Built by the ocean, shaped by experience

Our Story

Ocean Road Abalone began on the rugged coastline near Port Fairy, where generations of abalone divers worked the waters of the Southern Ocean.

What started as a vision for sustainable abalone farming has grown into one of Australia's long-standing land-based abalone operations, shaped by resilience, innovation and a deep connection to place.

From divers to pioneers

Where It Began

Ocean Road Abalone was founded by a passionate group of local abalone divers who knew the raw power and rhythms of the Southern Ocean intimately.

In the mid-1990s, they recognised the need for a sustainable alternative to wild harvesting while creating stable, year-round employment within the local seafood industry.

That vision led to the establishment of Southern Ocean Mariculture in 1996, creating one of Australia's first land-based abalone farms.

From the beginning, the goal was simple: work with the ocean, protect natural resources, and build a future for abalone beyond wild catch alone.

A place shaped by ocean conditions

Built by the Coast

Ocean Road Abalone was established among the windswept coastal dunes near Port Fairy, where clean Southern Ocean water and naturally protected conditions provide an ideal environment for farming abalone.

Seawater is drawn directly from Taylors Beach Bay and carried beneath the dunes into the farm, creating a continuous connection between ocean and land.

This unique location remains central to the quality, consistency, and character of the abalone produced today.

Learning, rebuilding and refining

A Resilient Journey

Building one of Australia's early land-based abalone farms came with significant challenges. The early years were shaped by experimentation, improving survival rates and developing systems that would later become standard across the abalone industry.

In 2006, the farm faced one of its greatest setbacks when a virus event destroyed the entire stock population.

Rather than walking away, the team rebuilt from the ground up.

With the support of employees, share holders and the local community, the farm returned to production and emerged stronger through the lessons learned.

That resilience continues to shape how Ocean Road Abalone operates today.

Experience, care and continuity

The People Behind It

Ocean Road Abalone remains closely connected to its founders, local community and long-serving team.

Many of the original families remain involved today, alongside experienced staff whose knowledge continues to guide the farm through every stage of production.

The farm also values bringing new knowledge and perspectives into the business, supporting students, graduates and the next generation of aquaculture professionals.

This combination of experience and fresh thinking helps ensure the business continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its original values.

Innovation shaped by time and care

Continuing to Evolve

Over the years, Ocean Road Abalone has continued to invest in infrastructure, farming systems and long-term sustainability.

Today, the farm specialises in premium Tiger Abalone, combining decades of practical farming experience with ongoing advances in breeding, genetics and animal welfare.

Partnerships with organisations including James Cook University support genetic diversity programs, while continual investment in infrastructure helps improve efficiency, consistency and resilience across the farm.

By combining proven farming knowledge with ongoing innovation, Ocean Road Abalone continues to evolve while remaining connected to the conditions and experience that shaped it from the beginning.

Ocean to plate

The Story Continues

Every abalone produced today carries the influence of the Southern Ocean, the experience of the people behind it and decades of continual refinement.

From spawning through to harvest, the process is guided by care, consistency and respect for the environment.

If you would like to explore more about our farm, products and farming practices, you can: