Hey all!

This is a bit of a random trip to propose, but as a biochemistry student, I’ve recently been studying the mechanics for bioluminescence, and after seeing the bioluminescent phytoplankton in Tasmania last year, I’m low key obsessed with it. Through my course I’ve learnt that there is a bioluminescent fungi known as the “Ghost Mushroom” (either Omphalotus nidiformis or Panellus stipticus, I dunno which one is there) that is native to parts of Victoria, and as luck would have it, they are active during May/June! 

The main place to find them in Victoria is in the Chiltern - Mt Pilot National Park, which, being close to the Alpine National Park, also has beautiful scenery and walks! So this trip is really just an excuse to get out of the city, see some of the beautiful countryside, and hopefully hunt down the elusive bioluminescent fungi!

It is essential that all participants realise that we will be outdoors camping in winter time, which comes with the risk of cold and wet weather conditions, so participants must be aware of the risks posed by these conditions and must have appropriate cold weather gear and water proof gear to come on this trip (gear can be hired from the club if you do not have some of the required gear). We will discuss these risks and provide participants with a gear list that will be essential to come on this trip at the meeting, but if you have any concerns before the meeting, feel free to send me an email through my committee email:

Trip numbers will also be dependent on cars, because I don’t have a car, I will be prioritising trip spots for those who can offer theirs.

Some of the fungi photographed in the Chiltern forest for inspo!

The Plan:

Saturday 12th July

• Leave the clubrooms around (time TBC), drive from the clubrooms to the Woolshed rd / Warners Track intersection, stopping in one of the towns on the way for lunch (3 hours + faff).

• Park the cars by the side of the track and walk the Mt Sugarloaf loop via warners track - 10.1km, 353m elevation, 3 hours (estimate). (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/victoria/mount-sugarloaf-via-warners-track)

• After the hike, driving to Tuan free campgrounds to set up our tents and chill until dark.

• After the sun has set, make our way to Honeyeater picnic area and walk the White Box walking track via Ballarat road - 4.4km, 97m elevation gain, 1 hour (estimate), keeping our eyes peeled for some bioluminescent fungi! (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/victoria/white-box-walking-track-via-ballarat-road)

• Afterwards, return to the campsites, cooking dinner and getting some shut eye

Depending on the conditions, the camp site has fire pits, so if we bring firewood, we may be able to have a campfire.

Sunday 13th July

• Get up early, pack up tents and drive to the Yeddonba picnic site.

• Walk the Mt Pilot, Yeddonba Bailai and green break tracks - 12.6km, 418m elevation gain, 4 hours (estimate) (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/australia/victoria/mount-pilot-yeddonba-bailai-and-green-break-tracks).

• We’ll most likely stop at the summit of Mt Pilot, have lunch, enjoy the views, before finishing the loop, returning down the cars and heading back to melbourne.

So get keen!