Christmas 2026
Christmas Frequently Asked Questions
Dawson's Oyster Supplies
67 King St, Warners Bay NSW
Are you taking orders?
Christmas orders open on Friday 6th November and close when we reach capacity.
To place your order, call the shop directly on (02) 4948 9608.
Here are a few important details to keep in mind:
· You can select pick up on Wednesday 23rd or Thursday 24th December.
· A minimum spend of $100 applies to all orders.
· Although your card won’t be charged until we pack your order, payment details are required at the time of order placement. We do not take cash for Christmas orders.
· There are no packing or handling fees, and we don’t require a partial deposit.
· The week before Christmas, we will call you to re-confirm your order. If you need to make any changes, big or small, we can do that then. We kindly ask that you wait until we call you to make any changes.
· We’ll have an express pick-up line in front of the shop on both collection days to ensure a smooth and quick pick-up process.
What if I miss out on placing an order?
While we can only take a limited number of pre-orders due to fridge space, we’ll be receiving fresh stock from our suppliers throughout the day. So if you didn’t get around to placing an order, or you're not quite sure what you want yet - that’s totally fine. Just come in store and take your pick.
If I buy seafood on the 22nd or 23rd Dec, will it still be fresh for Christmas Day?
Absolutely! We don’t sell seafood that’s on its last legs. Seafood purchased on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December will be totally fine to enjoy on Christmas Day, as long as it’s stored correctly.
Need a refresher on storage tips? Head to our blog: Your Guide To Storing Seafood
What are your Trading Hours?
Outside of these special hours, our hours of trade will remain the same.
22nd Dec: 8:30am - 2pm
23rd Dec: 8:30am - 2pm
24th Dec: 8:30am - 2pm
XMAS DAY - 28th December: CLOSED
29th Dec: 8:30am - 2pm
30th Dec: 8:30am - 2pm
NYE 31st Dec: 8:30am - 2pm
NYD 1st Jan: CLOSED
What prawns will you have?
We always stock Medium King Prawns from Spencer Gulf, SA - these are a salty prawn and are the favourite every year. We will also have Tiger Prawns from Queensland, and if you prefer a sweeter prawn, these are your go-to.
Will you have School Prawns?
Maybe! School Prawns are a bit of a wild card - they depend on the weather and even the moon! We won’t know until the morning of, so we suggest having a backup choice just in case.
What oysters will you have?
We always have an abundant supply of beautiful Sydney Rock Oysters.
In previous years, we've also had Pacific Oysters. Pacific Oysters don’t love warmer weather, and harvesting usually stops from December – March locally. Last year we did have Pacifics, so fingers crossed that is the case again this year.
Will you have Unopened Oysters?
We’ll have plenty of unopened oysters. They’re about $6 per dozen cheaper than opened oysters and keep for up to 10 days.
Will you have Oysters in the Jar?
Unfortunately we will not be selling oysters in the Jar to the public the week prior to Xmas unless you’ve been able to place a pre-order.
What if I don’t know what I want yet or need to make changes to my order?
No stress – just order what you think you’ll need when orders open. The week before Christmas, we will call you to re-confirm your order. If you need to make any changes, big or small, we can do that then. We kindly ask that you wait until we call you to make any changes.
What are the prices?
We’ll have a more accurate price guide when we call you the week before Christmas to confirm your order. Prices can change a little each year depending on supply, but to give you an idea, here’s what they’ve been in previous years:
· Cooked Prawns (King and Tiger): $44–$52 per kilo
· Green Prawns (Peeled or unpeeled): $42 p/kg unpeeled, $75 p/kg peeled
· Oysters: $30–$34 per dozen opened, $24-28 per dozen unopened
· Crabs: $48 per kilo
· Bugs: $68 per kilo
· Lobsters: Local Eastern Rocks $175 p/kg, Western Rocks $125 p/kg
· Salmon: $65 p/kg
· Barramundi: $54 p/kg
· Tuna: $65 p/kg
· Scallops ½ shell: $4 each
How many prawns should I order?
It depends how you’re serving them: For a prawn cocktail, appetiser or prawn rolls, allow 6–8 prawns per person. There are usually about 35 prawns in a kilo (with medium King and Tiger prawns), so for 6 people we suggest 1–1.5 kg. If prawns are the main meal, allow 10–12 prawns per person. For 6 people, that’s around 2–2.5 kg.
How many oysters should I order?
This really depends on how much your group loves oysters! As a guide, when we are catering events we usually cater 2 oysters per person – this balances out between those that love oysters and will have a few extra, and those who will pass entirely. If you’ve got oyster fans, start with 4 per person. If your family is like mine and can polish off a dozen each, order accordingly. Oysters are sold by the dozen at Christmas.
Do you have condiments for oysters and prawns?
We make our own range of oyster dressings, and they’re always a hit:
French Mignonette: A blend of shallots, vinegar, and cracked black pepper. The ultimate accompaniment for freshly shucked oysters, and our best seller.
Thai Style Vinaigrette: Infused with zesty citrus, salty fish sauce, coriander and a hint of chili. We also use this as a *not so secret* ingredient in our epic Lobster Roll Recipe.
Watermelon and Chili: Crafted with fresh watermelon and guava juice, white balsamic vinegar and a hint of chilli. We also love to freeze this vinaigrette for a watermelon and chilli granita!
Sticky Chili: Made with oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, Szechuan pepper, annatto seeds and star anise. If you love a little kick, this is the perfect sauce on top of oysters, tacos or as a dipping sauce for dumplings and prawn rice paper rolls!
For prawns and other seafood, we stock Beerenberg Creamy Seafood Sauce and Beerenberg Tartare Sauce, or we love our house-made Sticky Chilli sauce mixed with mayo or yoghurt as a dip for prawns.
Will you have Unopened Oysters?
We’ll have plenty of unopened oysters. They’re about $6 per dozen cheaper than opened oysters and keep for up to 10 days.
Will you have Oysters in the Jar?
Unfortunately we will not be selling oysters in the Jar to the public on the 23rd and 24th December unless you’ve been able to place a pre-order..
How do I find out about 2027 orders?
Want to stay in the loop for 2027 Christmas and Easter orders? Join our mailing list on the home page of our website. Newsletter subscribers are the only ones who get the order open date straight to their inbox.
I’ve called but can’t get through!
Our phones are ringing non-stop this time of year! While we do our best, it’s not always possible to answer every call. We hope that this FAQ page answers some of your questions.
Thanks for your patience at this very busy time of year. We look foward to serving you in-store.
The Team at Dawson’s
