Peak fungi season in Pemberton and the surrounding Southern Forests runs through winter, especially June–August, when the cool, wet conditions bring out the biggest variety of wild mushrooms and coincide with the region’s major truffle events.

Best months: late May to August Cool, wet forest floors + deep shade = ideal conditions for colourful fungi across the Karri forests, river trails, and waterfall gullies.

You’ll commonly see:

Tiny cup fungi and moss‑loving species

Bright Amanitas (red, yellow, orange)

Coral fungi

Bracket fungi on fallen logs

Ghost fungi (bioluminescent, usually winter nights)

Best Places to Spot Fungi

You’ll find mushrooms throughout the Karri forest, but some standout areas include:

• The Cascades – damp gullies with excellent fungi diversity.
• Big Brook Dam – easy-access trails with plenty of forest floor growth.
• Around Aerial Adventure Pemberton – known for scattered wild mushrooms.
• Beedelup Falls and the surrounding forest (part of Greater Beedelup National Park) sit in a region that receives over 1000 mm of rain annually. These conditions trigger the annual fungi season.
• Pemberton Pool and the old Trout Hatchery area are excellent fungi‑spotting locations because they sit in cool, shaded Karri forest with damp soil, moss, and plenty of decaying wood.
• Warren National Park has been described as a “world of weird and wonderful fungi” thanks to its old‑growth Karri forest, high rainfall, and deep, shaded river valleys. The Warren River Loop Trail is specifically noted for its moss‑covered logs, bridges, and interesting fungi along the riverbanks.
• Northcliffe Forest Park a magnificent reserve bordering the townsite, containing old‑growth Karri, Marri, Jarrah/Marri mixes, and wetland vegetation.
• Trails Behind the Northcliffe Catholic Church a network of short forest trails with dense leaf litter and moist soil. Excellent for spotting small cup fungi, boletes, and coral fungi.
• Windy Harbour & D’Entrecasteaux National Park (Coastal Heath) the coastal heath between Windy Harbour, Cathedral Beach, and Point D’Entrecasteaux produces different species from the forests.
• Boorara–Gardner National Park Located 17 km southeast of Northcliffe, this park contains majestic Karri and Marri forest. Full of wildflowers and fungi in season. The Lane Poole Falls trail (5 km return) is especially good for fungi enthusiasts.

Safety & Ethics

• Do not pick or eat wild mushrooms. Many toxic species closely resemble edible ones.
• Stick to trails to avoid damaging fragile fungal networks.
• Photography is encouraged — macro lenses help with identification.

Thank you to https://forestfungi.com.au/ for the images.