Christmas Eve in the Illawarra region was defined by one thing: the relentless pursuit of the perfect seafood feast. At Harley and John's Seafood in Fairy Meadow, owner Grant Logue was operating on just two hours of sleep, labelling the day "the hardest day" as customers lined up from the pre-dawn hours.
The Pre-Dawn Rush for Fresh Seafood
The festive frenzy kicked off extraordinarily early, with the first eager customers beginning to queue outside the popular fishmonger at 4.45 am. Mr Logue reported staggering sales figures in the lead-up to Christmas Day, with the shop preparing to move a monumental five tonnes of prawns.
In addition to the prawn mountain, the shop expected to sell just under 3000 dozen oysters and hundreds of kilograms of local lobsters. "We've got some big numbers coming through," Mr Logue confirmed, noting that the week had been intensely busy, with the day before Christmas Eve being particularly "nuts" as staff scrambled to prepare.
Customers Wait Patiently for Festive Feasts
Among those braving the long lines were Joe Manning and his companion Spike, who waited patiently for 40 minutes to secure their holiday bounty. For Mr Manning, the wait was a small price to pay for a traditional Christmas celebration.
"We've got some kingfish, some salmon and some prawns, a bit of squid as well," he said, outlining the menu for a planned "seafood feast". The day's plans included salads, fish, and "lots of sugar," followed by hopes for sunshine and a trip to the beach.
Another customer, Sandra Esposito, was in line with her husband Giancarlo, supporting a new family tradition. Her son was tasked with making calamari, which had become his signature Christmas dish after a successful attempt one year. "I made it nice one year, now it's kind of what I'll be making for a while," he said.
The Esposito family planned a quieter gathering at home with burgers, pasta, and tiramisu, alongside the special calamari.
A Seasonal Splurge After a Slow Build-Up
Interestingly, Mr Logue noted that sales in the direct lead-up to Christmas had been slow, but had picked up dramatically as the holiday arrived. He attributed the surge to the festive spirit and the importance of gathering.
"Christmas time is a time for everyone just to spend up," he observed. "They're getting family and friends together, so they'll save their pennies all year and make sure that they enjoy their Christmas."
The scene at Harley and John's on December 24, 2025, served as a vibrant snapshot of Illawarra's holiday traditions, where community, family, and fresh local seafood remain at the heart of the celebration.
