If you’ve ever wondered what makes black truffles one of the most coveted ingredients in the culinary world, there’s no better place to find out than at The Truffle Farm in Canberra. Located 15 minutes from the city, this immersive experience takes you beyond the plate and into the forest, where you’ll join the farm’s expert team and their adorable truffle dogs in search of these earthy treasures. The hunts offer a rare opportunity to discover the art of truffle harvesting and understand why the world’s best chefs covet these culinary gems. Of course, the highlight is the opportunity to taste the truffles in all their glory.
The Truffle Farm has earned a reputation for producing some of the country’s finest black truffles, a claim even celebrated chef Matt Moran backs. Run by Canberra local and owner Jayson Mesman, the farm is set among 8,000 oak and hazelnut trees. It boasts sweeping views across the valley and neighbouring vineyards, making this attraction a popular wedding venue.
Jayson – who could easily be Chris Pratt’s Canberra-dwelling doppelgänger from Guardians of the Galaxy, and therefore should be referred to as ‘Truffle Lord’ – is a captivating storyteller, generously sharing the highs, lows, and entertaining moments of his journey to becoming a truffle farmer. Jayson’s career began as a K9 trainer for law enforcement, and it was his skill with training dogs that eventually led him to truffle farming. Today, the farm dogs are primarily rescue dogs, who now play a central role, utilising their training to guide visitors through the hunts, adding a heartwarming touch to the experience.
A visit to The Truffle Farm begins with a relaxed introduction to the world of truffles, where guests are greeted in the restaurant and learn the basics of these prized fungi. From there, the tour moves outdoors to the truffle paddocks, following the trained dogs as they sniff out truffles hidden beneath trees. Guests are welcome to get hands-on with digging and interacting with the dogs.
Once the hunt wraps up, the indulgence begins. Depending on the experience you book, you might enjoy a simple tasting, a three-course truffle brunch, or a lavish seven-course degustation paired with drinks. Every dish is designed to showcase the earthy, aromatic flavour of freshly unearthed truffles, from tender lamb backstrap with shavings to decadent desserts. It’s a rare chance to taste this luxury ingredient at its absolute best, right where it’s grown. The tastings are overseen by Executive Chef Kanharith (Kandy) Kim (ex Quay, Sydney), ensuring each dish showcases the truffles perfectly. Chef Kandy’s culinary expertise comes alive in each beautifully crafted dish.
The Truffle Farm season runs through winter and typically winds down by early September, so if you’re visiting around Father’s Day, you might just catch the tail end of it.
If you’ve just missed the 2025 season, there’s still the opportunity to visit the FunGuys food truck, located at the farm, to grab a mouth-watering Truffle Burger and more. FunGuys is open Wednesday through to Sunday from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Timings are seasonal, so it’s worth checking the website to confirm the most updated opening hours.
For those looking for a last minute Father's Day gift, you might want to consider picking up a Father's Day BBQ board from the farm, which includes a whole lot of Texan-style BBQ items. Bring your rug, drinks and Dad, and enjoy the feast on the lawns of the farm. Order you board here.
The Truffle Farm is undoubtedly one of Canberra’s top attractions, so make sure to add it to your itinerary and tell all your foodie friends.
- What: The Truffle Farm
- Where: 23 Mount Majura Road, Canberra
- Find out more here.