How to do a Truffle Tour on your next Granite Belt Trip
New tours are available in Ballandean to see Queensland’s first commercial truffiere, The Folly Truffles. Belying their name, it’s no act of folly to add this new Granite Belt tourist attraction to your itinerary… our tip is this is a new MUST-DO attraction!
What to Expect on Arrival at The Folly
You’ll meet the incredibly welcoming family behind this truffiere. It all began with a love of the South of France and a dream to grow truffles… which led the family to look for a spot closer to home than France to bring their plan to life. Research revealed Ballandean’s cool climate and soil composition was ideal for truffle growing and now three generations of the family have a hand in making the dream come true.
On arrival at the farm you’ll be welcomed at the Truffle Cottage by Maple, the truffle farmer and lead tour guide of the family. The cottage couldn’t be cuter, with its French charm and views across to a cottage garden and a river below.
A Walking Tour Through the Truffiere
Join Maple on a walk through the truffiere… the French Oak trees under which the treasured French Black Perigord truffles grow. There is so much to learn about how the truffles are grown and because tours are capped at groups of 6 people there is ample opportunity to ask questions.
The first 450 trees began producing truffles ripe for harvest in winter 2021 and a further 1800 trees are expected to produce their first harvest by 2024.
When it’s the season for truffle harvest, Barry the truffle dog joins the tours to sniff out the location of truffles.
When is Truffle Harvest?
Truffles are seasonal and ready for harvest from June to August. Truffiere tours operate all year round, but in these winter months there’s the extra tour option to join Barry the truffle dog into the truffiere as he identifies where ripe truffles are ready and get your hands dirty digging out truffles! Then it’s back to the truffle cottage to carefully wash them off (with a tooth brush of all things), to fully uncover the truffle finds of the day.
Where is The Folly Truffles?
30 mins south of Stanthorpe (via Ballandean)
10 mins west of Ballandean
1110 Bents Road, Ballandean QLD
NOTE: There is a short drive over unsealed road to access the property, but any standard vehicle will have no problem with access. In the event of high rainfall, please contact The Folly Truffles to enquire about road floodway water levels.
The 3 Different Tour Options…
1) Tea with a Truffle Farmer Tour
Book a Saturday or Sunday tour: September to May.
Maple will take you on a tour of the truffière to walk amongst the trees and see where the truffles are grown. This shorter tour will be educational, informative and very scenic!
Afterwards enjoy a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with Maple at the Truffle Cottage overlooking the scenic farm and river view. Browse the truffle literature, ask more questions and purchase local products.
2. Small Group Tour
Book a Tour Anytime by Appointment for your Group of up to 6 People
Grab a group of friends, and book an intimate tour of the truffière. Walk amongst the trees with your small group and ask as many questions as you can think of!
At the conclusion of the tour, finish up at the Truffle Cottage where you can enjoy the view with a complementary tea or coffee, truffle tasting (subject to availability) and the opportunity to purchase truffles straight from the farmer (June to August).
If you feel like making your own picnic, there are other delicious local products available for purchase to enjoy on on the deck of the cottage as you soak in the view and relax in picture perfect surrounds.
3. Truffle Hunt Tour
Book a Truffle Hunt Tour Saturday or Sunday morning: June to August.
An intimate tour of the truffière where you will learn about all things truffle. You will have the opportunity to walk amongst the trees and ask questions while Barry the truffle dog will show you how he sniffs to find them.
We will then dig for truffles and you will be able to experience first-hand the thrill of the hunt. At the conclusion of the tour, warm up at the cottage with a complementary tea or coffee, some truffle tastings (see menu in image below).
Tours commence at 10.30am and finish around 12.30. Maximum 6 people per hunt to ensure everyone can get their hands dirty!
Can Kids Visit the Truffiere?
Kids are welcome to join on the tours free of charge. They will love running through the trees and spotting farm animals too.
Truffle Farm Tour Bookings
Bookings are essential. CLICK HERE TO BOOK A TOUR NOW
Where to Have Lunch Nearby
Book in at the Barrelroom restaurant at Ballandean Estate to taste The Folly truffles on the lunch menu!
Other weekend lunch spots within 20 minutes drive: St Jude’s Cellar Door & Bistro, Hidden Creek Winery & Cafe, Jamworks Gourmet Foods Cafe & Cellar Door, Girraween Country Inn Restaurant, Balancing Heart Vineyard and Wallangarra Railway Station Cafe.
