Oyster farmers on Hawkesbury River expand into tourism to keep industry alive

Sheridan Beaumont has been an oyster farmer for 15 years. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Almost a year ago, you would have been forgiven if you said you had seen tables floating in the flooded Hawkesbury River. 

Now, six of them are purposely placed in a row. 

After a tour of nearby oyster leases, guests dressed in fishing waders step off a boat into knee-deep water, ready to devour seafood platters and wide-open views.

"I want to get it to the point where I have hundreds of people walking around the river with tables scattered everywhere," oyster farmer Sheridan Beaumont said.

Ms Beaumont sets up the tables in the Hawkesbury River ready for guests to eat seafood. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

The venture is the latest attempt to keep Mooney Mooney's oyster industry afloat.

Diseases and floods have wiped out millions of oysters over the past two decades.

The most recent problem has been too much rain, with freshwater inflows affecting water salinity.

Farmers have not been able to harvest since November.

Ms Beaumont teaches people how to open oysters. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Another kicker for Ms Beaumont was a fire that tore through her oyster processing shed last September.

"There's a reason everyone is walking away," she said.

With so many hurdles, Ms Beaumont decided to study medicine as a "stable" backup career.

But she is putting her final year of study on hold to pursue her tourism dream.

Ms Beaumont has confidence in the tourism arm of the oyster farm. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

"The farm has had so many challenges," Ms Beaumont said.

The upswing in fortunes comes as Australia prepares to reopen its border to international travellers later this month.

"I've managed to get through COVID and expand the business," Ms Beaumont said.

"I've survived in the tourism industry just on the domestic market.

"When the international tourism commences again, I'm kind of terrified as to where this could be going."

More local oyster farmers are looking at starting river tours. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

Ms Beaumont's family business is not the only one diversifying in the area.

Peter O'Sullivan already has a shed where people can sit and eat oysters overlooking the river.

This year, he wants to teach visitors how to open oysters and possibly start boat tours.

With the river closed for harvesting, Mr O'Sullivan said it was becoming too expensive to buy oysters from Port Stephens to sell while also keeping staff on.

Oyster farmers on the Hawkesbury want to teach more people about the industry. (ABC Central Coast: Sofie Wainwright)

"Oysters don't stop growing," he said.

"They don't care whether there's COVID on, or the river is closed — they keep growing so we've got to keep the work up.

"Oyster farming isn't an easy game.

"We have to value-add to become more profitable."