Each May, the first rains sprinkle the ground, the dark earth dampens and the prospecting for black gold begins. Welcome to truffle season in Western Australia.
There may be 140 different types of truffles in the world, but just five are known as culinary Kings – and the Pericord, or black truffle, is the big Don of these. Once, the only way to get your hands on one of these big bois was in the south of France, where they grew wildly in the roots of hazelnut and oak trees and could only be snuffed out by pigs.
But when a study on black truffles and their host trees cracked the germination code, ding ding ding! Lil old Manjimup, with its rich soil, mild summers and rain-drenched winters, won the truffle jackpot. These days, the tiny town in tall timber country in the Southern Forest dominates the world truffle stage, with over 100 producers including some serious main players.
From late May, right through till when season winds up in late August, some of these growers open their groves so the average Joe can experience a truffle hunt. It’s a sensory feast, trudging down rows of towering hazelnut and oak trees, damp, dark earth beneath your feet, as throngs of sniffer dogs snuffle and scratch the soil. When the dogs stumble upon a ripe truffle, the spot is marked with a gentle tap of their toe beans – it’s an unbearably cute sight to behold.
Some tours let you have a go at splitting the earth to expose the prey. We gotta tell you, copping a whiff of that potent and powerful perfume as it hits the air is an experience that will stay with you till the end of time.
Tickets do tend to tell like hot (truffle) cakes during the season, so book ‘em while you can.
Manjimup Truffle Hunting
Find it: Manjimup is 296km (or a 3.5 hour drive) south of Perth. The season runs from late May until late August.
Book: You can book a truffle hunt through Australian Truffle Traders, Truffle Hill, Millgrove Truffles or Stonebarn Truffles.
Stay: Fonty’s Pool Caravan Park is a great spot to base yourself during your truffle adventure.
Family friendly: Sure is.
Dog friendly: Nah, Fido will need to sit this one out – don’t want to distract those sniffer dogs while they’re at work.
*We pay where we stay and only recommend the special places. Deep Dive is put together with love and lived experience, to help you explore the beautiful state of WA and the world outside of it. If you found this article useful, consider buying us a coffee to help us survive!
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