Victoria’s truffle territory

One of the world’s most illusive and sought after ingredients can now be found in most parts of Australia, and the country has become one of the top five truffle growing countries in the world. As a culinary capital – Melbourne and regional Victoria has heartily embraced the fancy fungus with events and hunts available throughout the season, regardless of geography.

Truffle Melbourne, Victoria’s largest truffle festival returns for its fourth year in 2017, with events being held around the state. The Queen Victoria Market hosts a two-day festival of truffle-related activities, with food samplings, and cooking demonstrations by some of Australia’s favourite celebrity chefs. The Truffle Melbourne festivities don’t stop there, with four truffle hunts being held across regional Victoria to celebrate the season’s return:Located among the picturesque hills overlooking the Southern Otways coast, Wongarra Farm is 35-hectares of lush pasture, as well as creeks, bush land, and rain-forest gullies. As one of Victoria’s oldest truffieres, the farm is the perfect place to explore and experience the hard work that is truffle hunting, with a helping paw from Riley, the resident truffle dog. +61 3 5237 0256.Red Hill Truffles began as an experiment by its owners, Jenny and Mike, with the first black Perigold black truffle trees being planted in 2005. Fast forward five years and the first truffle was found under a hazelnut tree. The 2017 Hunt and Taste experience will provide visitors with the opportunity to explore this private property in a relaxed, yet informative way. + 61 4  17  190 193.

Despite the name, Black Cat Truffles employs the work of two truffle dogs, Ella and Harry, who along with their owners offer the chance to experience one of the very best truffle hunts in the Goldfields region. At the conclusion of the hunt, guests are invited back to the Truffle Shed to warm up, and taste some of the days findings. +61 4 03 394  144.

Truffle Treasures celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2017, and what better way to celebrate than to open their doors and provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the sight, texture, aroma and taste of earth’s ‘black gold’ first hand. Offering everything from truffle hunts, to a ‘Cooking with Truffles 101’ class, Truffle Treasures is ideal for anyone looking to don their winter woolies and enjoy a culinary delicacy. +61 4 77 261 292.

Dog owners with tasty ambitions are invited to bring their four-legged friend to Gourmet Pawprints, and take part in their truffle hunt tours. Truffle dogs show household pooches the ropes with this tour starting in Port Melbourne before hopping on the dog friendly bus to the final destination. +61 408 577 140.

Outside of the annual Truffle Melbourne Festival, Victoria’s winter becomes a little bit darker, and a little bit tastier when Yarra Valley Truffles re-open their doors and take visitors on several truffle hunts, and workshops. The Plough at Myrinong‘s annual Truffle Lunch returns in July, offering diners a four-course truffle-inspired menu, complete with wine. Designed to showcase the “diamonds of the kitchen”, this annual event is renowned and always reaches capacity. +61 3 5368 7173.