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behind the Scenes at the Market

Ever wanted to know where your seafood comes from? Why seafood is so good for you? How Yellowfin Tuna is caught?

Each weekday, SFM hosts the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the world's second largest seafood market in terms of variety, outside Japan and can answer all these questions and more! 

Approximately 2,800 crates or around 50 tonnes of seafood is auctioned daily through the computerised Dutch auction system to on average 157 buyers.  Seafood at auction is sourced from individual fishermen, Co-ops, fishing businesses and aquaculture farms in Australia and New Zealand and Asia Pacific Region.

Tours are conducted by trained SFM tour guide and go behind-the-scenes to explore all facets of the Market and its operations, including the auction floor, sashimi pavilion and crab and lobster pen. 

Behind the Scenes Tours are held every Monday, Thursday and now Friday (except Public Holidays and between Christmas and New Year).

We take up to 10 people per booking, with our tour group being a maximum of 20 people per day on Monday and Thursday and 10 people on a Friday. Bookings for these tours are essential. Call or email us on (02) 9004 1143.

What you will experience on the TOUR

  • Explanation of how the Dutch Auction and buying system works
  • Tour of Sydney Seafood School;
  • Tour of the Auction Floor, viewing over 100 species;
  • Witness oyster shucking right before your eyes
  • Find out about sashimi, live product and our retail arcade;
  • Duration of a tour is usually 1 - 1 1/2 hours;
  • ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST WEAR ENCLOSED SHOES;
  • Free parking & a coffee/tea are included.

Where and when?

  • Tours begin at 6.55am sharp and will end around 8:30am
  • The Auction itself starts at 5.30am and continues until all product is sold. The volume of product varies each day and it may finish as early as 7.30am.
  • Meeting point is outside Doyles Seafood Cafe;

Cost

  • $20 adult (please have exact change).
  • $10 children under 13 years old
    (Children must be at least 6 years of age).

What to wear?

Due to Occupational Health and Safety concerns, all visitors to the auction must wear enclosed shoes.  Those who do not wear enclosed shoes, will not be granted access to the auction floor.

The auction floor can be wet and it is best to avoid wearing leather shoes as they tend to absorb the water.  It is recommended that you roll up your long pants/jeans.

School and Group Tours

SFM tries it's best to accommodate school and group tours. These specialised tours will only be held on Tuesday and Wednesday and are subject to availability.

Small groups of up to 10 people may be accommodated on the regular Behind the Scenes tours, which run on a Monday, Thursday and Friday. Bookings for these tours are essential and are subject to availability.

Payment for all school and group tours must be paid prior to the tour date. No refunds will be issued.
Please ensure that the group arrives promptly at 6.50am.

Click here for SFM's registered Buyer and Supplier Tour policy>>

Click here for information on how to get to Sydney Fish Market >

Tour Availability

 
March
Thursday, 11 – No Availability
Friday, 12 - No Availability
Monday, 15 – Availability
Thursday, 18 – Availability
Friday, 19 - Availability
Monday, 22 – Availability
Thursday, 25 – Availability
Friday, 26 – Availability
Monday, 29 – No Availability
 
April
Thursday, 1 - Availability
Friday, 2 - No Tour (Public Holiday)
Monday. 5 – No Tour (Public Holiday)
Thursday, 8 - Availability
Friday, 9 - Availability
Monday, 12 - Availability
Thursday, 15 - Availability
Friday, 16 - Availability
Monday, 19 - Availability
Thursday, 22 - Availability
Friday, 23 - Availability
Monday, 26 – No Tour (Public Holiday)
Thursday 29 - Availability
Friday, 30 - Availability
 
May
Monday, 3 - Availability
Thursday, 6 - Availability
Friday, 7 - Availability
Monday, 10 - Availability
Thursday, 13 - Availability
Friday, 14 - No Availability
Monday, 17 - Availability
Thursday, 20 - Availability
Friday, 21 - Availability
Monday, 24 - Availability
Thursday, 27 - Availability
Friday, 28 - Availability
Monday, 31 - Availability
 
BOOK
A TOUR TODAY