Canberra Region Truffle Festival

Overview

If you love truffles, then make sure you book in a trip to the nation's capital this winter for the annual Canberra Region Truffle Festival. Running till the end of August, it has everything from a truffle-themed gala to hunts and tastings.

If you're keen to dig in the dirt, there are plenty of truffle hunts happening throughout the season. Head to the rural town of Oallen in the afternoon to forage for your own truffles — along with resident pooches Barry, Roxy and JJ — at L'Air du Wombat Truffles farm, found by the banks of the Shoalhaven River. After digging in the dirt for an hour, you'll join in a washing and grading session, then (finally) get to sample the fine fruits of your labour. It'll set you back $75. Or, you can go hunting at Contentious Character winery and farm in Wamboin, followed by a two-course fungi-filled lunch, which will cost between $40–65, with the option to pair wines. Other hunting adventures are taking place at Turalla Truffles in Bungendore and the Macenmist Black Truffles and Wine in Bredbo until the end of August.

If you're more into glamorous dinners, there's the Truffle Gala Dinner on Friday, August 1, from 6.30–10.30pm. For $155 per person, you'll get drinks, canapes and a tasting tour, followed by a three-course dinner with paired wines — all with plenty of truffles, naturally.

As in previous years, truffles will also be available for purchase at the usual local outlets, where you'll find locally foraged ones, as well as products such as truffle-infused cheese, chocolates, oils, salts and honey.

The annual Canberra Region Truffle Festival is running until August 31. You can check out the full program here. 

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