Premium Oysters …

are just the beginning

SA Premium Oyster Facebook page

The West Coast of the Eyre Peninsula, known as the Seafood Frontier, is famous as the source for some of the world’s best seafood and Smoky Bay oysters. Nestled just south of Ceduna, in the district labelled ‘The Oyster Capital of Australia’, is where you will find Smoky Bay oyster farms, the home of S.A. Premium Oysters, where you can take part in a very special oyster farm tour.

SA Premium Oysters, situated in the heart of Smoky Bay have been a family owned and operated business since 1990. Oysters are our way of life; from the cultivation of the oysters and the management of the leases, heeding the variables of wind and tide, water temperature, quality and nutrient levels, oyster growing is a fascinating and rewarding lifestyle for those passionate about producing quality seafood.

Come for a visit or join one of the tours of our oyster farm and try our premium fresh oysters first hand, or arrange to have them delivered fresh to you.

For more information about our oysters or tours or to place an order, phone 0428 257 177, or contact us here.

Our Leases

Where we grow only the best oysters

Our oyster leases are situated between 3 to 7 km from the Jetty at Smoky Bay. We access the leases at low tide by barge, when we wade through the waters tending to the oysters. SA Premium Oysters have built South Australia’s only oyster lease viewing and dining platform that overlooks the oyster farm in the middle of Smoky Bay. This unique structure enables an exceptional experience for visitors to the lease with stunning views over the pristine waters of Smoky Bay and a stable platform on which to enjoy tasting premium oysters fresh from the waters, a picnic luncheon or a special event of your own making.

Smoky Bay Map Oyster Farm Tours

Smoky Bay History

Smoky Bay has the perfect conditions for premium oyster farming, consisting of large tidal flats and a deep channel that supplies the bay with cold nutrient filled water straight from the continental shelf.

In 1988 Smoky Bay’s first oyster leases were granted comprising a total of 10 hectares. By 1998 a total of 187 hectares was being farmed by 24 growers.

In 1998 the District Council of Ceduna in conjunction with the oyster growers developed an area exclusively for the oyster industry consisting of 46 quarter acre blocks for oyster sorting sheds naming the subdivision Aquaculture Park.

There are now approximately 24 oyster farming companies operating from Aquaculture Park supplying over 30% of the states oyster sales. SA Premium Oysters became a part of the South Australian oyster industry nearly 30 years ago when Jeff and Colleen Holmes made the transition from farming wheat on the land to farming shellfish in the bay.

After three decades of analysing, testing, tweaking and sampling in an effort to produce the best possible quality oyster, Jeff and Colleen are now confident that their oysters will tempt even the fussiest of connoisseurs. Not only have they been working on their premium oysters, but they have also been experimenting with various methods of preparing them, resulting in some mouth-watering recipes featuring both raw and cooked oysters. Colleen is happy to share some of these recipes with visitors to the oyster farm and there are also some available on ‘Recipes‘ page of this site.

Oyster Farm Tours

Take a tour of a working oyster farm

Take a tour of our oyster lease … visit us at our processing shed or indulge in an unforgettable oyster tasting experience on our custom dining platform where you’ll not only sample the freshest possible oysters but also enjoy a glass (or two) of specially selected wines that perfectly complement the flavours and textures of S.A. Premium Oysters.

Shuck ‘N’ Sip

Working on  SA Premium Oyster farm
Immerse yourself in the oyster growing life.
Includes:
  • Barge Trip to the Oyster Lease (3km from Smoky Bay Boat Ramp)
  • Learn from a genuine oyster farmer how we grow our juicy oysters and history of the area
  • Learn how to shuck an oyster from an expert
  • Enjoy fresh oysters harvested straight out of their natural environment with a touch of lime or lemon
  • Relax on our beautiful viewing platform and enjoy 1/2 dozen oysters or cheese platter coupled with a glass of red or white wine
  • This tour allows you to get involved at the up close and personal level to the degree you wish and to taste the oysters straight from the waters of the environment in which they were grown

Price Per Person: $110.00

Book a Tour Now

Shucking Shed Tour

SA Premium Oyster Farm Tours Shed
The inside working of an oyster farm
Includes:

If time or circumstances don’t permit taking advantage of the full on-water oyster farm tour you can still join us at the ‘Shucking Shed’ for an in depth look at how oysters are grown and handled while sampling some of our sensational premium oysters.

  • Learn from a genuine oyster farmer how we grow our juicy oysters and history of the area
  • Learn how to shuck an oyster from an expert
  • See the oyster sorting and grading process
  • Pick the brains of a seasoned oyster grower
  • Enjoy 1/2 dozen fresh SA Premium Oysters and a glass of wine

Price Per Person: $49.00

Book a Tour Now

Private Tours

If you would like us to create a custom itinerary for a group or special occasion, we would be delighted to discuss the available options with you.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset tour for two or a special birthday with family and friends, or maybe you’re an organiser for a corporate event, we’d love to talk with you about planning a unique oyster farm experience. Contact us to find out what’s possible.

Please review the Terms and Conditions for our tours.