Basic Profile

Origin
Wonboyn Lake, far south coast of New South Wales, near the Victorian border, Australia
Species
Saccostrea glomerata (Sydney Rock Oyster)
Classification
Farmed on estuary leases
Farming Method
Sydney rock oysters on lake leases
Producer
Wonboyn growers, including K&C Rock Oysters
Visual Signature
Small, thick-shelled Sydney rock oyster

New South Wales has oyster leases in 32 estuaries along 2,000 kilometres of coast, from the Tweed River at the Queensland border to Wonboyn Lake near Victoria. Wonboyn is the last of them.1

Disaster Bay, into which Wonboyn Lake drains, seen from Beowa National Park
Disaster Bay, into which Wonboyn Lake drains, seen from Beowa National Park. Photo: Cetrepede / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Fire, Then Water

The bushfires of 2019–20 burned 5.4 million hectares of the state. For oyster growers the damage came afterward, when rain washed ash into the estuaries. Ash carries nitrogen and phosphorus, which feed algal blooms, and blooms close harvest areas. Farmers across 13 estuaries collected more than 9,000 water and oyster samples to track it.1

Then came floods. In March 2021 Caroline Henry of K&C Rock Oysters stopped all sales. She managed one day of selling before Christmas, and the rain returned. The lake must reach a salinity of 24 parts per thousand before oysters can be harvested, and it could not get there. Her oysters, meanwhile, were ready: plenty of them, she said, and "so lovely and fat".2

Flavor Breakdown

The water
A small lake with forest around it and a narrow entrance. After heavy rain it is too fresh to harvest.
The finish
Nutty and savory, scored four. Our scores have salt, sweetness and minerality level at three, in line with the other lakes of the far south coast.

What Makes Wonboyn Lake Unique

The oyster is a fine Sydney rock. What sets Wonboyn apart is its position at the end of the line, and how completely one salinity reading decides whether its growers have an income.2

Buy it when it is on sale, because often it cannot be. Similar oysters come from Pambula and Merimbula up the coast.

Should You Add Lemon?

Cautiously

A few drops at most.

Pairing Guide

1
Hunter Valley Semillon

Lean and lemony.

2
Riesling, dry

Lime and acid.

OptimalPlain
AcceptableLemon
AvoidHeavy sauces

Who Is This For?

Will love it
  • People who like to support very small growers
  • Travelers between Eden and the Victorian border
Sources
  1. Murray, S., & Ajani, P. (20 August 2020). "Ah shucks, how bushfires can harm and even kill our delicious oysters." The Conversation. theconversation.com
  2. Szanto, L. (13 December 2021). "Wonboyn oyster farmers hopeful for new year, with a healthy estuary and 'lovely fat' produce." Eden Magnet. edenmagnet.com.au
Tasting notes & flavor profile in the Oysterminds app →