Venture into the forest this winter, and you might just be in for a magical surprise! The Limestone Coast’s glowing ghost mushroom tours are yet to kick off (but coming soon), and it’s not like anything you’ve ever seen before.
From May to June, Forestry SA and Walk the Limestone Coast will be offering enchanting tours of Ghost Mushroom Lane, where you can see hundreds of glowing mushrooms lining the forest floor.
Ghost Mushroom Lane is located in Glencoe Forest, near Mount Gambier, and as the weather gets colder and wetter, it becomes covered with a type of mushroom that glows after dark.
These ghost mushrooms are called Omphalotus nidiformis. They grow on pine stumps and other rotting wood, and can get as big as 20 centimetres across. In the daytime, they appear a creamy white colour, sometimes with brown, black or purple colouring, but at night, they bring the forest to life, glowing white or green.
Just like glowworms and fireflies, the mushrooms produce bioluminescence through an internal chemical reaction between fungal enzymes and oxygen, resulting in a glowing effect.
If you’re keen to get down and check this phenomenon out for yourself, guided tours are on offer. These are the perfect opportunities to view and photograph the fungi up close in a safe environment.
Upon arrival, visitors can explore the 2.3km stretch of Ghost Mushroom Lane and adventure along various forest walking trails. These paths are regularly adjusted by staff throughout the season, guiding guests to the brightest mushroom colonies as they naturally fade and reappear. It’s all about making sure you’re seeing the best of the glowing fungi, no matter when you visit.
An important note is that your ghost mushroom experience all comes down to moonlight. When there’s a full moon, the mushrooms’ glow can be much harder to see. The darker the night, the brighter and more striking the ghost mushrooms appear, so for the best viewing, aim for those moonless evenings.
For those wanting to explore, it’s recommended and encouraged to wear warm winter clothes, sensible shoes, and to bring a torch.
It’s important to remember ghost mushrooms are for looking at, not eating. Like many species of wild fungi, they are poisonous, and while they aren’t likely to cause death, the effects include vomiting and stomach cramps and are quite unpleasant.
Ghost mushrooms start making their magical appearance in late autumn, and Ghost Mushroom Lane opens exclusively for this short winter window. It’s a limited-time experience, so be sure to book ahead to catch the glow while it lasts.
For more information and to keep up to date with when the season will begin, click here.
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