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SECRETS OF PEARLING TOUR

Immerse yourself in the story of the Australian Pearl and discover the hidden gem of New South Wales – the Australian Akoya pearl. Your guide will share the secrets of pearl cultivation from seeding through to pearl harvest. Just 45 minutes north of Sydney CBD, visit us to learn the secrets of pearling.

  • from $46 / adult
  • 1 hour
  • Land based
  • How we farm Akoya pearls
  • History of pearling in Australia
  • Immersive pearl grading
  • Learn about pearl virtues
  • Suitable for all ages
  • Tuesday to Sunday
  • This experience is Eco Certified, recognising our commitment to sustainable, nature-based tourism.
Book now
Get directions to our Shellar Door
In the hands of a Broken Bay Pearl Farmer sits an Akoya Pearl Oyster, opened and showing a stunning Australian Akoya pearl - untouched by chemicals or enhancements. Secrets of Pearling Tour.
A tour guide holds an Australian Akoya pearl grown at Broken Bay Pearl Farm during a Pearl Grading Class at the Shellar Door. The couple sitting in front of her are smiling and listening intently, with a tray of loose pearls from both Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay Pearl Farm in front of them.
An assortment of Australian pearls, grown at both our Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay pearl farm, sit of a tray ready to be inspected during a Pearl grading experience available at Broken Bay Pearl Farm.
A tour guide holds an Australian Akoya pearl grown at Broken Bay Pearl Farm during a Pearl Grading Class at the Shellar Door. The couple sitting in front of her are smiling and listening intently, with a tray of loose pearls from both Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay Pearl Farm in front of them.
An assortment of Australian pearls, grown at both our Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay pearl farm, sit of a tray ready to be inspected during a Pearl Grading experience available at Broken Bay Pearl Farm.
our shellar door

SECRETS OF PEARLING TOUR

In the hands of a Broken Bay Pearl Farmer sits an Akoya Pearl Oyster, opened and showing a stunning Australian Akoya pearl - untouched by chemicals or enhancements.
A tour guide holds an Australian Akoya pearl grown at Broken Bay Pearl Farm during a Pearl Grading Class at the Shellar Door. The couple sitting in front of her are smiling and listening intently, with a tray of loose pearls from both Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay Pearl Farm in front of them.
An assortment of Australian pearls, grown at both our Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay pearl farm, sit of a tray ready to be inspected during a Pearl grading experience available at Broken Bay Pearl Farm.
A tour guide holds an Australian Akoya pearl grown at Broken Bay Pearl Farm during a Pearl Grading Class at the Shellar Door. The couple sitting in front of her are smiling and listening intently, with a tray of loose pearls from both Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay Pearl Farm in front of them.
A tour guide holds their palm open, with loose Australian South Sea keshi pearls sitting on top of her hand. A guest reaches into the palm of their hand, taking one Keshi pearl to inspect during a Pearl Grading Class. Beneath their hands is a tray with both South Sea pearls and Akoya pearls grown at our Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay Pearl Farms respectively.

Immerse yourself in the story of the Australian Pearl and discover the hidden gem of New South Wales – the Australian Akoya pearl. Your guide will share the secrets of pearl cultivation from seeding through to pearl harvest. Just 45 minutes north of Sydney CBD, visit us to learn the secrets of pearling.

  • from $46 / adult
  • 1 hour
  • Land based
  • How we farm Akoya pearls
  • History of pearling in Australia
  • Immersive pearl grading
  • Learn about pearl virtues
  • Suitable for all ages
  • Tuesday to Sunday
  • This experience is Eco Certified, recognising our commitment to sustainable, nature-based tourism.
Book now
Get directions to our Shellar Door
how to experience our secrets of pearling tour

OUR COMBINED TOURS

Shell to Showroom

If you love everything to do with pearls or want to become a pearl expert, then we recommend combining our Shell to Showroom Tour. A combination of Secrets of Pearling and our Farm Cruise – an incredible opportunity to learn about the journey of the pearl from shell to shellar door.

Swipe to see our ready to book tour combinations.

A tour boat takes guests out onto the Hawkesbury River on a Farm Cruise. They cruise the calm waters of the river, and take in the view of Spectacle Island.
In the hands of a Broken Bay Pearl Farmer sits an Akoya Pearl Oyster, opened and showing a stunning Australian Akoya pearl - untouched by chemicals or enhancements.

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x

Farm Cruise

+

Secrets of Pearling

  • from $103 / adult
  • 2 hours
  • Tuesday to Sunday
Book now
Learn more

Oyster & Pearl Lovers

If you love all things pearls and oysters, then we recommend our Oyster & Pearl Lovers tour – the combination of all our Shellar Door experiences. The best way to learn about the journey of the pearl from shell to shellar door.

Swipe to see our ready to book tour combinations.

A tour boat takes guests out onto the Hawkesbury River on a Farm Cruise. They cruise the calm waters of the river, and take in the view of Spectacle Island.
In the hands of a Broken Bay Pearl Farmer sits an Akoya Pearl Oyster, opened and showing a stunning Australian Akoya pearl - untouched by chemicals or enhancements.
A tour guide stands at the head of the table, with guests standing and smiling around him during a Farm to Plate Tour. They all stand around a wooden table in the Shellar Door, in front of them are trays of Australian Rock oysters and Akoya oysters ready to be tasted during an Oyster Tasting Experience.

 

Farm Cruise

+

Secrets of Pearling

+

Oyster Tasting

  • from $139 / adult
  • 3 hours
  • Tuesday to Sunday
Book now
Learn more
An Australian Akoya pearl sits on an Akoya Mother of Pearl Shell, in the hands of a Broken Bay Pearl Farmer.
The view from the Shellar Door, of Spectacle Island during sunset. The river is calm, and the sky is lit up with yellow and gold tones.
A clean Australian Akoya Mother of Pearl shell sits on a wooden table, with technician tools sitting next to it. Inside the shell are Australian Akoya pearls, all of different colours.

