The coastal town of Mallacoota is gearing up to welcome seafood lovers, families and travellers as the annual Wild Harvest Seafood Festival returns from September 25 to 27, 2026.
The three-day celebration highlights the region’s deep maritime roots, showcasing fresh local catches, rich seafaring heritage, and vibrant community spirit along the East Gippsland coast.
At the heart of the event is the Wild Harvest Market, where festival-goers can sample wild-caught produce straight from the pristine waters of Bass Strait.
Stalls will dish up prized local delicacies, including oysters, mussels, abalone, and sea urchins, alongside regional food stalls, artisan crafts, and live entertainment.
Culinary highlights include dedicated sea urchin tastings and a relaxed, outdoor seaside pizza picnic.
Beyond the plate, the festival offers a deep dive into Mallacoota’s history. A custom-produced short film capturing generations of local fishing stories will screen during the weekend, while local gallery MA Space will host coastal-inspired art exhibitions.
Hands-on activities planned for all ages include:
– Guided rockpool rambles exploring the intertidal zone
– Family fishing clinics for budding anglers
– Community beach clean-ups to preserve the coastline
– Live music will echo through local cafés, pubs, and public spaces throughout the weekend.
East Gippsland Shire mayor, Cr Jodie Ashworth highlighted the economic and social boost the Shire-sponsored event brings to far East Gippsland.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything our local seafood industry has to offer, from the incredible catch our divers and fishers bring in, to the generations of knowledge and stories they carry with them,” Cr Ashworth said.
“Events like the family fishing clinics are a brilliant way to get the next generation involved and excited about our local waters. Paired with live music echoing through cafés and pubs across town, it really captures what makes Mallacoota and the community such a special place to celebrate.”
Organisers are encouraging visitors to make a weekend of it by exploring the surrounding wilderness, from paddling the Mallacoota Inlet to trekking through the UNESCO-listed Croajingolong National Park.
Full program details, travel information, and timetables for the free weekend courtesy buses are available on the official Wild Harvest Seafood Festival website.
