Five bush tucker treats to try

We’re showing our appreciation of our beautiful natural bushland and the world’s oldest living culture by sharing these delicious bush tucker plants. Why not try using these ingredients in your home cooking to create some flavours that are genuinely Australian?

Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum)

Native to grasslands and open woodlands across southeastern Australia, the Chocolate Lily is a beautiful and fragrant native herb known for its star-shaped purple flowers and edible underground tubers. True to its name, the flowers emit a subtle chocolate scent that makes them a charming addition to garden salads or edible garnishes.

Beneath the surface, its tubers hold an earthy-sweet flavour reminiscent of coconut or parsnip. Roasted or baked, they take on a texture similar to hot chips, making them a fun and nutritious side dish.

Where it grows: VIC, SA, NSW, TAS
Try it in: Roasted tuber salad, herbed root vegetable medley, or thin-sliced and pan-fried.
Health benefits: High in fibre and starch, with mild antioxidant properties from its flower compounds.

Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa)

Also known as the wild onion, the Bulbine Lily is a hardy perennial flowering plant found in grasslands, woodlands, and riverbanks across eastern Australia. It produces bright yellow star-like flowers and bulb-like corms beneath the soil.

The corms are rich in calcium and iron and were a traditional staple in many Indigenous diets. When thinly sliced, seasoned, and roasted, they crisp up into satisfying, chip-like snacks — no additives needed.

Where it grows: NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, SA
Try it in: Roasted corm crisps, bush tucker stir-fries, or finely diced into savoury pies.
Health benefits: Naturally high in calcium, iron, and trace minerals — excellent for bone health.

Purple Coral Pea or Happy Wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea)

A vigorous and eye-catching climber found in open forests and woodlands of southern and eastern Australia, this species is best known for its rich violet or purple pea-shaped flowers. While often planted for its ornamental value, it also has a tasty twist — the leaves can be steeped to make a light, earthy tea similar in flavour to green tea.

This makes it a delightful, caffeine-free option for nature lovers looking to forage a native brew. Who wants a cuppa?

Where it grows: WA, SA, VIC, NSW, QLD
Try it in: A fresh herbal tea, blended with lemon myrtle or native mint.
Health benefits: Lightly antioxidant and naturally soothing, ideal as a digestive or calming tea.

Kurrajong Tree (Brachychiton populneus)

If you like popcorn and coffee, get your hands on some Kurrajong seeds. Found along the east coast and into inland areas, the Kurrajong Tree is a resilient native known for its glossy leaves, bottle-shaped trunk, and nutritional seeds. These seeds are enclosed in woody pods and, once roasted, develop a nutty, coffee-meets-popcorn flavour.

Traditionally ground and mixed into dough for bush breads like Johnny Cakes, they can also be eaten as roasted snacks or added to baked goods for crunch.

Where it grows: NSW, QLD, VIC
Try it in: Seed brittle, sprinkled over granola, or ground into pancakes or wattleseed-style damper.
Health benefits: High in protein and fibre, with low GI carbohydrates and micronutrients.

Photo credit: Rach FNQ

Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata)

Thriving in the cool, temperate rainforests of southeastern Australia, the Mountain Pepper shrub produces dark green aromatic leaves and bright red berries in autumn. Both the leaves and berries can be dried and ground to make a bold, spicy seasoning — hotter than black pepper but with a unique eucalyptus-cinnamon edge.

Perfect for those who like a kick, it’s a go-to for seasoning meats, adding zing to salads, or spicing up guacamole.

Where it grows: TAS, VIC, NSW (alpine regions)
Try it in: Guacamole, spice rubs, infused oils, or in chocolate desserts for a native twist.
Health benefits: Naturally antimicrobial and packed with antioxidants; may support metabolism and immune health.

Photo credit: Megan Hansen

We hope you enjoy your bush tucker treats!

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