One of the largest fish markets in the Southern Hemisphere, with wholesale seafood auctions, retail seafood stalls, sushi counters, and a harbourside outdoor eating area at Blackwattle Bay.
Sydney Fish Market on Blackwattle Bay in Pyrmont has operated since 1945 and by trading volume is one of the largest seafood markets in the Southern Hemisphere. Each weekday before dawn, a Dutch-style descending-price auction sells the day's catch to wholesale buyers, restaurants, and retailers; visitors instead experience the market through its retail hall, where dozens of seafood vendors, sushi bars, oyster stands, and a bakery operate side by side.
The market's outdoor tables overlooking Blackwattle Bay are a Sydney institution for a casual seafood lunch, particularly on weekends when the harbourside plaza fills with visitors eating prawns, oysters, and fish and chips in the open air. The site is in the process of transitioning to a new, larger purpose-built market building nearby as part of a long-planned redevelopment, so visitors should check the current operating address before a visit.
| Admission | Adult Free entry (food and seafood purchased separately) · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 7AM-4PM (retail); wholesale auction begins around 5:30AM weekdays for trade only |
| Typical visit | 1-2 hours |
| Best time | Weekday morning for smaller crowds; weekend for the fullest stall selection and atmosphere |
| Getting there | Sydney Light Rail L1 to Fish Market stop, or a 15-minute walk from Town Hall |
| Address | Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009 |
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Location
Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009
-33.8703, 151.1938 View on map
Highlights
- Eat fresh oysters and prawns at the outdoor Blackwattle Bay tables
- Browse dozens of seafood, sushi, and oyster stalls in the retail hall
- Watch the pre-dawn wholesale Dutch auction (trade access only)
- Order fish and chips waterside on a sunny weekend
- Buy fresh catch to take away from the seafood vendors
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 10AM on weekends to get a table in the outdoor Blackwattle Bay eating area before it fills up
- Buy fresh seafood, a wedge of lemon, and a bottle of white wine to eat waterside at the outdoor tables — bringing your own condiments and napkins is common practice
- The Behind the Scenes wholesale auction tour, if running during a redevelopment transition, requires advance booking and an early start
- Sydney Fish Market is undergoing relocation to a new purpose-built site nearby; check the official website for the current operating location before visiting
When to visit
Visit on a weekday morning for a quieter, less crowded experience, or a sunny weekend midday for the full outdoor atmosphere.
Accessibility
The retail hall and outdoor eating plaza are step-free and wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms on site.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book ahead to eat at the market?
No booking is needed for the retail stalls and outdoor eating area, though weekend mornings get busy and finding an outdoor table can take patience.
Can I watch the wholesale auction?
The wholesale Dutch auction is a trade-only event before dawn, but guided public tours have periodically been offered — check the market's official website for current tour availability given the ongoing site redevelopment.
What is the best thing to order?
Freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters, cooked king prawns by the kilo, and fish and chips are the classic choices, best eaten immediately at the outdoor bay-front tables.