Australian Native Foods List: 25+ Bushfoods You Need to Know (2026 Guide)

Looking for a complete Australian native foods list? This guide covers over 25 of the most popular bushfoods used across Australia today — from Davidson Plum and Kakadu Plum to Wattleseed, Lemon Myrtle and Finger Limes.

Native Australian foods have been used for thousands of years by Indigenous Australians and are now gaining mainstream popularity for their unique flavours, nutritional value and sustainability. Whether you're a chef, food brand or home cook, this list will help you discover the most important native ingredients to know.

What Are Australian Native Foods?

Australian native foods (also known as bushfoods or bush tucker) are ingredients that naturally grow across Australia and have been traditionally used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for food, medicine and cultural practices.

Today, these ingredients are increasingly recognised for their nutritional properties and adaptability to Australian growing conditions, with ongoing research supported by organisations such as CSIRO and Australian agricultural bodies.

Australian Native Foods List (Quick Overview)

Davidson Plum
Kakadu Plum
Finger Lime
Lemon Aspen
Riberry
Quandong
Muntries
Illawarra Plum
Wattleseed
Bunya Nuts
Lemon Myrtle
Strawberry Gum
Aniseed Myrtle
Pepperberry
Saltbush
Samphire

Top 10 Most Popular Australian Native Foods

Davidson Plum – Deep purple fruit with a tart flavour, commonly used in powders, sauces and desserts.
Kakadu Plum – Widely recognised for its exceptionally high vitamin C content.
Finger Lime – Known as “citrus caviar”, used in restaurants and cocktails.
Lemon Aspen – Bright, tangy fruit with grapefruit-like acidity.
Wattleseed – Roasted seed with coffee and chocolate notes.
Saltbush – A mineral-rich native leaf with a naturally salty flavour, often used as a seasoning or garnish.
Bunya Nuts – Large, starchy nuts similar to chestnuts.
Lemon Myrtle – One of Australia’s most popular native herbs.
Pepperberry – Native spice with a strong peppery kick.
Quandong – Tart “native peach” used in jams and sauces.

Complete Australian Native Foods List by Category

Native Fruits

Davidson Plum
Kakadu Plum
Finger Lime
Lemon Aspen
Riberry
Quandong
Muntries
Illawarra Plum
Desert Lime
Midyim Berry

Seeds, Nuts & Grains

Wattleseed
Bunya Nuts
Native Millet

Herbs & Spices

Lemon Myrtle
Strawberry Gum
Aniseed Myrtle
Pepperberry
Native Thyme

Coastal & Unique Ingredients

Saltbush
Samphire
Kangaroo Apple (must be properly prepared)
Green Ants (used in fine dining)

Health Benefits of Australian Native Foods

Many native Australian foods are considered nutrient-dense and rich in bioactive compounds. Scientific research into these ingredients is ongoing, with studies published through organisations such as CSIRO Publishing.

Kakadu Plum is widely recognised as one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C.
Davidson Plum contains anthocyanins, contributing to its deep purple colour.
Lemon Myrtle contains citral, a compound responsible for its strong lemon aroma.

Note: Nutritional values vary depending on growing conditions, processing and storage. For precise values, refer to verified nutritional panels or laboratory analysis.

How to Use Australian Native Foods

Add Davidson Plum Powder to smoothies and desserts
Use Kakadu Plum Powder in health blends
Sprinkle Lemon Aspen Powder into dressings
Use Finger Limes in seafood and cocktails
Use Riberry in sauces, jams and desserts
Season dishes with Saltbush for a natural salty finish

Explore recipes using native ingredients here.

Where to Buy Australian Native Foods in Australia

Native foods can be purchased online from specialised Australian producers focused on quality and traceability.

At Naturally Native, we grow and source premium native fruits from Northern NSW and across Australia, processing them using freeze-drying and snap freezing to preserve their natural colour, flavour and nutritional value.

Browse our full range of native Australian foods.