A plethora of winery, forest and gourmet dining experiences await in this region just outside Margaret River. Unearth truffles in the forests, dine at luxurious lodges and savour the region’s natural produce.
From British styles served from a traditional hand pump to modern fruited kettle sours, this boutique brewery serves some of the best brews in town. Try a tasting session to learn more about what they do best.
Manjimup’s Truffle & Wine Co.
The pristine region of Manjimup’s Seven Day Road is the heart of Western Australia’s truffle and wine industry. The region’s cool climate with a short winter replicates the weather conditions in the French Perigord truffle growing area, which has made it a leading producer of premium black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) and award-winning cool climate wines.
At the heart of this is The Truffle & Wine Co, a cafe, cellar door and truffle farm (truffiere) that combines its passion for these elusive gourmet fungi with its dedication to the region. The result is a highly respected truffle and wine business that is the largest producer of Tuber Melanosporum in the world, endorsed by top chefs and sold around the globe.
Truffle Kerfuffle is the annual celebration of this gastronomic delight and its local producers. It’s a unique event that showcases the finest produce and culinary skills of Manjimup, Pemberton and surrounds, and has been a huge success since its inception in 2022. The festival is a paddock-to-plate experience, with hard-working local farmers, truffle and wine producers and chefs lovingly opening their doors to visitors.
One of the highlights is a marketplace with over 50 stalls filled with local produce, including Newtown Orchards of Manjimup berries, fruit, and juice; Karri Country Gourmet Potatoes; Rochester Ginger drinks; Nannup Brook Farm creamed honey; Lost Lake Wines wines, beer, cider and cider vinegar; Newman Cidery 100% natural apple juice; and more.
The stalls at Truffle Kerfuffle are complemented by a chef line-up that is second to none. The chefs are not only passionate about their food, but also about their region and the quality of products they use. Each year, The Truffle & Wine Co’s chefs create unique and delicious truffle dishes for the festival that can only be experienced at this prestigious event.
The symbiotic relationship between the truffle and fine Australian wines is central to The Truffle & Wine Co’s philosophy. The team’s drive to develop great wine styles that compliment the truffle reflects their respect for this unique region of Western Australia. They are also constantly seeking new avenues to extend their market reach. For example, they are seeking to expand their Hong Kong business by importing European truffles for the Asian market.
Pemberton’s Stonebarn Lodge
Located on a 160-acre estate, set amongst lush forests, a truffiere and rivers in the picturesque Manjimup and Pemberton region of Western Australia, Stonebarn Lodge is a magnificent luxury retreat. Paris-based Australian architect Aviva F Shpilman designed the stunning stone lodge with a sense of refinement and comfort in mind.
Guests staying at the secluded hideaway can enjoy a host of unique activities including fly-fishing in the dam (filled with Marron and Trout), exploring the numerous sign posted walking trails, relaxing in the antique bush bath or snuggling in front of the fire with a book in the cosy library. Onsite luxury accommodation includes six suites with four-poster beds and claw foot baths overlooking the onsite trufflerie and forest.
The discerning clientele of this boutique property also come to Stonebarn for its three hatted fine dining restaurant, indulgent day spa and breathtakingly beautiful weddings. The team of experts at Stonebarn are dedicated to creating a memorable event for their clients. Couples can make use of the many picturesque ceremony and reception areas scattered around the stunning property or choose to take advantage of Stonebarn’s fully equipped chef’s kitchen, allowing them to bring their own chefs or caterers.
South Australian luxury touring arm The Tailor Touring Co have partnered with local gourmet food and wine producers on the Fleurieu Peninsula to launch an exclusive truffle hunting experience tour. With just two departure dates scheduled for July and August, this luxe small group experience provides South Aussies with the opportunity to discover a first-hand look into the burgeoning truffle industry. The tour includes a truffle-infused lunch at The Currant Shed with matching wines and return luxury transfers from Adelaide city.
While large parts of the state’s land is suitable for growing truffles, only a handful of farmers are currently cultivating them. According to Australian Truffle Industry Association vice president Katherine Faull, however, interest is increasing and more truffle farms are expected to open over the next few years.
