclusive half-day tour! Begin your journey with our authentic oyster farming experience, where you'll wade in the pristine waters, learn how to grow and shuck oysters, then savor a tasting on the river front. Afterward, indulge your senses with an afternoon wine tour and tasting at the renowned Freycinet Vineyard. Set amidst breathtaking landscapes, this boutique winery offers a selection of Tasmania's best award-winning wines.

 Tour Highlights

• Hop on our tour bus at the Freycinet Marine Farm shop carpark where we drive you down to a real oyster farm

• Pop on some waders and walk out into the crisp waters of the Swanposrt Estuary

• Learn how to farm and shuck oysters

• Taste delicious pacific oysters fresh out of the water

• Enjoy fresh oysters and cooked mussels paired with a glass of local wine

• Visit the renowned Freycinet Vineyard and dive into the world of wine making

• Enjoy an exclusive tour of the wine cellar and vines, before sipping you way through a tasting of delicious wines and graze plate delicacies.

Our prices have increased due to raising operational expenses and to accommodate greater access to tours.

Tours start at **$170 per person and include a 2 hour return tour of the oyster farm, wader hire, a shucking lesson, 6 natural pacific oysters with matching dressings, half a bowl of steamed mussels and a glass of delicious local riesling.

Clothing: you should not get wet! This is an all weather tour. We provide guests with waders and heavy duty raincoats to keep them warm and dry. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. We recommend you wear or bring a pair of socks and shorts/pants for comfort in our waders/overalls. No special shoes required. If you want to bring a child on tour please see our terms & conditions.

*Eating an oyster fresh out of the river lease is subject to salinity levels and the river lease being open for safe consumer consumption. We always serve the freshest seafood and abide by the highest standards of safety.

**We are a very small family business (just a husband and wife duo) and we don’t own the oyster farm. Our prices and tour availability have changed due to substantially higher running costs. Therefore, it’s important to check tour availability and book well in advance as spots are limited and only available on select dates.

Contact

+61 444 519 288

oysterbaytours@gmail.com

LOcation

Tours depart from Freycinet Marine Farm Shop at 1784 Coles Bay Road TAS 7215

HOURS
Check our online booking calendar as we are only open part time and dates/times vary seasonally.

Closed July

May- September Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri (closed Sat/Sun/Mon)

October-March Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat (closed Sun/Mon)

We regularly update our booking calendar so please check online for specific date availability.

Price

*From $170 per person

Reservations

To secure a reservation it is essential to book and pay for your tour.

Last minute bookings are welcome over the phone but are subject to availability.

For large group bookings >12 people please email us via the contact form.

Find us @ Freycinet Marine Farm Shop

1784 Coles Bay Road TAS 7215

Contact Us

Want to book a tour? You can select your tour date/time and book online today. Book a tour for up to 12 people.

For groups larger than 12 people please use the contact form or contact us directly:

Email: oysterbaytours@gmail.com

Phone: +61 444 519 288

Children & Cancellations

Children

This is very much an adult tour. However, we ourselves have children and have tried our best to accommodate families on our stand alone oyster farm tours, with the conditions below. Please note our half day oyster farm + wine tour has a minimum age of 18 years old.

Children 12 and over can participate in the 2 hour oyster farm tour at the full adult rate of $170/person. Our tour is not suitable for anyone under 12 years old. Mainly due to height, both for fitting into adult river waders and for wading in tidal waters. We also don't have child seats for the bus. However, we are happy to take families on the following conditions:

1) Due to seating you will need to follow the tour bus and drive your own vehicle down the dirt service road to the farm (15 minute drive). No special vehicle required.

2) One guardian will need to stay on land and take full responsibility for the children throughout the water based part of the tour. However we suggest that if there are 2 adults that they both put on waders and swap over half way as the water section (taking up approximately 45 minutes of the tour) is not far off shore (approximately 20 metres). 

3) Adults will pay a full fee of $170/person. Children under 12 are free of charge. In the case your child enjoys seafood we have the option to purchase additional oysters and mussels at shop price so that they can join in the tasting part of the tour. 

You cannot bring a babysitter to the farm

We do not own the farm and we pay the owners a lease fee per guest. For this reason only paid guests can come to the farm. Non-attending family and friends are welcome to look after kids up at the shop (the tour departure point) where there is wifi and food and drinks available for purchase. But they cannot come to the farm unless they are a paid guest.

You cannot “wear” a baby on the bus or out in the water

We are an accredited passenger vehicle and it is illegal to travel with a baby who is not in a baby seat/capsule. The tour takes place in a tidal river with a muddy bottom and we do not allow babies out in the river due to the risk of drowning.

Cancellation

Oyster Bay Tours has a strict cancellation and refund policy.

Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour will receive no refund.

Cancellations made within 24-48 hours prior to the tour will receive a full refund less a $15 cancellation fee per guest.

All cancellations made with greater than 48 hours notice prior to the tour will receive a full refund.

We do not provide refunds if you are unable to attend due to an unforeseen medical/ environmental emergency. In such circumstances your loss may be recoverable under your travel insurance policy.

Tours can be rescheduled at no charge via the website for up to 48 hours prior to the tour date.

This is an all weather tour. Tours will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather warnings. Otherwise wet weather gear is recommended for rainy day tours. 

Risk management

Oyster Bay Tours operates on the private property of Freycinet Marine Farm. By registering for this tour you agree to follow the instructions and safety requirements set out by your tour guide. All participants will respect the property of Freycinet Marine Farm and remain in the designated tour area. Participants are forbidden to tamper with or operate any of the surrounding farm machinery. 

This is a water based tour that requires participants to wade in tidal waters that can be up to waist height. All participants acknowledge the unlikely, but possible, risk of drowning, and declare that they are fit and able to safely participate in this tour at their own risk. 

Participants acknowledge that shell fish is a known allergen that can result in anaphylaxis and death in extreme cases. By attending this tour, participants hereby declare that they have no known shell fish allergies and are consuming shell fish at their own risk. 

Gift vouchers no longer available

We no longer offer gift vouchers. Our small tour numbers and part time hours make it difficult to redeem them. We will honour any outstanding gift vouchers. Existing coupon codes are still redeemable via the booking portal.

Inbound agents

Hi There,

Thanks for your interest in our tours. Unfortunately we are a very small business and are currently closed to all inbound and wholesale partnerships.

This means we are not offering industry rates, famils, or third party bookings/reservations for the foreseeable future. We do not own the farm and pay the owners a commission fee per guest, so this is unlikely to change in the future.

‘But can you please make an exception for our group if we pay full rates?’

We receive so many requests like this and at this time we simply don't have the capacity for anything other than our normal services, without exception.

Private inbound groups are very welcome to book our tours via our online booking portal on the website. However, our times and numbers are not flexible. This means private groups are only able to book up to 12 guests online, and need to book all 12 slots to ensure it's a private tour. 

If group members cancel and want a refund, they are welcome to a refund but then those spots will become open to the public. 

Private groups are only able to book the existing and available tour times. All bookings need to be paid in full online as we don't have the resources to be taking payments via invoicing.  

Inbound groups are very welcome to book/join tours under these conditions. However, we completely understand if that is not possible for the structure of your groups. 

As a small family business we appreciate your kindness and consideration.

Best Regards,

Patrea & Declan