Dale Tilbrook educating guests about local bush tucker, WA © Tourism Australia

“People regard lots of them as superfoods because of their nutritional make-up. Kakadu plums have the highest vitamin C content of any fruit in the world,” says the Wardandi Bibbulmun Elder and chef. “If something interests me, I’m like a big sponge – I suck it all in and retain it.” 

Today, Dale is such an expert on Indigenous bush foods that she’s in high demand to talk about them and cook them in far-flung countries such as Italy. That makes her one busy woman as she also runs Dale Tilbrook Experiences in Perth/Boorloo. 

“People call me the Bush Tucker Queen as I have a passion that borders on obsession regarding native edible plants and their pharmaceutical and nutraceutical qualities,” says Dale. “This obsession has continued to build for the last 20 odd years and is something I never tire of.” 

Dale Tilbrook Experiences, Swan Valley, WA © Tourism Australia

Aboriginal tourism veteran 

After returning from 10 years overseas, Dale’s journey in Aboriginal tourism began more than 25 years ago starting with a boomerang and artefact-making enterprise with her brother, then an Aboriginal art and gift gallery with some bush food products. From there Maalinup Gallery was developed where activities around bush tucker, culture and Aboriginal art are promoted.  

Dale expanded her work with Maalinup Gallery and created Dale Tilbrook Experiences. Today Dale’s two signature experiences focus on taking guests on an in-depth, hands-on journey into Aboriginal native edibles as food and medicine. 

“Food is our medicine,” Dale explains. During these experiences guests are able to eat the bush foods and learn many interesting facts about their nutritional profile and medicinal plants. Dale also reveals some remarkable insights into Aboriginal food traditions such as the yam garden along the Swan River, the Noongar six seasons and sustainable hunting and gathering. In her art experience, the history of Aboriginal art and dot paintings is explored and participants create their own piece to take home. Dale’s storytelling skills come to the fore when she delivers her Local History and Culture experience.