Wild edible mushroom foraging for beginners - Southern Highlands

Join us for a magical day out in the State Forest. Following in the footsteps of Italian and Polish families, wild crafters and gourmet food enthusiasts, for a fantastic seasonal treat, pine mushrooms!

Your foraging guide Diego Bonetto who has 20+ years of teaching this skill under his belt, will take you on a wild food adventure in the pine forest, uncovering the details of where to look, when to move and how to harvest edible pine mushrooms. You’ll even get to taste these seasonal treats and learn how to preserve your bounty during our cooking session with Marnee Fox.

This is a hands-on workshop for beginners, specifically designed for those with no previous mushroom foraging experience. We will focus on the two most desirable edible species, Saffron milkcaps and Slipperies. You will learn the fundamentals of what we are hunting for, where to find them, and when to move. While we hope to find baskets full of delicious mushrooms for all, you’ll need to get your mushroom eyes ready for spotting them on the forest floor. Part treasure hunt, part ecological awakening, this experience is like no other. The activity has been treasured for generations by eastern European and Mediterranean cultures in Australia, making it a seasonal must-do to share stories and recipes.

WHEN: Sunday 26th of May, 9 am-1 pm

WHERE: Penrose State Forest, NSW- The exact location will be disclosed to ticket holders a few days before the event.

Please be aware that this is a self-drive workshop and we will be driving on unsealed roads at times. The forest tracks are suitable for city cars but not ideal for low-riding sports cars.

COST:

$130 Adult
$95 Underemployed/Child/Concession

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE FINALISING YOUR BOOKING.

This is an all-weather event. We will only cancel the outing in case of heavy rain or dangerously gusty winds, via email and phone call 2 days before the date, offering a place on another tour. 

Refund Policy: Due to the nature of the event, we will not issue any refunds for unused tickets sold. Please make sure you are available to attend before you finalise your booking. 

Reschedule Policy: If you need to reschedule we can offer you a Gift Voucher up to four weeks (4) before the event. This voucher can be used against any workshop of the same value, and is valid for three years. If less than four weeks’ notice is given you can pass on the ticket to someone else.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Great company

• A wild food hunt in the magical pine forest

• We will visit 2/3 different locations

• Learn how to cook + preserve your bounty with recipes to follow in your inbox

• To taste mouthwatering mushroomy treats

• Too many mushrooms to carry? We can provide a box to take home your excess loot!

• To be back in the city by 4 pm

WHAT TO BRING:

• Suitable clothing (it gets cold in the forest)

• Sturdy hiking boots or gumboots.

• Long pants, to ward off scratches from blackberries and kisses from leeches

• Water and snacks

• A knife and a basket (a wicker basket is best, you find them in Op shops)

• Your camera

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ABOUT YOUR GUIDE:
Diego has been pioneering the edible mushroom workshops in NSW, empowering people with the ancient skills of foraging for food for over 20 years. Diego is a wild edibles advocate, most famous for his offering of urban foraging workshops. Building on the knowledge acquired while growing up on a farm in Italy, Diego introduces people to the ever-present food and medicine plants that surround us. He collaborates extensively with chefs, herbalists, environmentalists, and cultural workers promoting a new understanding of what the environment has to offer.

Diego is the author of the bestselling book Eat Weeds: A Field Guide to Foraging
Check a media review of Diego's works here>

Marnee Fox is a self-confessed weed and wild food convert. After shacking up with husband and wild food master Diego, the interior stylist and ex-working chef began experimenting with foraged ingredients. ‘Forage to Feast’ was born and Marnee now offers seasonal ‘Foodies Forage’ workshops that also cover eco dinner party styling, wild food sourcing, and menu design. As her confidence and joy for gathering and using wild mushrooms grew, Marnee jumped on board the autumnal train and now runs a mushroom-focused cooking and tasting session that’s now built into Diego’s much-loved Mushroom workshops. Yuuuuuuum!

This workshop is a registered activity with the Forestry Corporation of NSW and we are in constant contact to find out roads and forest conditions, ensuring the best experience for all guests.

TESTIMONIALS

“Diego,
I absolutely loved Sunday’s Mushroom Trip :)
I was an avid wild-crafter back in my homeland, Michigan and have deeply missed that sense of connection since moving to Australia a few months ago.
Thank-you so much for introducing that simple magic into a new immigrant’s life.
- Felecia, 2012

A loot! Thank you Diego for the knowledge 4 years ago. Still going strong each year :)
- Csilla, 2014

Hi Diego,
Julian and I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for your very informative workshop last Saturday at the State Forest. We thoroughly enjoyed the morning/day and I feel confident now to cook the Saffron Milk Caps and Slippery Jacks that grow under our pine trees on our property.
Many thanks again,
- Prue, 2021”

Absolutely love this experience and Diego's knowledge, personality and philosophy. Will be back for more!
In our group every single person came back with a basket FULL TO THE BRIM. Every single person!
- Dimitri, 2022

Frequent Asked Questions

Are we going to be harvesting mushrooms?
Yes! You will be guided through the identification steps and then you will have plenty of chances to try your skills in the forest. We will check your bag and confirm your bounty.

Are we going to scramble in the wilderness?
Yes, we will be walking in the pine forest. There is no hard scrambling but there are sticks on the floor, blackberry groves, and wombat holes. Watch your step!

Is this suitable for elderly people or less mobile people?
Unfortunately, this particular workshop is not suitable for less mobile people. Please check the other workshops as they are better suited.

Can we try the mushrooms?
Yes, we will offer a tasting of pine mushrooms fried up in oil and garlic in the forest + a selection of pre-cooked treats to showcase the range of possibilities.

What mushrooms are we learning about?
We will cover three edible varieties: Saffron milk-cap, Slippery jack and Slippery jills. If you would like to learn about other varieties please join one of our masterclasses.

Can I come with my dog?
Yes, as long as is well-behaved and respectful of the other guests and wildlife.

What if it looks like it’s going to rain on the day?
Rain is good, and we need it for a hearty mushroom season. If there is a chance of rain I will let you know but we will go ahead, just bring some wet weather gear such as an umbrella. If the forecast is for torrential rain or very strong wind I will cancel the workshop and either refund your ticket or move your booking to another date.

What if I change my mind or can no longer attend?
Please make sure you can attend before finalising your booking. I understand that unexpected events happen, so in case you can no longer come, pass on your ticket to a friend. See this as when you buy a concert ticket. If you cannot go anymore, give a present to someone you know would enjoy it.

Can I ask specific questions on the workshop?
Absolutely. I love questions and if you have any burning ones just let me know in advance or on the day and I will endeavour to provide you with answers or follow up with links that would help in your quest.

As recommended by:

We acknowledge the Dharawal people as the original custodians of the land where this workshop will take place and pay our respect to elders past, present and future.
May your wisdom thrive and guide us.