Bush Food Australia

Off the north coast of Australia, lurking in the shark and crocodile infested Arafura Sea, there is a creature known to some as Sea Cucumber and others as Trepang.

As early as the 18th century experienced Asian sea farers sailed to the region to trade with Arnhem Land people. By the 1960s trade had dwindled however in the late 1990s the industry began to re-emerge with the help of aquaculture researchers and commercial partners.

This slippery slug-like sandfish is gathered by hand or by diving in the middle of the day. The divers then return to the boat with their netted catch to gut and boil the highly prized delicacy which is medicinally addictive and apparently an aphrodisiac!

Research is ongoing at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre with plans to develop commercial production of giant clams, blacklip rock oyster, black jewfish and barramundi aquaculture.

If you’re visiting the Top End you should plan a visit. It’s a morning tour. Bus leaves Darwin city at 8:30am and returns just in time for lunch at 11:30am.