A rare natural phenomenon is about to light up Australia’s forests

Ghost mushroom season is almost upon us – here’s where to spot them.

A winter forest that glows in the dark might sound like something out of a fairytale. But in Australia, it’s a very real natural phenomenon. Powered by bioluminescence, ghost mushrooms are one of the world’s most mesmerising sights – and the seasonal display returns this May.

What is a ghost mushroom?

Found in forests across the southern parts of the country, the ghost mushroom is a rare fungus native to Australia. At first glance, the species looks rather unassuming – its wide flat cap, usually a pale shade of cream or brown, growing from decaying logs on the forest floor.

But when night falls, the ghost mushroom comes alive, emitting a vivid green glow that appears almost radioactive. It’s all caused by bioluminescence, the natural conversion of chemical energy into light energy within a living organism. The reaction produces a soft green light that radiates up through the fungi’s gills.

In Australia, ghost mushroom season typically begins in late autumn, around the start of May. Peaking as the seasons turn, it continues through to late winter, ending around early July.

Where can I see them?

So, you know when to go looking for ghost mushrooms. But where should you start? Only three states in Australia offer the ideal conditions for them to grow – here’s where to find the best displays in each one.

NSW

Belanglo State Forest, NSW — The ghost mushroom can be found among the pines of Belanglo State Forest. (Credit: Getty Images/John J Dowling)

From the Sapphire Coast to the Southern Highlands, there’s no shortage of ghost mushroom hotspots in NSW. The species is known to appear in dense clusters within Belanglo State Forest, just over 20 kilometres from the regional town of Bowral. The pine plantation is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so visitors can still pop by after sundown.

Blue Mountains, NSW — Take a hike through the Blue Mountains in autumn for a chance at a sighting. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Further south near Merimbula, Bournda National Park and Kangarutha Farm are popular spots for fans of the fungus. And closer to Sydney, the Blue Mountains provide the perfect climate for ghost mushrooms to grow. From autumn, head out along the region’s top hiking trails and you might just spot the species glowing back at you.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

Victoria

Come the cooler months, several locations across Victoria promise a chance to see the natural phenomenon, and Dandenong Ranges National Park is a great place to start. Its damp and dense forest floor provides the perfect environment for this fungi to thrive, with walking trails open to the public around the clock.

Glow worms in cave — Witness more than one natural glowing phenomenon in Great Otway National Park. (Credit: Getty Images/Camille Niel)

Another prime destination is the Great Otway National Park, located off the Great Ocean Road. After scanning the forest floor, don’t forget to look up. The wilderness area is also known as one of the best places in Australia to spot glow worms – a double whammy!

South Australia

In South Australia, the luminous species is most prominent along the Limestone Coast. The best place to see the natural light show up close is Ghost Mushroom Lane, a family-friendly experience run by ForestrySA.

The tour gives visitors after-dark access to a working pine plantation in Glencoe, near Mount Gambier. At just $20 a head, guests are guided through the forest at night, following trails illuminated by pretty patches of glowing ghost mushrooms.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Things to know before you go

While hunting for ghost mushrooms is a magical experience, it’s important to come prepared and stay vigilant while exploring after dark. Follow these handy tips and tricks to ensure a safe and enjoyable outing.

First and foremost, it is imperative to remember that ghost mushrooms are poisonous to humans. The fungus produces a highly toxic compound, so avoid touching or handling it at all times, and never attempt to eat any wild fungi found.

As most sightings happen at night, be sure to bring a torch or headlamp to help navigate the darkness. If you can, try to use red light; artificial light will impact your night vision. Regardless of what you use, do not shine it directly on the mushrooms, as it will dull their natural glow.

No matter where you explore, always stick to marked trails and take care underfoot. Forest terrain is often uneven and slippery, especially in the cooler months when conditions are ideal for growth. Warm layers are also a must, as temperatures drop after sunset. Closed-toe shoes or hiking boots are recommended for comfort and stability.

We recommend heading out with a friend or in a small group, too. It’s also worth checking the weather conditions before you go. Recent rainfall can improve your chances of spotting the glow, but if the forecast is looking rough, consider postponing your trip.

Finally, respect the environment you’re in. Try not to disturb logs or leaf litter, as many forest critters call these places home. And as for the fungi itself, admire it from afar and you’ll help preserve the delicate natural phenomenon for others to enjoy.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland, and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit, which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk, even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk, usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park, along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail, a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park, known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

A rare natural phenomenon is about to light up Australia’s forests

Ghost mushroom season is almost upon us – here’s where to spot them.

What is a ghost mushroom?

Where can I see them?