Guided Tour Experience
What can I expect on a guided tour?
The Truffle Farm (Tasmania) offers guided experiences throughout the year.
Each tour is designed to provide an authentic insight into commercial truffle farming, Australia's truffle industry and the unique characteristics of black truffles.
As a working farm, every tour is slightly different and reflects the natural truffle season and day-to-day farm operations.
What happens during a guided tour?
Depending on the season and tour selected, visitors may experience:
A guided walk through the truffle plantation.
Truffle hunting with trained truffle dogs.
Learning how truffles grow and mature underground.
Demonstrations explaining how mature truffles are identified.
Stories about the history of Australia's first producing black truffle farm.
Insights into commercial truffle farming and harvesting.
Gourmet truffle product tastings featuring Tasmanian truffles.
Opportunities to purchase fresh truffles (when in season).
Time to browse the Farmgate Shop. (if tour occurs within farmgate shop hours)
Tour content varies throughout the year to reflect seasonal conditions.
Is every tour the same?
No.
The Truffle Farm (Tasmania) is a working commercial farm.
Each tour reflects the time of year, seasonal conditions and the natural truffle cycle.
This means no two visits are exactly the same.
Visitors returning in different seasons will experience different truffle varieties, seasonal produce and farming activities.
Will I find a truffle?
The Truffle Farm (Tasmania) aims to provide an authentic truffle hunting experience.
Because truffles are a natural product growing underground, the number of truffles located on any given tour cannot be guaranteed.
During the harvest seasons, trained truffle dogs search for naturally mature truffles hidden beneath the soil.
Where practical, the guide aims to provide at least one opportunity for each booking party to uncover a truffle. This cannot be guaranteed and depends on seasonal conditions, available truffles and tour timing.
If additional mature truffles are located and time permits, guests may have further opportunities to participate.
What happens to the truffles found during the tour?
Truffles harvested during the guided tour remain part of the farm's commercial harvest.
Fresh truffles are used in the tour's seasonal food experiences, supplied to customers or made available for purchase.
Visitors wishing to take home the truffle they harvest themselves during a tour, are welcome to purchase it at the current retail rate.
Additional fresh truffles may be purchased separately during the harvest seasons, subject to availability.
Can I keep a truffle that I find?
No.
Truffles located during the tour remain the property of The Truffle Farm (Tasmania) as part of the commercial harvest.
Visitors wishing to take home the truffle they harvest themselves during a tour, are welcome to purchase it at the current retail rate.
Additional fresh truffles may be purchased separately during the harvest seasons, subject to availability.
How much walking is involved?
Guided tours include walking within the truffle plantation.
Walking distances and conditions vary depending on the tour and seasonal conditions. It is estimated that 300-400m of walking is expected.
As the plantation is a working farm, visitors should expect natural surfaces, uneven ground and varying weather conditions.
Comfortable enclosed footwear is recommended.
What should I wear?
Visitors should dress for the weather and outdoor conditions.
Recommended clothing includes:
Comfortable enclosed footwear.
Weather-appropriate clothing.
A waterproof jacket if rain is forecast.
A hat and sunscreen during warmer months.
As tours continue in most weather conditions, dressing appropriately helps ensure a comfortable experience.
Can I take photographs?
Yes.
Photography is encouraged for personal use.
Popular subjects include:
The truffle dogs.
Truffle hunting.
Seasonal truffles.
The plantation.
Doug the Big Truffle Dog.
The visitor gardens.
Visitors are asked to be considerate of other guests during the tour.
Commercial photography, filming or media activities should be arranged with The Truffle Farm (Tasmania) prior to visiting.
Drones are not permitted. If guests wish to use a drone, permission must be sought prior to the visit to ensure the safety of the truffle dogs.
Is the tour suitable for people who don't like truffles?
Yes.
Many visitors join the experience because they are interested in:
Agriculture.
Food production.
Tasmania's history.
Working farm experiences.
Truffle dogs.
Regional travel.
No prior knowledge of truffles is required.
The experience is designed for visitors ranging from first-time truffle tasters to experienced food enthusiasts.
Good to Know
Every guided tour is influenced by nature.
Seasonal conditions, weather and the natural truffle cycle all contribute to making each experience unique.
The aim is not to stage nature, but to share the authentic experience of working with one of the world's most prized culinary ingredients.