Damon Mcknight
Australia is known for its love of oversized objects, and The Big Oyster in Taree, New South Wales, is one of the many giant sculptures found across the country. Once a popular restaurant and souvenir shop, the Big Oyster now houses a car dealership. The sculpture is 12 feet tall and over 30 feet wide, with huge windows that offer panoramic views of the coast and the Pacific Highway. Aside from its size, Australia also has a competition to find the biggest oyster, with the winner crowned at the Narooma Oyster Festival. In 2022, the winner was Kirk Hargreaves with his oyster, 'Uncle Ray'. In 2024, Bernie Connell's oyster 'Jill' was named Australia's heaviest oyster, weighing 3.01 kg.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Taree, New South Wales, Australia |
| Year opened | 1990 |
| Height | 12 feet |
| Width | 30 feet |
| Current function | Car dealership |
| Previous function | Restaurant and souvenir shop |
| Designer | Glenn Industries |
| Builder | Brothers Louis and Attila Mokany |
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What You'll Learn
The Narooma Oyster Festival
The festival usually begins with Rock Oyster Week, which takes place in estuaries and eateries from the Shoalhaven River to Pambula Lake. This is followed by the main event, the Narooma Oyster Festival, which is held over three days and features a variety of attractions, including the Australia's Biggest Oyster competition, the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships, and Oyster Farmers Alley, where farmers bring their best harvest. There is also a wide range of food, markets, live music, and roving performers, as well as wine, beer, and spirit masterclasses.
The Australia's Biggest Oyster competition is a highlight of the festival, where farmers bring their largest oysters to be weighed and crowned the country's largest living oyster. In 2022, the competition was close, with two oysters weighing in at exactly the same weight of 2.71 kilograms. The winner was determined by measuring the length of the shell, with 'Uncle Ray', grown by Kirk Hargreaves, winning by one centimetre over Bernie Connell's 'Jill'. 'Jill' held the record for the heaviest oyster at 2.74 kilograms in 2025.
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Bernie Connell's 'Jill'
The Big Oyster is a large sculpture located in Taree, New South Wales, Australia. It is a notable landmark in the region and a symbol of the town's connection to the oyster industry. Bernie Connell's creation, "Jill," is the name of this big oyster. With a height of 6.5 meters (21 feet) and a width of 4 meters (13 feet), it is made of concrete and fiberglass.
Bernie Connell, a local artist, created Jill the Oyster as a tribute to the oyster industry, which has been an important part of Taree's economy and culture for many years. Connell wanted to create a unique and iconic sculpture that would become a symbol of the town and its connection to the waterways and the oyster farms that thrive there. The sculpture was designed to be a realistic and impressive representation of an oyster, with a large, curved shell and a textured surface.
Jill the Oyster was installed in 1992 and quickly became a beloved icon of Taree. It is located on the Manning River, which is known for its oyster farms and beautiful waterways. The sculpture is positioned so that it appears to be emerging from the water, with its shell open, as if offering a pearl to visitors and locals alike. This unique and artistic representation of an oyster has become a source of pride for the community and a popular tourist attraction.
Beyond its aesthetic and symbolic value, Bernie Connell's Jill plays a significant role in the local community and tourism. It has become a popular spot for social gatherings, events, and festivals. Many locals and visitors enjoy spending time near the sculpture, taking photos, having picnics, or simply admiring the view of the river with Jill as a unique backdrop. Its presence has also boosted the local economy, attracting visitors who come specifically to see the famous oyster and often end up exploring the other attractions and businesses that Taree has to offer.
The sculpture has also been incorporated into various cultural and community initiatives. It has been featured in local art and photography exhibitions, showcasing the talent and creativity of artists inspired by this unique landmark. Additionally, it has become a venue for performances, with musical and theatrical events taking place near Jill, adding a unique and memorable twist to these cultural experiences. The community has truly embraced Jill as a symbol of their town and its identity, and this has fostered a sense of ownership and pride among the residents.
