Australian Blackwood
Scientific name: Acacia melanoxylon
Overview
Australian Blackwood is one of the most respected furniture timbers native to Australia and Tasmania. Closely related to koa and other Acacia species, this hardwood is valued for its rich golden-brown color, attractive grain patterns, and excellent workability. The wood can display subtle figure such as curl or fiddleback, making it desirable for fine furniture and musical instruments.
Because of its stability and pleasant working characteristics, Australian Blackwood has long been used by cabinetmakers and luthiers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Well-figured pieces are especially prized and can resemble Hawaiian koa in appearance.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Australian Blackwood
- Scientific Name: Acacia melanoxylon
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia, Tasmania)
- Tree Size: 65–100 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 38 lbs/ft³ (610 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,160 lbf
- Color: Golden brown to dark brown, sometimes with reddish tones
- Grain: Usually straight but can be wavy or curly
- Texture: Medium and uniform
Identification Characteristics
Australian Blackwood typically displays a warm golden-brown heartwood that may darken slightly with age. The grain is usually straight but can occasionally show attractive figure such as curl, fiddleback, or subtle waves. The wood has a medium texture and natural luster, allowing it to take finishes extremely well.
Key identification traits include:
- Golden-brown heartwood that deepens with age
- Occasionally curly or figured grain
- Medium texture with natural luster
- Often compared in appearance to koa
Working Properties
Australian Blackwood is generally considered easy to work with and is favored by many woodworkers for its stability and finishing qualities. It machines cleanly, turns well, and responds nicely to sanding and polishing. Highly figured boards may require extra care during machining to prevent tear-out.
- Machines and turns well with sharp tools
- Usually cuts cleanly with minimal tear-out
- Glues and finishes very well
- Sands to a smooth surface and accepts polish easily
- Good dimensional stability once properly dried
Safety Note
Australian Blackwood is generally considered safe to work with. However, like many hardwoods, wood dust may cause mild irritation in some individuals. Standard dust collection and protective equipment are recommended.
Common Uses
Australian Blackwood is widely used for fine furniture and decorative woodworking because of its attractive color and excellent workability.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Musical instruments
- Veneer
- Turned objects
- Architectural millwork
Sustainability & Notes
Australian Blackwood is not listed as endangered and is widely harvested throughout Australia and Tasmania. Plantation-grown trees are increasingly common, helping support sustainable supply. Because of its beauty and reliable working properties, it remains one of the most desirable native Australian furniture timbers.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Tasmanian Blackwood – A regional name commonly used when the species is harvested in Tasmania, where the wood often shows stronger figure.
Hawaiian Koa – Another Acacia species with similar color and grain figure, though koa typically shows more dramatic curl.
Queensland Maple – A lighter-colored Australian hardwood commonly used in cabinetry and interior joinery.
Related Guides
Wood Strength
Learn what determines wood strength, including density, stiffness, and resistance to bending and impact.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper drying helps maintain the stability that makes this species ideal for furniture and instruments.
Understanding Chatoyance in Wood
Explore Understanding Chatoyance in Wood to learn how grain orientation and reflected light can create the shifting visual depth seen in highly figured examples of this species.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Australian Blackwood is a rewarding species for wood collectors because of the wide variation in grain figure. Straight-grained boards show a refined and elegant appearance, while figured pieces may display curl similar to koa. Because of this variation, collectors often seek multiple samples to showcase the range of grain patterns found within the species.
Video Overview
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• WEN JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer for flattening and straightening wood edges and faces
https://amzn.to/41NWYEu
• TARIST 3-Piece 8″ Wood Rasp File Set for shaping, smoothing, and refining wood surfaces
https://amzn.to/4sQEkXm
• WORKPRO Folding Roller Stand Height Adjustable for supporting long boards during cutting and milling
https://amzn.to/41OB587
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