DISCOVER THE PEARLS OF THE

CENTRAL COAST

Forty-five minutes north of Sydney’s CBD, You’re invited to visit New South Wales’ only pearl farm.

Our locally and sustainably grown Akoya pearls are amongst the finest quality pearls grown anywhere in the world.

Carefully cultured by our pearl farmers over many years, our world class Akoya pearls are over 1000 times rarer than diamonds. Not only are our pearls rare, pure and completely stunning to look at, they also happen to be one of the few precious gems on the planet that contain regenerative and restorative qualities for our environment.

This means when you purchase a pearl, you’re not only purchasing one of the rarest and most beautiful gifts of mother nature, you’re also helping to facilitate the restoration of our pristine Australian waterways.

DISCOVER THE PEARLS OF THE

CENTRAL COAST

An Australian Akoya pearl sits on an Akoya Mother of Pearl Shell, in the hands of a Broken Bay Pearl Farmer.
The view from the Shellar Door, of Spectacle Island during sunset. The river is calm, and the sky is lit up with yellow and gold tones.
A clean Australian Akoya Mother of Pearl shell sits on a wooden table, with technician tools sitting next to it. Inside the shell are Australian Akoya pearls, all of different colours.

Forty-five minutes north of Sydney’s CBD, You’re invited to visit New South Wales’ only pearl farm.

Our locally and sustainably grown Akoya pearls are amongst the finest quality pearls grown anywhere in the world.

Carefully cultured by our pearl farmers over many years, our world class Akoya pearls are over 1000 times rarer than diamonds. Not only are our pearls rare, pure and completely stunning to look at, they also happen to be one of the few precious gems on the planet that contain regenerative and restorative qualities for our environment.

This means when you purchase a pearl, you’re not only purchasing one of the rarest and most beautiful gifts of mother nature, you’re also helping to facilitate the restoration of our pristine Australian waterways.

all our

SHELLAR DOOR TOURS

A tour guide stands at the head of the table, with guests standing and smiling around him during a Farm to Plate Tour. They all stand around a wooden table in the Shellar Door, in front of them are trays of Australian Rock oysters and Akoya oysters ready to be tasted during an Oyster Tasting Experience.

Oyster Tasting

from $36 / adult

Book now
Learn more
  • 30 minutes
  • Taste the oysters of NSW
  • Oyster shucking demonstration
  • This experience is Eco Certified, recognising our commitment to sustainable, nature-based tourism.
A tour boat takes guests out onto the Hawkesbury River on a Farm Cruise. They cruise the calm waters of the river, and take in the view of Spectacle Island.

Farm Cruise

from $57 / adult

Book now
Learn more
  • 1 hour
  • Cruise of Hawkesbury River
  • Visit our pearl oyster lease
  • This experience is Eco Certified, recognising our commitment to sustainable, nature-based tourism.
A group of guests sit outside of the Shellar Door, enjoying a grazing lunch including local rock oysters, grapes, cold meats, and bread while overlooking Spectacle Island.

Grazing Lunch

from $80 / adult

Book now
Learn more
  • 1 hour
  • Gourmet grazing lunch
  • Scenic riverside view
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SECRETS OF PEARLING TOUR FAQS

The Secrets of Pearling Tour is a 1-hour, land-based experience at our Shellar Door, where your guide will take you on an immersive journey into the world of Australian pearl cultivation. From seeding through to harvest, you’ll discover the story of the Australian Akoya pearl, the hidden gem of New South Wales, right here at NSW’s only pearl farm, just 45 minutes north of Sydney CBD.

The tour covers the full story of how we farm our Australian Akoya pearls, including the history of pearling in Australia, an immersive pearl grading experience where you’ll handle real pearls, and a deep dive into pearl virtues: What makes a pearl rare, valuable, and beautiful.

The Secrets of Pearling Tour runs for 1 hour.

Yes, the Secrets of Pearling Tour is suitable for all ages, making it a great experience for families, couples, and groups alike.

We ask that you please arrive 15 minutes before your tour to check in and use bathroom facilities.

 

The Secrets of Pearling Tour is available Tuesday to Sunday. We recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred date and time, particularly on weekends and during peak periods.

The Secrets of Pearling Tour is a land-based experience held indoors at our Shellar Door. Please dress comfortably for the weather, particularly during cooler months.

Pearl grading is the process of evaluating a pearl’s quality based on factors such as lustre, surface, shape, size, and colour – which we refer to as virtues. During the tour, you’ll get hands-on with real Australian pearls, including our Broken Bay Akoya pearls and South Sea pearls from our sister farm in Cygnet Bay, Western Australia, and learn to see what separates a good pearl from an exceptional one.

Absolutely, and we highly recommend it. The Secrets of Pearling Tour combines beautifully with our Farm Cruise to form the Shell to Showroom experience. Or, for the ultimate day out, join us on our combined tour that joins Farm Cruise, Oyster Tasting and Secrets of Pearling in one day with our Oyster & Pearl Lovers tour.

Absolutely! Our Shellar Door features a stunning range of pearl jewellery, including pieces set with our Broken Bay grown Australian Akoya pearls, as well as Australian South Sea pearls from our sister farm in Cygnet Bay, Western Australia. It’s the perfect place to find a pearl that speaks to you.

The tour takes place at the Broken Bay Pearl Farm Shellar Door, located at 12 Kowan Rd, Mooney Mooney NSW 2083, approximately 45 minutes north of Sydney’s CBD on the lower Hawkesbury River. Wondering how to get to us? Learn more here.

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