Sydney Fish Market: Seafood extravaganza
Australia is renowned for its seafood, and the Sydney Fish Market on Blackwattle Bay is where much of it makes its way to dry land. It’s by far the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere, hauling in a somewhat alarming 52 tonnes of fish, shellfish and crustaceans a day, amounting to some15 million tonnes per year.
Business begins at 5:30 a.m. when local and international seafood buyers arrive to inspect the day’s catch before the auctions. Around 1,000 crates of seafood are sold through the computerised Dutch Auction system every weekday to some 150 buyers. If you want to take a peek behind the scenes and visit the auction room floor, take a Sydney Fish Market Tour, commencing at 6.55 a.m. ($20, bookings essential).
On any given day you’ll find around 100 different tropical and temperate marine species for sale, mainly sourced from local Australian waters. A number of seafood merchants on-site sell fresh fish to the public, with most stores also selling ready-to-eat and cooked-to-order seafood for visitors to enjoy in the harbourside outdoor dining area. Stock up on fresh prawns, oysters, live mud crab and high grade sashimi, or feast on fish and chips, calamari and lobster mornay overlooking the moored fishing boats and the Anzac Bridge.
Within the complex you’ll also find a café, a kitchenware store (the perfect place to pick up crab crackers and oyster forks), a fruit and vegetable shop and the excellent Blackwattle Deli.
HelloSydney Tip: Keen to pick up some fresh fish but nervous about cooking it up? The Sydney Seafood School is located at the markets and often has classes led by top Australian chefs. Check out their website for details.
Posted by Fiona Davies
