Intrepid foodies from Victoria, NSW and the ACT are celebrating amid the news that the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival is returning to Mallacoota on November 11, 12 and 13.
The initial Wild Harvest festival in 2019 was a smash hit and further enhanced the East Gippsland town's reputation as one of Victoria's best off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Then came a two-year forced hiatus due to you-know-what.
But now the little community is bursting with excitement as it prepares to welcome back visitors and showcase some of Australia's freshest and most outstanding local seafood, produce, beer and wine, amid the beautiful surrounds of the Wilderness Coast.
The festival is a celebration of Mallacoota's long history and connection to the ocean, and provides a rare opportunity to buy and taste sea urchin and whelks, the abalone for which Mallacoota is famous, and the best oysters and mussels from nearby coastal communities.
At the heart of the event is the free open air Wild Harvest Seafood Market, as well as dinner and tasting events hosted by renowned seafood chefs and food writers.
Sailor's Grave has confirmed that is legendary urchin-infused beer, which debuted to acclaim at Wild Harvest 2019, will return for the 2022 festival, sure to lure beer aficionados from far and wide.
East Gippsland is fast-becoming one of Australia's best food tourism destinations, and Wild Harvest will reach beyond the ocean to bring together some of Australia's freshest and most outstanding local produce, beer and wine from across the region.
More events and attractions will be announced in the coming weeks.