Truffle hunters headed out into a crisp morning in search of a taste of mid-winter magic on Saturday, as an event estimated to add $8 million to the Canberra region's economy kicked off.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Canberra Region Truffle Festival began on Saturday with a truffle hunt and tasting at L'Air Du Wombat Truffles, about 90 minutes from Canberra on the banks of the Shoalhaven River.
Truffles mature during the Australian winter but they only remain fresh in the ground for 12 days, making a good truffle dog's nose vital to finding the rare delicacy at its best.
During the festival, which runs from June to August, there will be more than 250 events held across the region to highlight the prized black winter truffle.
As well as hunts and tasting events, there will be truffles available at the Fyshwick markets, and a seminar will be held in Sutton to introduce newcomers to the art of truffle growing.