HOME OF THE FIRST BLACK TRUFFLE

Welcome to the first producing truffle farm in Australia; your interest and support of this small family owned business is greatly appreciated.

As the only truffle farm in Tasmania that produces two different varieties of fresh truffles, active harvesting runs for 10 months of the year from December through to September each year. Tours operate all year-round.

Discover the history of truffles from the experience and expertise of the pioneering Terry family and hear the story of how they were first grown on this farm in Australia.

Join second generation truffle farmer Anna, her team and her truffle hunting dogs and dig up some magic of your own!

Visitors are offered a hands-on immersive experience whilst actively hunting for truffles in the plantation with expert truffle dogs and handlers.

Tours include a briefing on our farm history and how we introduced truffles to Australia. After truffle hunting, visitors return to our tour space where they can enjoy a decadent fresh truffle snack or lunch accompanied with a selection of our truffle products and a glass of Tasmanian wine or beer.

Different food/fresh truffle options are available on the menu (changes with the seasons) and there is more information about our different tour offerings below. Tours also feature cooking & recipe suggestions, and question time.

TOUR SHED

Visitors are invited into the tour space and trufferie plantation during tours, alongside our truffle dogs who are free roaming (not on lead).

Our purpose-built sheltered tour shed is located outdoors and undercover with overhead heaters installed for guest comfort during colder days.

Visitors are welcome to sit by the crackling open fire-pit (during cooler months) while toasting marshmallows to enjoy.

VIA NATIONAL HIGHWAY 1

The Truffle Farm is located at 844 Mole Creek Rd Deloraine Tasmania 7304, on the direct route between Launceston and Cradle Mountain.

Situated just 45mins from Launceston and 1 hour 35 mins to Cradle Mountain.

Buses and coaches can enter via Askrigg Lane and follow the signs into the carpark area; Guides/tour leaders and visitors must check in with staff at the Farmgate shop upon arrival.

Visitors are welcome to visit the farmgate shop during shop hours. Entry is free and bookings are not required. The farmgate shop is open 7 days a week between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm.

Fresh truffles (when in season), gourmet truffle products, merchandise and decadent truffle ice cream and truffle chocolate are all available at the farmgate shop. Bathrooms are also available at the Farmgate Shop.

Regretfully, due to limited catering facilities, food & beverages are not available at the Farmgate shop.The Farmgate shop is open all year-round. (Closed on Christmas Day).

TRUFFLE SEASONS

As the only truffle farm in Tasmania that produces two different varieties of fresh truffles, we are actively hunting for fresh truffles for 10 months of the year with tours offered all year-round.

Summer truffle season typically begins early December each year and continues through until late May the following year.

Winter truffle season typically begins early June each year and continues through until early September each year.

Out-of-Season tours are operated throughout October and November - more information on this is below.

HARVESTING FRESH TRUFFLES IN SEASON

During truffle season, all tours will feature a group ‘hunting demonstration’ with the dogs, such that everyone will be able to get up close to see the action. The hunting team will endeavour to ensure that 2-3 selected visitors will have the opportunity to dig up a truffle. Naturally, if time permits and truffles are abundant, more opportunities may be provided. Please keep this in mind when booking and managing your guest’s expectations on the day.

Truffles harvested on the day of tour are incorporated into the menu served to visitors on their tour, and visitors are welcome to purchase their harvested truffle on the day, at the current retail rate.

DECEMBER TO SEPTEMBER ONLY

Tour Inclusions:

Farm history briefing and group demonstration of our dogs actively truffle hunting in the plantation
Gourmet sourdough 3-cheese fresh truffle toasted sandwich (one per person)
A glass of Tasmanian wine or beer (one per person)
A simple tasting of our truffle products shared between the group
Decadent truffle ice cream (one per person)

All menu items are 100% vegetarian; no meat or seafood is served.

Dietary requirements can be catered for; Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Vegan options are available.

A range of non-alcoholic beverages are also available.

DECEMBER TO SEPTEMBER ONLY

Tour Inclusions:

Farm history briefing and group demonstration of our dogs actively truffle hunting in the plantation
Gourmet fresh truffle pizza (half 10" per person/4 slices)
A glass of Tasmanian wine or beer (one per person)
A simple tasting of our truffle products shared between the group
Decadent truffle ice cream (one per person)

*Please note the serving of pizza is considered a decadent snack and not a complete meal. We ask that visitors take this into consideration if they are travelling long distances between meals.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

During October and November, truffles on the farm are busy growing and are not yet ready for harvest, which means no fresh truffle hunting tours during these months. Out-of-Season tours are available during October and November. Sometimes these tours operate late September and early December depending on the truffle seasonality.

