Seafood Festivals & Promotional Events
Queensland boasts a vibrant array of seafood festivals celebrating the state's rich maritime heritage and bountiful produce.
Below is a curated list of prominent seafood festivals across the state, complete with their official websites for more information.
If you think we're missing an event, please reach out and we can add it to the list!
Curated Plate, Sunshine Coast
Series of Seafood Events, chef collaborations and dining experiences!
Location: Mooloolaba
Date: 24 July–2 August 2026
View Website
OceanFest, Bundaberg
Local Wild-caught seafood, food stalls, live entertainment, ocean-themed attractions.
Location: Bundaberg
Date: 29 August 2026
View Website
Taste Port Douglas
Culinary extravaganza, masterclasses, long lunches, celebrity chef dinners, festival village.
Location: Port Douglas
Date: 6-9 August 2026
View Website
Spotlight on Hinchinbrook
QSIA & Wild and Fresh present the inaugural multi day event of networking, workshops & expo's showcasing the regions wildcaught seafood and industry.
Collaborate with Government, industry, commercial fishers, scientists and seafood retailers.
Location: Ingham
Date: 24th to 26th September 2026
Ticketed Event
View Website
Straddie's Biggest Seafood Spectacular
Straddie Oyster Festival is a celebration of their Local Fresh Oysters and Prawns with live entertainment, market stalls and kids entertainment.
Oyster and Prawn Comps and the famous Mud Crab Races are also a huge hit.
Location: North Stradbroke Island
Date: 17 January 2026
View Website
Cardwell Seafest
Held against the stunning backdrop of the Coral Sea, this festival offers a rich array of activities, including seafood feasts, live music, arts and crafts, and family-friendly entertainment. The event highlights the region’s bountiful marine life and culinary traditions, attracting both locals and visitors to indulge in fresh, locally sourced seafood.
Location: Cardwell Foreshore
Date: 2-5 October 2026
View Website
Outback by the Sea Festival, Karumba
Local Wild-caught seafood, food stalls, live entertainment, Mud Crab workshops, prawn peeling competitions and kids entertainment.
Location: Normanton & Karumba
Date: 26th September to 4th October 2026
View Website
Industry Awards
The state and national awards honour outstanding achievements across the industry by recognising individuals, businesses, partnerships, and organisations that have made meaningful contributions to a sustainable and profitable Australian seafood industry.
State Awards
Hosted by QSMA every two years.
Nominate a Queensland Seafood Business into one of the many categories.
The winner from each category
enters into the National Awards, held at Seafood Directions.
National Awards
Hosted by Seafood Industry Australia every two years at the Seafood Directions Conference.
Location rotates beween states.
July 2026 in Sydney, NSW. Also celebrating the opening of the new Sydney Fish Market building.
Industry Events
The seafood industry regularly hosts Parliamentary Friends of Seafood events at both State and Federal levels, bringing fishers, industry leaders and government representatives together to showcase our wild-caught seafood and discuss the importance of the sector to regional communities and the seafood consumers who cannot sourse it themselves.
Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Queensland Commercial Fishing Function
QSIA hosted a Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Queensland Commercial Fishing on the River Terrace at Parliament House.
The event allowed many MP's and staff, to talk with fishers and suppliers in a relaxed environment, while show casing Queensland's superb wild caught seafood (Tiger and Eastern King Prawns, Bugs, Spanner Crab and Flat Head).
We would like to thank Stephen Bennett MP and Nick Dametto MP for sponsoring the event. Additional thanks to Tony Perrett MP for his words of support for our industry and the many MP's who dropped in.
Location: Brisbane
Date: 28 August 2025
2026 TBA
Parliamentary Friends of The Australian Seafood Industry, Canberra
SIA hosts an annual Parliamentary Friends of The Australian Seafood Industry event at Australian Parliament House in Canberra, championing the interests of the Australian seafood industry.
The strong attendance of SIA members and politicians illustrates the collective recognition of the seafood industry’s importance to Australia’s economy, employment, and its irreplaceable role in our cultural heritage.
The menu is an array of Great Australian Seafood donated by SIA members.
Location: Canberra
Date: 27 August 2025
2026 TBA