Shoal Bay Food and Wine Festival 2026
The Shoal Bay Food and Wine Festival is back on Saturday 14 March 2026 from 3pm to 9pm! Mark your calendar, gather your friends and get ready for an unforgettable day by the bay.
Set against spectacular sunset views that showcase the magic of Shoal Bay, this free event celebrates incredible food, wine and live entertainment, with guest chef Darren Robertson headlining this year’s cooking demonstrations in one of the most stunning coastal settings in New South Wales.
What to expect
Food & Wine
Tasty dishes and drinks from local restaurants, wineries, brewers and distillers, including:
- Shoal Bay Country Club
- Atmos
- Julio’s at Bannisters
- Peter Drayton Wines
- Pants Off Distillery
- Tynan Wines
- Bimbadgen
- Le Petit Fromage
- Goose on the Loose
- Bonvilla Estate
- Petersons Wines
- Sundowner Brewing Co
- Good Foods Distributors
- Banh Mi Mate
- Zenith Cafe, Restaurant and Bar
- and more to be announced!
Entertainment
- Cooking demonstrations by guest chef Darren Robertson, alongside local and visiting chefs
- Live performances on the Shoal Bay Country Club Main Stage featuring MC Jessica Farchione, Brendan Watson (3pm to 5pm) and Joy Band (6pm to 9pm)
- DJ Dola on the DJ Stage from 3pm to 9pm
Plan your trip
Accommodation
Turn your festival visit into a full weekend escape in Port Stephens. Book your accommodation with our partners Airbnb or Destination Port Stephens.
Free Shuttle Bus
We have free shuttle buses running throughout the afternoon and evening to help you get to and from the festival safely. Two low-floor, wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses will operate on continuous loops from 2.30pm on Saturday 14 March:
- Shuttle 1: Salamander Bay Square ↔ Shoal Bay (approximately every 40 minutes, last departure from Shoal Bay around 9pm)
- Shuttle 2: Nelson Bay near Dolphin Watch Cafe (Victoria Parade) via Shoal Bay Rd at Bill Strong Oval ↔ Shoal Bay (approximately every 20 minutes, last departure from Shoal Bay around 9:15pm)
Download the free shuttle bus information here.
The Shoal Bay Country Club courtesy bus will also operate from 5pm, with pick-up and drop-off outside the Shoal Bay Country Club. For more information, visit the Shoal Bay Country Club website.
Please plan ahead and allow extra time during peak periods.
Taxi
Alternatively, call Diggers Taxis on 02 40327999, or for larger groups (up to 11), call Lucky Dog Tours on 0439 155 845
Social Story
Download your social story for planning your trip
Sponsors
Shoal Bay Food and Wine Festival 2026 is proudly supported by Airbnb (Event Community Partner), Shoal Bay Country Club, Destination NSW, the Shoaly Collective, Port Stephens Council and Destination Port Stephens.