This may not apply to the rest of the world (don't know if this stuff can be had overseas), but... just for the Aussies... Don't be fooled into thinking that because you heard "mahogany' and 'walnut' and the likes bandied about on the net heavily, while you rarely hear of jarrah, does not mean it's the best stuff around. In fact, not by a long stretch. Even the cliched jarrah is harder, stronger, more dent and scratch resistant, longer wearing, less brittle, closer grained than the best of overseas timber, and just as pleasant to behold (moreso in my biased opinion). Speaking of pleasant to behold, the aussie timbers also give you a selection of very attractive grain patterns which are generally only available in african or south american breeds (jungle goodness). Even in the same species you can find various colour phases and grain types. http://images.google.com.au/images?q=mallee+burl I won't share my secrets about the really good timbers (whch are rare and generally not needed except for special purposes), I'll let you do your homework... But take the hint - aussie timber is the best in the world (sorry guys). The only thing that comes close is a critically endangered Amazonian rainforest breed which is illegal to buy and sell ;) Buy Local timbers, if you're able to. Deforestation and the like have jacked the prices up, so reclaim if you can. :(