Where to find glowing ghost mushrooms in Australia

Take the kids on a moon-lit walk to witness the otherworldly glow of ghost mushrooms in the wild.  

Ghost mushroom season starts now! 

Wandering through a dark, damp forest filled with rotting logs and fallen trees might sound like the opening scene of a horror film. But for those willing to head out on a moonlit walk during April and May, it can reveal something magical: bioluminescent fungi. Ghost mushrooms, as they are commonly known, are one of nature’s more unusual wonders, glowing softly thanks to a natural chemical reaction, similar to fireflies, glow worms or bioluminescent algae. There are more than 100 known species of glowing fungi around the world, and several can be found right here in Australia. If you’re keen to take the kids on an illuminated night-time adventure, you’ll have the best chance of spotting these fairy-like fungi in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania – and we’ve put together a list of the best places to go searching for ghost mushrooms across Australia to get you started.  

You can keep track of all the latest ghost mushroom sightings by checking out iNaturalist – a website where people interested in plants, animals, fungi and other wild things record sightings and information.  

What is a ghost mushroom? 

A ghost mushroom (Omphalotus nidiformis) is a large, native Australian fungus that grows on decaying wood and fallen trees. It is bioluminescent, which means it can produce its own light through a natural chemical reaction. Ghost mushrooms actually glow around 22 hours a day, but due to sunlight, the human eye can only see them at night.  

Why do ghost mushrooms glow?  

Ghost mushrooms glow because of a natural chemical reaction inside their cells. A substance called luciferin reacts with an enzyme called luciferase, using oxygen to produce a soft greenish light, similar to how fireflies glow. Scientists are still not completely sure why this happens. Some believe the glow may simply be an accidental genetic trait, while researchers in South Australia think it could be a by-product of the mushroom’s metabolism. There is also a Brazilian study that suggests the light might help attract insects, although this idea is still being studied and debated, while Californian scientists think it could be environmental factors that make the mushrooms glow.  

What do ghost mushrooms look like? 

Ghost mushrooms look similar to oyster mushrooms during the day, appearing like pale, ordinary forest fungi. They can grow up to 30 cm across, but at night they give off a faint greenish-blue glow that is quite subtle to the naked eye – and best captured using long-exposure photography.  

Where can you find ghost mushrooms in Australia? 

You can see ghost mushrooms in forests along Australia’s southern coast. They are commonly found in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales, usually growing on dead trees and rotting wood.  

When is the best time to go hunting for ghost mushrooms? 

The best time to go looking for ghost mushrooms is in autumn, especially from April to May. They are easier to find after rain when there is plenty of moisture and the nights are cool.  

Can you eat ghost mushrooms?  

Ghost mushrooms are poisonous. This means they can make people sick if they are touched or eaten. 

Where to find ghost mushrooms in New South Wales (April to May)

• Belanglo State Forest, Southern Highlands 
• Glenrock State Conservation Area, Central Coast  
• Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, north Sydney 
• Seven Mile Beach National Park, Gerroa  
• Thirlmere Lakes National Park, Greater Blue Mountains 
• Tura Beach, Sapphire Coast  

Where to find ghost mushrooms in South Australia (May to mid-June)

• Ghost Mushroom Lane, Glencoe Forest, near Mount Gambier 
• Para Wirra Conservation Park, near Barossa Goldfields 
• Scott Creek Conservation Park, Mount Lofty Ranges 
• Padthaway Conservation Park, Limestone Coast 
• Mount Crawford, Adelaide Hills 

Where to find ghost mushrooms in Tasmania (April to August)

• Dooley’s Hill, Latrobe 
• Don Reserve, Devonport 
• Box Beach, Tomaree National Park 
• Mount Wellington National Park, Hobart 
• Dip Falls, Mawbanna 
• Paradise, Sheffield  
• Coal Mines Historic Site, Saltwater River 
• Where to find ghost mushrooms in Victoria (April to June) 

Where to find ghost mushrooms in Victoria (February to May) 

• George Street Reserve, Mornington Peninsula 
• Baxter’s Track, Frankston South, Mornington Peninsula  
• Balnarring Caravan Park, Balnarring Beach  
• Dandenong Ranges National Park  
• Glenelg River, Nelson 
• Honeyeater Picnic Area, Mount Pilot National Park 

Keep reading:

• Incredible natural phenomena found in Australia
• Where to see glow worms in Australia
• Where to find bioluminescent beaches in Australia

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