'Ghost mushroom' season draws out droves of photographersABy Adriane ReardonABC South East NSWTopic:Fungi1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 9:18pmA ghost mushroom in Merimbula snapped by photographer Peter Harris. (Supplied: Peter Harris)In short:Ghost mushrooms are lighting up forests on the New South Wales south coast at night.Why the fungi glow is still a mystery.What's next?The public is urged not to touch or eat the poisonous mushrooms.abc.net.au/news/ghost-mushrooms-light-up-forests-across-nsw-south-coast/105253114Link copiedShareShare articleIt's that time of year when glowing fungi are on full display for photographers brave enough to wander in the pitch-black to find them in forests on the New South Wales south coast.During the daytime, the bioluminescent fungi look like an average mushroom.But at night, they emit an unusual glow."We've been seeing them incidentally all over the place, anywhere between Tathra and down to Victoria," said Wallagoot resident Tera Rickards."I just think mushrooms are beautiful. I always have to stop and take photos of them."This is what a ghost mushroom looks like in the daytime. (Supplied: Tera Rickards)Ghost mushrooms at night. (Supplied: Tera Rickards)Autumn is the ideal time to spot ghost mushrooms, which grow on rotting wood.To the naked eye, and on a dark night without strong moonlight, the mushrooms can be seen faintly glowing.But photographers often use long-exposure techniques to highlight their bioluminescence.A particular cluster of them based at the popular Mitchies Jetty in Merimbula has excited locals and photographers alike.Ghost mushrooms found at popular swimming spot Mitchies Jetty in Merimbula. (Supplied: Karen Regan)"They remind me of that movie Avatar, and how everything in the forest is bioluminescent," Ms Rickards said."There seems to be a lot growing at the moment."Mystery glowIt's still a mystery why the fungi, formally known as Omphalotus nidiformis, glow.A Brazil study theorised that the light from the mushrooms was used to attract insects, but researchers from South Australia have hypothesised that the glow could be a by-product of metabolism.Carol Spencer captured these ghost mushrooms in Tura Beach, NSW. (Supplied: Carol Spencer)Junior visiting research fellow at the University of NSW Grace Boxshall, who studies Australian native fungi, said ghost mushrooms were common to spot in south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.In NSW, they're known to pop up in the Belango State Forest, the Blue Mountains, the Illawarra and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park."They're so stunning that I want to think there's a purpose behind the glow," she said."You'll be able to see them faintly, depending on how well your eyes have adjusted to the dark."They put on a show for us all."Khynan Gardner took these photos at Seven Mile Beach National Park, Gerroa. (Supplied: Khynan Gardner)Don't eat themAlthough they look similar to an oyster mushroom during the day, ghost mushrooms are poisonous and must not be consumed.The public are urged to only observe them and not pick them, especially from national parks.Karen Regan photographed these ghost mushrooms at Bournda National Park. (Supplied: Karen Regan)Ms Boxshall said other photogenic mushrooms include pixie's parasol, a petite, blue fungi, as well as Nargan's bonnet, which has a dark-brown cap."It's the perfect time of year to go looking for mushrooms," she said."Fungi enjoy cool nights, warm days and sufficient moisture for them not to dry out."Who doesn't love finding a glowing mushroom?"Mushrooms in Tura Beach and Merimbula. (Supplied: Peter Harris)ABC South East NSW — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each ThursdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 9:18pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesIsrael is keeping up its blockade of aid as kids starve to deathTopic:WarPhoto shows A small baby in a pink onesie sleeps on a blue and yellow blanket.India-Pakistan ceasefire breaks down hours after truce announcedTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarPhoto shows Two soldiers walk down a path next to people taking photos on the banks of a riverHow Australia's biggest pokies dynasty is rewriting its legacyTopic:GamblingPhoto shows Len Ainsworth poses for a portrait at a table in a dark room with poker machines behind him.Harry, Charles and the grief dilemma tearing apart the royal familyTopic:RoyaltyPhoto shows An older man and two younger men Soviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 plunges to Earth after 53 years in orbitTopic:SpacecraftPhoto shows A small circular spacecraftRelated storiesGhost mushroom disappearing act throws attraction's future into doubt Topic:ForestsPhoto shows Two bioluminescent mushrooms glowing green at nightThese mushrooms glow in the dark, but why is a 'baffling, magical' mysteryTopic:PlantsPhoto shows a glowing mushroom, with its gills coloured in blue and greenRelated topicsBourndaEnvironmentFungiGerroaMerimbulaPhotographyTura BeachWollongongTop StoriesIsrael is keeping up its blockade of aid as kids starve to deathTopic:WarPhoto shows A small baby in a pink onesie sleeps on a blue and yellow blanket.India-Pakistan ceasefire breaks down hours after truce announcedTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarHow Australia's biggest pokies dynasty is rewriting its legacyTopic:GamblingHarry, Charles and the grief dilemma tearing apart the royal familyTopic:RoyaltySoviet spacecraft Kosmos 482 plunges to Earth after 53 years in orbitTopic:SpacecraftJust InTasmanian poppy processor taps into weight-loss drug marketTopic:Pharmaceuticals12m ago12 minutes agoSat 10 May 2025 at 10:17pmItalian crowd compares Sinner's victorious return to pope's ascentTopic:Tennis33m ago33 minutes agoSat 10 May 2025 at 9:56pmAfter 40 years calling the Sunshine Coast home, Narelle has been forced out Topic:Housing Policy37m ago37 minutes agoSat 10 May 2025 at 9:52pmLey's leadership push met with mixed response in home electorateTopic:Political Leadership50m ago50 minutes agoSat 10 May 2025 at 9:39pmMore Just InBack to top