Oysters saucing up Carnivale’s Seafood Extravaganza

Seafood Extravaganza Photo Gallery

Mary Banfield

Journalist

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Corinne and Katri. Image: Mary Banfield

There was a buzz among friends and a lot of licking of fingers for the estimated 4000 attendees at the Seafood Extravaganza last weekend.

Thousands of people travelled from across the Port Douglas region, and from around the world to eat, relax and dance on the last day of Carnivale, 2022.

“They’re so fresh, so sweet, that’s how I’d describe the oysters. The taste is ‘the next level’,” said Katri Saavel, who drove from Cairns to enjoy the day with friends.

Vincenzo, Marco, Katri and Corinne. Image: Mary Banfield

After a relaxing afternoon, Katri’s friend Corinne Virapin noted, “The location is perfect and being able to walk along the marina and try different kinds of seafood while listening to live music is amazing”.

The girls were part of a group all of whom had travelled from as far away as Estonia, Italy, Croatia, and Reunion Island to stay in Far North Queensland.

Overseas visitors join the festivities

They weren’t the only overseas travellers to enjoy the festival, with many tourists having flown thousands of kilometres from Taiwan, New Zealand and China.

Under the big tent, organisers worked hard to create a communal atmosphere. “There’s this long dining table which means that strangers sit together and start chatting. There is very much a sense of community,” said Katri.

For all the oysters and prawns consumed, local businesses and staff were the stars of the afternoon.

Food from the finest restaurants

Food was painstakingly prepared by some of Port Douglas’s best restaurants, including Salsa Bar & Grill, Hemingway’s Brewery, and Santiego.

“From the first bowl of prawns we sold at midday, to the closing moments at 7 pm we had a long queue at our Portside Galley trailer,” said Tricia Griffin, Santiago Seafoods. Over the seven hours, they sold 250 kilos of produce, that’s around 5,000 prawns."

Hemingway’s Brewery reported similar sales, 1800 oysters in just one day!

While serving customers from her trailer, Tricia would steal a moment or two to watch people dancing, families laughing in the sun and children tasting their first prawns.

For months staff and businesses had worked tirelessly, for “countless hours,” in preparation for the day, “and it was worth every moment. We’re committed to making this an annual event as a way of giving back to the community,” said Tricia.

Here is to a sea of food and people in 2023.

Mahli and Scarlette. Image: supplied
Martina, Mason, Spencer and Lola. Image: Mary Banfield
Andrea, Anderson, Lin and Carolyn. Image: Mary Banfield
Ina and Bruce with Archie and Indi. Image: Mary Banfield
Matida. Image: Mary Banfield
Jimmi and Alan. Image: Mary Banfield
Huxley and Bonnie with a horse. Image: Mary Banfield
Paul and Sam. Image: Mary Banfield
Bonnie at the animal farm. Image: Mary Banfield
Erin, Leeran, Jack, Qantas and Mason have returned from Tasmania and enjoyed stripping off the layers of clothing. Image: Mary Banfield
Dancing to the music. Image: Mary Banfield
Franco and Francesco Gimelli. Image: Mary Banfield
Lola. Image: Mary Banfield
Here is to those who made the event happen. Image: Mary Banfield
Rob and Sharon. Image: Mary Banfield
David with his pink elephant. Image: Mary Banfield
Michelle and David Williams ending their 7 week holiday. Image: Mary Banfield
Brydie, Cedric and Kien Niotean. Image: Mary Banfield
Molly and Addison. Image: Mary Banfield
Tullara. Image: Mary Banfield
Jessie, Zoe, Mia and Ammie on holidays. Image: Mary Banfield
Diana. Image: Mary Banfield
Alan, Alex and Albert. Image: Mary Banfield
Jessie showing us all how to eat oysters. Image: Mary Banfield
Crockett Anderson. Image: Mary Banfield

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