Height
3 meters
Year Built
2001
Address
Manning River Drive, Taree, NSW 2430
The Lowdown
The Big Oyster in Taree celebrates the Manning River's reputation as one of Australia's premier oyster-growing regions, producing the beloved Sydney rock oysters that grace tables from casual beach shacks to fine dining restaurants. This gleaming sculpture captures the distinctive rough shell and tender interior of an oyster, representing the shellfish that have been harvested from Manning River waters for thousands of years by Indigenous Australians and later by commercial farmers. The Manning Great Lakes region produces millions of oysters annually, grown on racks in the pristine estuarine waters where river meets sea. The Big Oyster invites visitors to shuck their own at local farms, sample fresh oysters at riverside restaurants, and discover why the Manning's oysters are considered among Australia's finest.
Did you know?
"Indigenous Australians ate oysters here for thousands of years - shell middens prove it"
History
The Big Oyster was erected in 2001 to celebrate Taree and the Manning River's long history of oyster farming. Sydney rock oysters have been cultivated here since the 1870s, though Indigenous Australians harvested wild oysters from these waters for thousands of years. The Manning River remains one of NSW's most important oyster-growing regions, producing premium shellfish prized for their distinctive flavor.
More Fun Facts
- •Sydney rock oysters take 3-4 years to reach harvest size
- •The Manning region produces millions of oysters annually
- •Indigenous Australians ate oysters here for thousands of years - shell middens prove it
- •Oysters filter up to 190 liters of water per day, cleaning the estuary
- •The best oysters are eaten as fresh as possible - within days of harvest
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit an oyster farm for the freshest possible oysters
- 💡Try oysters natural (raw) with lemon to taste true Manning flavors
- 💡The Manning River is beautiful for kayaking and fishing
- 💡Old Bar Beach is excellent for surfing
- 💡Combine oysters with local wines at riverside restaurants
Opening Hours
The Big Oyster can be viewed at any time.
More Big Things Nearby
Big Golden Guitar
A 12-meter tall fibreglass guitar monument celebrating Tamworth's status as Australia's Country Music Capital, opened by Slim Dusty in 1988.
Big Mango
A 10-meter tall, 7-tonne fibreglass tribute to Bowen's mango industry, famously 'stolen' by Nando's in 2014 for a viral marketing campaign.
Big Orange
Australia's largest big fruit at 15 metres tall and 12 metres wide, a former cafe and viewing platform celebrating the Riverland's citrus industry.