Offered at a reduced rate, these unique out-of-season tours allow visitors to learn about the truffle cultivation process, watch the dogs demonstrate their skills hunting for truffles using decoys, and indulge in a gourmet 3-cheese fresh frozen truffle toasted sandwich accompanied by a glass of Tasmanian wine or beer of their choice. No truffle pizza is available during this period.

A generous tasting of the farm’s gourmet truffle products is included, followed by a serve of decadent truffle ice cream for dessert.

OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER

Tour Inclusions:

Farm history briefing and group demonstration of our dogs actively truffle hunting in the plantation (using decoys only, no visitors will be actively harvesting truffles)
Gourmet Sourdough 3-cheese fresh frozen truffle toasted sandwich (one per person)
A glass of Tasmanian wine or beer (one per person)
A simple tasting of our truffle products shared between the group
Decadent truffle ice cream (one per person)

*Please note that fresh frozen truffles are used for this tour experience; to help manage visitor’s expectations, there will be no active fresh truffle hunting or eating fresh truffles during this out-of-season tour. No truffle grading demonstration will be possible during out-of-season. Out-of-season tours occasionally begin mid-September or early December, pending truffle seasonality.

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

All farm tours can be adapted to accommodate visitor’s mobility needs, including walking frames. Visitors with mobility needs will be prioritised, by allowing them to be the first in the group to dig up a truffle, so that they may be escorted back to the comfort of the tour shed to rest while the hunt continues.

All walking pathways are level with either gravel or compounded dirt surface; for mobile visitors, some walking is required and it is preferable that visitors can walk at least 300m. The farm is wheelchair accessible with assistance.

More information can be found in the farm’s Accessibility Guide. There are no steps at the Tour Shed or Farmgate Shop.

WHAT TO WEAR

The weather in Tasmania can change often and quickly, sometimes with four seasons in one day. We are an all-weather experience and it is recommended that visitors prepare for the outdoors and dress appropriately with flat, closed-in shoes that are comfortable to walk in.

We have large umbrellas onsite just in case, but visitors are expected to take responsibility for dressing appropriately for the weather and for keeping warm. Summer in Tasmania can be harsh, so please remember to bring hats and wear sunscreen.

Visitors will be required to put disposable shoe coverings over their shoes whilst in the Truffiere for biosecurity reasons and these fit best over closed shoes.

CHILDREN ON TOUR

Children are welcome on tour and children age 4yrs and up will be charged at the adult rate.

Parents are kindly asked to manage their child’s behaviour throughout the tour to ensure a positive experience for all.

For safety and biosecurity reasons, children must stay with a supervising adult at all times and cannot roam freely in the plantation.

For very young children, baby carriers are a great option for hands-free participation, and while prams are welcome in the tour shed, they cannot be taken into the plantation.

OUR TRUFFLE DOGS

Please note that the friendly truffle dogs are a vital and essential part of the operation and tours, and they will be free roaming (not on lead) for the duration of the tour.

The truffle dogs are highly trained to do a specialised job, they are not dangerous, and they are very familiar with being around visitors; they do get excited to welcome visitors and will then rest peacefully around the tour shed both before and after the hunting component is complete.

It is considered to be the visitor’s responsibility to ensure they are comfortable and happy with this setting as the dogs cannot be removed from the tour.

TASMANIAN WEATHER

As an all-weather experience; tours proceed regardless of the weather, rain or shine; large umbrellas are provided for guest use in case of rain or showers, and the plantation oak trees provide some natural shelter from the elements.

Guides/Escorts are provided a confirmation text the day before the scheduled tour notifying any weather updates; WhatsApp is used for international numbers.

Please note that weather in Tasmania can be unpredictable. Please allow plenty of time for detours or roadworks that may delay your arrival.

DOUGLAS THE BIG TRUFFLE DOG

‘Doug The Truffle Dog’ is a corten steel sculpture crafted to honour the farm’s current real-life truffle dog, named Doug.

Standing at 2.5 metres tall and weighing over 1 tonne he brings delight to visitors on the farm; he loves pats and is always ready for a photo opportunity!