Oberon Mushroom Picking
Have you taken the family foraging for wild mushrooms at all? Did you know that there are many edible mushrooms in the pine forests near Oberon, just over the Blue Mountains?
Here’s our story of a wonderful day out in the pine forests.
Below you will find all the practical details you need if you would like to follow in our family’s foraging footsteps.
The twins loved this day out, here they are finding a mushroom beneath the fir needles in the State Forests near Oberon.
Andy and Amy are dear old pals, we met pre-kids when we were groovy young TV producers at BBC Scotland. Not a child or mushroom in sight. You can see the video they made on the day – starring my wee lass – at the end of this article.
First of all, we went to Oberon Visitor Information Centre, where the very helpful lady behind the counter gave us a map with advice on exactly where to go.
She also told us about the two types of mushroom which are edible and found in the forests.
There are photos and video of the two types of mushrooms to study.
Which Edible Exotic Mushroom Can You Find Near Oberon?
Saffron Milk Cap (Lactarius Deliciosus) has a very colourful orange top with distinct pink gills on the underside.
Slippery Jack (Boletus Portentosus or Suillus Luteus) has a brown top with yellow gills that like sponge underneath.
These mushrooms are European and came over when the fir trees did. The Saffron Milk Caps are especially highly prized.
We had been given a map at the Oberon Visitor Information Centre with good spots marked on it.
We decided on the southern area and drove there. We turned into the State Forest and randomly parked at the side of the road.
We walked into the forest and started hunting.
Early finds were not very promising.
However, we soon started to spot mushrooms of both types. We had brought a knife and some buckets. It’s best to cut the stalks quite high on the stem.
Our friend Amy who is a video producer/director, working at Itchy Feet Digital, has made this short video about mushroom foraging.
This tells you everything you need to know about foraging for mushrooms in the pine forests around Oberon in autumn.
It’s only three minutes, click below.
Mushroom Hunting in Oberon, NSW
Once home, I peeled the skin from the Slippery Jacks (which you absolutely need to do) and sauted both types of mushroom in butter and then added white wine and creme fraiche. Guaranteed yum.
Mushroom Foraging in Oberon NSW: What You Need To Know
When Is Mushroom Season?
From February to late May
Oberon Visitor Information Centre
48 Ross St, Oberon NSW 2787
Phone: 02 6329 8210
Read more about mushroom picking around Oberon on the tourist information website here. Updated info will be here plus top tips. This page is a must-read.
Getting to Oberon
Distance from Sydney to Oberon: 280 kilometres, about three hours (though journeys always take longer when you have kids.)
Katoomba to Oberon: 80 kilometres, taking approx 1 hour 15 – 30 minutes
I wouldn’t do this as a day trip from Sydney with kids. But Oberon is a terrific place for a weekend away, or makes a good day trip from the Blue Mountains or Orange or Bathurst.
Other Things To Do In And Around Oberon
There are many lovely things to do nearby, notably the majestic Jenolan Caves.
Check out the excellent Oberon Tourism Information website here.
Where To Stay In and Around Oberon
We didn’t stay in Oberon, but when we do one day, I’ll be calling Yarrabin Holiday Ranch first. It looks a fabulous place, and we love horses.
Look for bargains in and around Oberon on Booking.com here:
Booking.com
Oberon Map
If you are interested in organised foraging trips around Sydney, have a look at Diego Bonetto’s website here.
Have you ever taken your kids foraging for wild food?
If you are interested in fruit picking around Sydney see our month-by-month guide here.
This article was originally published in April 2017, it was updated on the date below.
