At ACWA, we love celebrating our members’ successes.
This month, we’re taking you on a journey that will surprise and inspire you. From the world of sparkling clean cars to the rich, earthy aroma of freshly unearthed black truffles, we present to you the incredible journey of Tim Terry.
Tim isn’t just the successful car wash entrepreneur we all know and love — he’s also a pioneer of Australia’s truffle industry.
On a cold winter’s day in 1999, Tim made history by harvesting Australia’s first black truffle at his Deloraine farm in Tasmania. That single discovery helped launch an entire industry, and today, Tim’s Tasmanian Truffle Farm is world-renowned for producing some of the finest black truffles on the planet.
And the farm is still making headlines when a recent record-breaking 1.074kg black truffle find, with an estimated market value of $1,500 was featured in the Daily Mail – READ HERE
But Tim hasn’t done it alone. His trusted partner, Doug, has one of the most important noses in the business. Doug the truffle hunting dog is a superstar in his own right with his own Instagram Account — using his finely tuned nose to sniff out truffles. Once Doug pinpoints a hidden treasure, the truffles are carefully lifted from the soil by hand, ensuring they arrive at gourmet kitchens and dining tables in pristine condition.
And it’s not just Doug who’s joined the family business—Tim’s daughter Anna and son Henry are an essential part of the team, helping to grow the farm, sell premium truffle products, and run immersive truffle hunting tours for visitors from around the world.
It’s a long way from car washes to truffle hunting, but attention to detail, hard work, and the right team make all the difference in both industries. Just like a great car wash, the best truffles require patience, expertise, and a bit of magic—something Tim and his family have in spades.
Tim’s story is a fantastic reminder that car wash operators are entrepreneurs at heart with many ACWA members leveraging their experience in the industry to build successful ventures in all manner of industries.
Want to Try Truffle Hunting?
If you ever find yourself in Tasmania, why not visit Tim’s farm, meet Doug the Wonder Dog, and experience the thrill of discovering a real black truffle. Learn More
Have You a Great Story to Share?
If you’re an ACWA member with an amazing business journey, we’d love to hear from you. Your story could inspire others and strengthen our community. Share your journey with us because we would love to share it! Email Here
