Open up google maps, Satellite view. Look for pine forests. The two main ones you’ll find are:
Saffron milk caps (Lactarius deliciosus)
Slippery Jacks (Suillus luteus)
It’s not season yet, late Autumn, winter as a rough guide. Not all pine forests are abundant, there is plenty round Creswick way, and also Ballarat/Buninyong.
Always good to have a guide, though these two are pretty easy to identify.
If you were actually asking about Psilocybin mushrooms, they live in the same place (and around town) A guide is definitely recommended , as there are many similar little brown mushrooms.
I am definitely keen on that last one and live near some pine forests, can't wait to try in the colder months (although it's pretty cold right now tbh)
The one and only one you are looking for is Psilocybe Subaeruginosa. Please do your research, there is plenty out there that explains what you’re looking for. Join an identifying Facebook group, or post on Shroomery ID pages.
They are native, so also grow in the bush as well as pines.
I just tend to put this general warning out whenever foraging comes up...be very careful if you forage on council managed land such as roadsides, train tracks, playgrounds, parks, etc. The council routinely sprays pesticide that is toxic to humans in these areas, and half the time don't care what they spray.
Stick to foraging in wooded areas and areas unlikely to be as heavily managed for weed and pest control.
Apparently there is some good pine mushrooms out Creswick way near the high school but I'll always put the disclaimer that unless you know 100% that it's the right mushroom, for the love of god don't eat it
I’m a grown ass man who has never tried magic mushrooms and it’s on the list of things to do this year. Is there an online resource for foraging those safety in this area?
There are plenty of online resources even for foraging in Australia, but honestly, best to go foraging with someone you know who knows their stuff. The main rule is if you're unsure of what you've picked, do not eat them.
Linton is a good location, but usually late April early May for Milk Caps and Slippery Jack's, once it gets really cold and there is plenty of moisture around, some wood Bluets can also be found around some of the older growth areas.
Agree that saffron milkcaps (aka pine mushrooms) and slippery jacks are the two main edible varieties in the area. They associate with pine trees.
If you're keen to learn more, look for workshops by Alison Pouliot. She did one at Creswick Neighbourhood House that was a heap of fun. She also did the field guide to regional fungi that is available through the local Landcare group for $5 or so.
ETA I haven't heard anything about foraging for truffles. There is a place called Black Cat Truffles that offers truffle hunting tours in season.
It's a brochure, not a book - Fungi of the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges. I don't know of a more local version. It covers native fungi only, so not fungi of pine plantations, and not focused on edible fungi. Not much is known about edibility of indigenous fungi, at least to non-Koories.
[https://alisonpouliot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Wombat\_Fungus\_Guide\_POULIOT.pdf](https://alisonpouliot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Wombat_Fungus_Guide_POULIOT.pdf)
[https://shop.fungimap.org.au/product-category/foldout-brochures/](https://shop.fungimap.org.au/product-category/foldout-brochures/)
A note of caution: I got nauseous after eating a big bowl of slippery jacks (Suillius luteus) cooked in butter. Anxious research confirmed it wasn't mistaken identity. May have been Alison who said it's because not everyone produces the enzyme (chitinase) needed to digest chitin, which provides the solid structure of mushrooms. Sadly, it put me off slippery jacks for good. Still eat pine mushrooms without a worry, I'm not sure if that means they are less chitiny...
I think I’ve actually read that one, it’s also available as a pdf on her website. Wombat is awesome, got a bunch of turkey tails, lepista nuda and tremella fuciformis last season.
The black hill reserve (ex quarry, now mountain bike tracks) has heaps off mushrooms come autumn. I’m inexpert so not guessing species, but a better informed friend chooses edible varieties to pick from here.
I go to the small plantation where Codes Forest Road intersects with Wallaby Track, and gather milk caps. One hour (in the right season) and you can walk out with a few kilograms.
