Western Sydney Stakes Its Claim on Australia's Seafood Festival Map
West HQ
Key Facts:- West HQ in Rooty Hill is hosting its expanded Western Sydney Oyster & Seafood Festival throughout August 2026, aiming to establish itself alongside Australia's leading regional seafood festivals such as the Narooma Oyster Festival and Mandurah Crab Fest.
- The festival, running from 2 to 31 August 2026, will feature celebrated chefs, Australian oyster growers and seafood producers, cooking demonstrations, and family entertainment designed to make premium seafood accessible and affordable.
- The event has grown significantly since its launch in 2023, with West HQ having served over 300,000 oysters across previous festivals and a further 100,000 expected to be served this August.
- Visitor numbers from more than 25 kilometres away increased by 18.8 per cent in 2024 and a further 15.1 per cent in 2025, demonstrating growing appeal across Greater Sydney.
- West HQ's Commercial and Communications Chief Robert Squillacioti stated the ambition is to create a major seafood celebration for Sydney, so that residents do not need to travel to the coast or interstate to enjoy a serious seafood festival.
Western Sydney’s leading entertainment, dining, and leisure destination, that once campaigned to have its own postcode, is now chasing a new recognition for Western Sydney by staking a claim on Australia’s seafood festival map.
While Rooty Hill may be inland, West HQ feels this year’s expanded Western Sydney Oyster & Seafood Festival deserves a place alongside Australia’s established regional seafood festivals.
These include established regional destinations already recognised for celebrating Australian Oysters and Seafood, including the Narooma Oyster Festival on the NSW South Coast, Western Australia’s Mandurah Crab Fest, South Australia’s Tunarama Festival and Victoria’s TIDAL Seafood Festival.
Running from Sunday 2 August 2026 to Monday 31 August 2026, the festival will bring together celebrated chefs, Australian oyster growers and seafood producers, oyster and seafood dishes, demonstrations and family entertainment designed to make premium seafood accessible, entertaining, and affordable.
The expanded festival builds on an event that began in 2023, when celebrity chef Sean Connolly - the chef behind Steak & Oyster Co. at West HQ - set out to make oysters more accessible to Western Sydney.
Since the event began, West HQ has served more than 300,000 oysters during the Festival, with a further 100,000 expected to be served this August.
West HQ Commercial and Communications Chief Robert Squillacioti said the ambition was to establish a major seafood celebration for Sydney rather than replicate a traditional coastal festival.
“Sydneysiders should not have to travel to the coast or interstate to enjoy a serious seafood festival,” he said.
“It is clear from the interest we have had as the event has evolved over the years that Sydneysiders have an appetite for oysters and other seafood.
“What began as Sean Connolly’s idea to make oysters more accessible has grown into a month-long celebration attracting guests from across Greater Sydney. Guest traffic from more than 25 kilometres away during the festival period increased by 18.8 per cent in 2024 and a further 15.1 per cent in 2025.”
Sean Connolly said he was excited to see his idea evolve into a serious Oyster & Seafood Festival.
“August is peak oyster-growing season and the month of World Oyster Day, making it the perfect time to celebrate oysters and other outstanding Australian seafood in the heart of Western Sydney.
“We look forward to realising our ambition to build one of Australia's leading seafood festivals here in Western Sydney - one that is approachable, affordable and distinctly our own.”
About us:
ABOUT WEST HQ
West HQ, formerly known as the Rooty Hill RSL, is the leading landmark destination for entertainment, dining, leisure, lifestyle, and accommodation located in the heart of Greater Western Sydney. Spanning approximately nine hectares and serving a membership base of more than 60,000, West HQ is one of the largest and most diverse precincts in New South Wales. It is home to the Coliseum Theatre - a 2,000-seat multi-modal performance venue - alongside a suite of award-winning restaurants including CHU Restaurant by China Doll, Steak & Oyster Co. by Sean Connolly, Pizzaperta Manfredi, 33Grill Bar & Dining, New Town Thai, and Harriet’s Chicken. West HQ also houses the world-class Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre, one of the largest fitness centres in Western Sydney, One55 Health & Fitness, the 164-room Novotel Sydney West HQ, Timezone and Zone Bowling, plus a full conferencing and events precinct capable of hosting 8 to 900 delegates. Situated at the apex of the M4 and M7 motorways with complimentary parking and train access, West HQ is easily accessible from all parts of Greater Sydney and 45 minutes from the CBD. West HQ’s website can be found at westhq.com.au.
Contact details:
Lighthouse Communications Group
Jane Stagg | [email protected]