Bernie Connell's Jill, the Big Oyster, stands not only as a remarkable piece of art but also as a testament to the oyster industry's significance in Taree. It has successfully brought attention to the region, fostering a sense of community and pride while also contributing to the local economy. This unique sculpture is a wonderful example of how public art can transform spaces, inspire people, and become an integral part of a town's identity and culture.
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The Clyde River
The river is known for its clean water, which is constantly monitored to support the oyster industry. The Clyde River is home to some of Australia's largest oysters, with winners of the annual Narooma Oyster Festival's "Australia's Biggest Oyster" competition coming from this region. In 2022, the winning oyster, "Uncle Ray," weighed 2.2 kilograms and was grown by Clyde River farmer Kirk Hargreaves.
The river has carved a path through the landscape, giving rise to remarkable features such as Monolith Valley, Shrouded Gods Mountain, Byangee Walls, and the Ettrema Wilderness. The area surrounding the river is home to woodland birds and animals, and a section of the river flows undisturbed beneath a lush canopy. The Mount Bushwalker trail offers glimpses of the river from above, providing a bird's-eye view of its winding path.
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Batemans Bay
The traditional custodians of the land surrounding Batemans Bay are the Walbunja people of the Yuin nation. The language spoken by the Walbunja people is Dhurga, one of the Yuin–Kuric languages. The Walbunja name for the bay is Yangary. On 22 April 1770, explorer James Cook first sighted and named the bay, possibly after Nathaniel Bateman, the captain of HMS Northumberland when Cook was serving as her master from 1760 to 1762, or John Bateman, 2nd Viscount Bateman, a former Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty in the 1750s.
Today, Batemans Bay is known for its magnificent beaches, fresh seafood, and water sports. The peaceful waters of the Clyde River are home to houseboats, offering a unique way to experience the river. The area's crystal-clear waters are ideal for snorkelling, with popular locations including Maloneys Beach, Sunshine Cove Beach, and Guerilla Bay. Batemans Bay is also a great base for exploring the natural beauty of the Eurobodalla region, including the Clyde River National Park, which offers bushwalking, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.
When it comes to oysters, Batemans Bay is considered the heart of Australia's Oyster Coast. Visitors can taste Clyde River oysters from farms such as Pearly Oyster Bar and Farm and the Oyster Shed on Wray Street. The Narooma Oyster Festival, held in the heart of rock oyster country, features a competition to crown the country's largest living oyster. In 2022, the winner was 'Uncle Ray', grown by Kirk Hargreaves of Oysters on the Clyde, weighing 2 kilograms. In 2025, the record was held by 'Jill', a 2.74-kilogram oyster grown by Bernie Connell in the Clyde River at Batemans Bay.
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$27.48 $31.29
Australia's Oyster Coast
The Sydney Rock Oyster industry is a significant employer in isolated coastal communities and provides a gourmet product. Selective breeding has reduced the time to market size from three to two years, and oysters in peak flesh condition are preferred for the half-shell trade. While the species was once extensively farmed in the Georges River estuary, it has not been since 2023.
The Narooma Oyster Festival also showcases the unique culture and community traditions surrounding oyster farming. For example, it is common for farmers to name their largest oysters and consider them pets, even decorating their shells. The festival attracts a large number of visitors and is a significant event in the region, supported by various organisations, including Australia's Oyster Coast.
In addition to the Narooma Oyster Festival, another notable attraction related to oysters in Australia is The Big Oyster in Taree, New South Wales. This oversized sculpture is one of about 150 similar structures across the country and was built by brothers Louis and Attila Mokany in 1990. While it initially served as a restaurant and souvenir shop, it now houses a car dealership. The Big Oyster stands at about 12 feet tall and over 30 feet wide, featuring large windows that offer panoramic views of the coast and the Pacific Highway.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Oyster is located in Taree, New South Wales, Australia. It was opened in 1990 and is one of about 150 large sculptures and structures across the country.
The Big Oyster was once a popular restaurant and souvenir shop. However, it now houses a car dealership.
The Big Oyster features a concrete base and a detailed top. It measures about 12 feet tall and over 30 feet wide.
