Bush tucker

An essential part of the Australian culture, bush tucker is food that was eaten by the indigenous Aborigines, and some bushtucker traditions are thought to be 50,000 years old. Also known as native Australian food, emu, crocodile and kangaroo are all examples of bush food, with other more unappealing examples including grubs and goanna.

Today you can still sample traditional bush tucker, with many tours on offer:

At Tumbeela Native Bushfoods you can pick your own indigenous berries, enjoy a tour of the bush, and even buy your own bush plants. Contact: tumbeela@ozemail.com.au; 08 8388 7360

Try bush food and celebrate the aboriginal culture at the Kakadu Mahbilil Festival, held on the 12th September 2009. Aboriginal people from throughout Kakadu come and enjoy the festivities which include traditional dancing, market stalls and bush foods. Contact: Lake Jabiru; 08 8979 2200

Learn to crochet mukata (beanies) or weave tjanpi (grass) baskets while sharing stories and bushtucker with local aboriginal tutors at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.

Learn about the bush and enjoy an aboriginal chefs tour with RT Tours, where you can cook over open fires and camp out under the stars with RT Tours Australia.

Big Bend By Night Eco Tours offer a bush tucker breakfast in the rugged beauty of the mid Murraylands region. Take an evening tour highlighting the nocturnal wildlife, scenery and lagoons surrounding the Big Bend area of the River Murray, plus a three-course dinner at sunset. Sample great wines and enjoy a winery lunch on a Barossa Valley winery day tour. Experience a bush tucker food breakfast and a glass of sparkling wine at Big Bend River Murray lagoon.

You can find out more about bush tucker at Australian Bushfoods Magazine.