Open up google maps, Satellite view. Look for pine forests. The two main ones you’ll find are: Saffron milk caps (Lactarius deliciosus) Slippery Jacks (Suillus luteus) It’s not season yet, late Autumn, winter as a rough guide. Not all pine forests are abundant, there is plenty round Creswick way, and also Ballarat/Buninyong. Always good to have a guide, though these two are pretty easy to identify. If you were actually asking about Psilocybin mushrooms, they live in the same place (and around town) A guide is definitely recommended , as there are many similar little brown mushrooms.
I am definitely keen on that last one and live near some pine forests, can't wait to try in the colder months (although it's pretty cold right now tbh)
The one and only one you are looking for is Psilocybe Subaeruginosa. Please do your research, there is plenty out there that explains what you’re looking for. Join an identifying Facebook group, or post on Shroomery ID pages. They are native, so also grow in the bush as well as pines.
I just tend to put this general warning out whenever foraging comes up...be very careful if you forage on council managed land such as roadsides, train tracks, playgrounds, parks, etc. The council routinely sprays pesticide that is toxic to humans in these areas, and half the time don't care what they spray. Stick to foraging in wooded areas and areas unlikely to be as heavily managed for weed and pest control.
Apparently there is some good pine mushrooms out Creswick way near the high school but I'll always put the disclaimer that unless you know 100% that it's the right mushroom, for the love of god don't eat it
High school? Do you mean the school of Forestry?
Idk why I said high school, I meant Creswick nth primary.
I’m a grown ass man who has never tried magic mushrooms and it’s on the list of things to do this year. Is there an online resource for foraging those safety in this area?
There are plenty of online resources even for foraging in Australia, but honestly, best to go foraging with someone you know who knows their stuff. The main rule is if you're unsure of what you've picked, do not eat them.
Linton is a good location, but usually late April early May for Milk Caps and Slippery Jack's, once it gets really cold and there is plenty of moisture around, some wood Bluets can also be found around some of the older growth areas.
Agree that saffron milkcaps (aka pine mushrooms) and slippery jacks are the two main edible varieties in the area. They associate with pine trees. If you're keen to learn more, look for workshops by Alison Pouliot. She did one at Creswick Neighbourhood House that was a heap of fun. She also did the field guide to regional fungi that is available through the local Landcare group for $5 or so. ETA I haven't heard anything about foraging for truffles. There is a place called Black Cat Truffles that offers truffle hunting tours in season.
Wow, thanks for the heads up on the fungi book, I can’t seem to find it, do you have a link. Just pre ordered here underground lovers book.
It's a brochure, not a book - Fungi of the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges. I don't know of a more local version. It covers native fungi only, so not fungi of pine plantations, and not focused on edible fungi. Not much is known about edibility of indigenous fungi, at least to non-Koories. [https://alisonpouliot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Wombat\_Fungus\_Guide\_POULIOT.pdf](https://alisonpouliot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Wombat_Fungus_Guide_POULIOT.pdf) [https://shop.fungimap.org.au/product-category/foldout-brochures/](https://shop.fungimap.org.au/product-category/foldout-brochures/) A note of caution: I got nauseous after eating a big bowl of slippery jacks (Suillius luteus) cooked in butter. Anxious research confirmed it wasn't mistaken identity. May have been Alison who said it's because not everyone produces the enzyme (chitinase) needed to digest chitin, which provides the solid structure of mushrooms. Sadly, it put me off slippery jacks for good. Still eat pine mushrooms without a worry, I'm not sure if that means they are less chitiny...
I think I’ve actually read that one, it’s also available as a pdf on her website. Wombat is awesome, got a bunch of turkey tails, lepista nuda and tremella fuciformis last season.
I got heaps last year around spargo creek
Yep, spargo creek and the wombat state forest definitely a great spot for fungi of all types.
The black hill reserve (ex quarry, now mountain bike tracks) has heaps off mushrooms come autumn. I’m inexpert so not guessing species, but a better informed friend chooses edible varieties to pick from here.
I go to the small plantation where Codes Forest Road intersects with Wallaby Track, and gather milk caps. One hour (in the right season) and you can walk out with a few kilograms.