Australian Octopus: Where It’s Caught, When It’s in Season & How to Cook It

Octopus might look intimidating at first, but once you know how to prepare and cook it, it’s one of the most versatile seafood options you can put on the table. With firm, meaty flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavour, Australian octopus is perfect for grilling, barbecuing, braising, frying and serving in fresh seafood salads.

For seafood lovers looking to buy octopus in Sydney, Australian octopus is a great choice for everything from a casual barbecue to a Mediterranean-inspired dinner.

In this guide, we’re diving into everything you need to know about Australia octopus — including where it’s caught, when octopus is in season, how it’s cleaned and tenderised, and how to store fresh octopus at home.

What Is Australian Octopus?

Octopus belongs to the cephalopod family, alongside squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Unlike fish, octopus has no bones or internal skeleton, making its body highly flexible.

And while they may have eight arms, they don't actually have tentacles — octopuses have eight arms, with each arm capable of acting independently.

Australian waters are home to several octopus species. In Western Australia, for example, the Western Rock Octopus (Octopus djinda) is an important species found in temperate waters from Shark Bay to Esperance.

Octopus is prized for its firm, meaty texture and ability to take on bold flavours. The key to cooking it successfully is simple: cook it very quickly over high heat or very slowly over low heat. Cooking it somewhere in between can result in tough, chewy flesh.

Where Is Octopus Caught in Australia?

Australian octopus is caught in several regions around the country, with different species and fisheries found along the Australian coastline.

In New South Wales, octopus supplied through the Sydney seafood trade can come from areas including Coffs Harbour, the Macleay region and Bermagui. Sydney Fish Market has specifically highlighted octopus from these NSW regions as being in good form during autumn.

Western Australia is also home to an important octopus fishery. The Western Rock Octopus is found along the WA coast from Shark Bay to Esperance, inhabiting rocky reefs, seagrass meadows and sandy areas. Commercial octopus fishing in WA uses passive and active traps.

Octopus is also commercially harvested in South Australia, where catches include species such as Octopus berrima and Octopus pallidus.

This means that when you're looking to buy octopus online in Australia, the exact origin can vary depending on the season, available catch and supply.

When Is Australian Octopus in Season?

Unlike some seafood species that have a very specific fishing season, octopus availability can vary depending on the species and fishing region.

For Sydney shoppers, summer is an important time to look out for octopus. Sydney Fish Market identifies octopus as one of the seafood species that can be in top form during the summer months.

NSW-supplied octopus has also been highlighted during autumn, with Coffs Harbour, Macleay and Bermagui listed as local sources.

In Western Australia, octopus is harvested throughout the year, with recreational catch data showing higher catches during summer.

So, is octopus available year-round?

It can be, but availability and origin can change throughout the year.

For the freshest Australian octopus, it's always worth checking what's currently available from your fishmonger rather than relying on one fixed national "octopus season".

Why Does Octopus Need to Be Tenderised?

If you've ever cooked octopus and ended up with something resembling a rubber band, you're not alone.

Octopus muscle contains connective tissue that can become tough when cooked incorrectly. Tenderising helps break down some of that structure before the final cooking stage.

There are several traditional ways to tenderise octopus, including blanching, simmering and freezing.

The good news? You don't necessarily need to spend hours preparing it yourself.

How Is Octopus Cleaned and Tenderised?

A cleaned octopus generally has the internal organs, intestinal sac and beak removed, with the fishmonger able to prepare it ready for cooking. 

The basic preparation process

1. Clean the octopus
   The head is opened and the internal contents are removed.
2. Remove the beak
   The hard beak sits where the arms meet and is removed before cooking.
3. Clean the body cavity
   Any remaining internal material is removed and the octopus is rinsed.
4. Tenderise
   Depending on the recipe, octopus can be blanched or gently simmered before being finished over high heat.
5. Dry thoroughly
   Patting the octopus dry is particularly important if you're going to grill, barbecue or fry it.

How to Store Fresh Octopus

If you're planning to buy octopus online, keeping it properly chilled once it arrives is important.

Fresh octopus should be refrigerated as soon as possible. Place cleaned octopus on a plate or tray, or in a covered container, in the coldest part of the refrigerator and using it within 2–3 days.

We recommend keeping perishable food at 5°C or colder and following the storage instructions and use-by date provided with the product.

For the best quality:

• Keep octopus refrigerated at 5°C or below.
• Keep it covered.
• Store raw seafood separately from ready-to-eat foods.
• Use it within the recommended timeframe.
• Don't leave seafood sitting at room temperature unnecessarily.
• If you're not going to use it within the recommended period, freezing may be an option depending on the product and packaging instructions.

Fresh Octopus Delivered to Your Door

Ready to get your tentacles around some delicious octopus?

Whether you’re after fresh Baby Octopus to cook your way or the convenience of Mediterranean Marinated Octopus, we have options ready to order online.

Buy Baby Octopus

Small, tenderised and cleaned, Baby Octopus is perfect for the BBQ, grill, salads, pasta and seafood platters. Simply add your favourite marinate and cook over high heat for a deliciously charred finish.

Buy Mediterranean Marinated Octopus

Take the easy route with Mediterranean Marinated Octopus, prepared with Mediterranean-inspired flavours and ready to enjoy. Serve it as part of an antipasti platter, toss it through a fresh salad or add it to your next seafood feast.

Order fresh octopus online and have it delivered straight to your door.