Waymouth Street’s eleven Restaurant will be hosting an evening of Truffles & Red Wine on Wednesday 20 July. Join co-owners Themis Chrysidis and Callum Hann as they showcase some of their favourite truffle inspired dishes. They will be joined by a special guest, Marco “Mushroom Man” Marinelli, who will talk about his passion for growing mushrooms and the truffles that go into their famous dishes.
Pemberton’s Black Mushrooms & Truffle Cooking Class
The region’s cool climate is ideal for producing truffles and wines. Pinot noir is a particular strength in the region and has become the focus of several of the area’s top producers, while chardonnay and pinot gris are also popular varieties. The Pemberton wine region also offers the potential for producing refined Bordeaux-style wines due to its soil types and favourable climatic conditions.
Truffles are a prized culinary delicacy that add a unique richness and a tempting aroma to any dish. It’s no wonder that they are coveted by Michelin-starred chefs and passionate foodies alike. The earthy delights only grow for a short window of time each year, so it’s important to make the most of this luxurious ingredient while you can.
Join a culinary workshop at Stonebarn Truffiere & Lodge to learn about the process of cultivating, harvesting and cooking with truffles. You’ll get hands-on experience in the kitchen as you prepare dishes that showcase the fungi’s delectable flavor. Then, sit down to a truffle-laden feast under the stars with your fellow cooks.
A visit to the Manjimup Truffle Festival is the perfect way to spend a winter getaway. It’s an all weekend celebration of the truffle
During the event, you can also go on a truffle hunt, taste your way through the festival village, meet farmers and growers, discover phenomenal wines and enjoy a range of truffle laden experiences with world class chefs.
Foraging Excursions
As autumn moves into the Pemberton region, a special crop of slippery jack mushrooms and pine mushrooms is ready to be unearthed. You can join a mushroom foraging excursion with guides who will take you into the forest with wicker baskets and teach you how to find these edible fungi that are so treasured by chefs.
After learning the techniques of mushroom foraging, you’ll be able to take home your own bounty of these tasty morsels. You’ll also have a good understanding of how to cook with truffles and the best ways to use them in your own kitchen.
Pemberton’s Autumn Foraging Excursion
As the seasons turn in autumn, Pemberton’s wooded landscape abounds with a precious crop of slippery jack and pine mushrooms. Join a guided foraging excursion as mists lift over the forest, and you’ll set out into the trees with wicker baskets, learning how to safely identify and gather edible fungi. Cook your haul over the daily sunset campfire and enjoy billy tea and damper, two outback favourites.
Forage tours often take participants through different environments, including forest, meadow, and private land (with the owner’s permission). While guides point out wild edibles, they also educate about how to harvest these ingredients safely. They’ll explain what you can and cannot eat, poisonous lookalikes to avoid, and medicinal uses of these plants. The excursions also offer time where you can explore on your own, putting your newfound knowledge into practice.
A visit to Vasse Felix this winter will find you in the midst of one of the region’s truffle forests. During your stay, you’ll sample truffle infused dishes from Chef Brendan Pratt who has trained in some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants. The tasting menu is complemented by the Vasse Felix winery’s finest drops, with the estate’s truffle infused pinot noir a particular highlight.
Alternatively, a day at Mount Gnomon Farm in Stanley is sure to satisfy your hunger. Feast on a long-table three-course dinner featuring produce from the trail. The restaurant recreates TrailGraze Ambassador Palisa Anderson’s recipe for smokey glazed pork belly with sides and a dessert of their famous lemon tart.
To round out your adventure, take a tour of the local Pemberton Honey Company and learn about this sweet industry from Mikey Cernotta. Or, visit Koomal Dreaming and meet Josh Whiteland of the Wardandi people for an insight into their 40,000 years of history and culture. Whatever you choose to do, a trip to the truffle trail in Western Australia will leave you with unforgettable memories of gourmet delights. So, plan your next getaway now and get ready to embark on the ultimate truffle trail experience!