Hamiltons Oyster Bar

Hamiltons Oysters is a locally owned family business. We operate an oyster farm on Wallis Lake and developed the bar and restaurant with our first and foremost aim to help promote the local oysters and the oyster industry.


Our second aim at Hamiltons was to create a relaxed and casual venue for people to enjoy themselves whilst enjoying a beautiful outlook, whether on holidays or not.


We are not aiming to be a five star restaurant but a comfortable venue where you are always welcome. Where the views are superb no matter what the weather. Did you know, we offer dining ALL day? So you will never hear, “sorry our kitchen is closed until 5:30pm!”


Our focus is on good quality wholesome food with a varied menu depending on the season and supply, all day, all year round. We source our produce from the local area whenever possible, but sometimes we can’t, and yes we do have to buy from elsewhere.


At Hamiltons Oysters you can feel part of the every changing landscape action as our venue is the built over Wallis Lake itself within the structure of the Old Boatland Marine building. The water laps under the deck and the daily actions of the fisherman, oyster farmers and local wildlife are part of our decor.


Occasionally, we are asked, why don’t you do table service? Why, well we believe it changes our venue from casual, to something more formal and takes the relaxed nature out of the venue and we don’t see ourselves as this type of place. We are an oyster bar with good food and a lovely atmosphere right on the water. So whether you are coming for a birthday or corporate function or just passing in on the way home from the beach, our kitchen is always open and the beer is always cold. All you need to do, is simply order at the bar and then our friendly staff will bring your food to your table with a view.





Hamiltons Oysters sources oysters locally 95% of the year. If we cannot supply oysters from our own farm we purchase oysters locally, meaning from Wallis Lake. If Wallis Lake is unable to supply oysters due to being out of season or closed due to rainfall we try and source from nearby river systems.


Wallis Lake mainly grows the Sydney Rock Oyster, due to the climate here, while the Pacific oyster is grown in colder waters.


Some facts about Sydney Rock Oysters


1. Known for being smaller and sweeter than the Pacific Oyster they are only grown in Australia and on the east coast

2. It takes 4 years to grow an Sydney Rock Oyster

3. There are 2 main types of oyster cultivation used on Wallis Lake. These are stick and single seed cultivation

4. Oysters spawn (release their offspring) on the lake and these are caught on sticks or slats and then grown out over a period of 4 years until being processed.

5. There are more than 25 oyster farmers on Wallis Lake and there is over 300 hectares of water that is used for farming.

6. Oysters are caught down near the mouth of the river predominantly in what are called the harvest areas.

7. Oysters are grown out up the river systems and this can be up to 10kms up the river

8. Oysters are finally put into the harvest zones to fatten and be ready to

be sent off for sale and processing. The harvest zones are all the areas within approximately 1km of the Forster-Tuncurry Bridge. The main harvest zone is right in front of the venue where the water comes straight in from the sea. If you look out to the water, the fenced area out in the middle of the lake this is the main harvest zone.