Hunt for some of Australia’s best truffles on this dog-led adventure

Get your truffle fix this autumn and meet Australian Truffle Traders’ resident hunting pups.

If there’s one thing I get excited about seeing on a menu, it’s truffles. They instantly elevate any meal, making it more decadent and flavourful. Truffle season is upon us, and one of Australia’s most experienced truffle-growing families is ready to share the goods.

A man holding a handful of black truffles

Australian Truffle Traders grow some of the country’s finest black truffles.

With over a decade of experience, family-run Australian Truffle Traders in Manjimup in Western Australia’s south west, harvest and sell some of the country’s finest truffles. Visitors can join one of their truffle hunts on the lush family orchard, hosted and guided by Hound & Hunter Fine Foods, the family’s cafe and experience business.

This year is expected to be a fantastic season for the decadent fungi, with ideal growing conditions leading to an abundant crop.

“We had ample rain at the right time of the year, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a good season, the best in about three or four years," says Gavin Booth, owner of the family business Australian Truffle Traders.

Truffle hunting dogs hunting for truffles

The resident dogs guide the way.

On a truffle hunting tour, follow trained (and adorable) dogs Gidgee, Max, Gunnah, Ruby and Malu who will help guide you between oak and hazelnut trees to unearth delicious black nuggets.

“People get blown away when they can smell the truffle through the soil and carefully brush away the dirt to reveal a perfect truffle," Booth says.

For the complete truffle experience, The Hound & Hunter Experience lets guests continue their truffle hunting day with a taste of the family’s truffle range (think: pate, terrine, butter, and a cheese toastie), followed by a truffle-infused country feast by chef David Coomer. The seasonal menu includes a gourmet charcuterie board with a freshly baked sourdough baguette, a main course and dessert.

A cheese and truffle toastie

The famous cheese and truffle toastie.

Can’t get to WA? You can order Australian Truffle Traders’ truffles online (within 24-48 hours of being unearthed), so you can make the simplest home-cooked meal taste like it’s from a fine dining restaurant. “Truffles may ooze decadence, but they aren’t just for fancy restaurants; they can be enjoyed at home – freshly grated truffle over creamy scrambled eggs, there’s nothing better."