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Australian Mushroom Identification CourseThis course gives you access to a wide range of tutorial videos from our live mushroom identification lectures given in Newtown, Sydney, Australia. The objective of this course is to teach you how to safely forage and identify common Australian mushrooms. $24.99 |
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"I haven't ever seen a season like this in Australia in terms of the diversity, abundance, and the sheer biomass of fungi out there."1
Would you like to learn how to safely identify common Australian mushrooms?
In this course curated by Mike Bereza (our in-house GPhC licensed pharmacist) based in Sydney, you will learn:
- How to avoid doppelgangers, the toxic look-a-like species. Highlighting mushrooms that are responsible for the most poisonings in Australia: Agaricus xanthodermus (Yellow-staining mushroom), Amanita phalloides (Death Cap) and Omphalotus nidiformis (Ghost Fungus)
- How to spot common edible mushrooms - presented as a lecture via video by our in-house mycologist: "Top 6 Australian edible mushrooms".
- How to forage for mushrooms video - we take you into the forests of Australia via video, showing you where the best places to forage for mushrooms are and when is the best time.
- Online ebook - including our own "short and sweet" reference document about how to identify the most common mushrooms with ease.
- Wide subject range - 100's of fungi species are covered in this course with detailed pictures and videos about going on the hunt.
- Foray maps - want some insider knowledge about where to find the best mushrooms in Australia? Look no further. We have maps galore about how to find the best mushrooms.
- Specialist foray questions - we have been answering questions from student mushroom hunters for decades, we give you a list of all the most common questions and best answers.
- Aboriginal Mushroom Usage - ever wondered whether the Aboriginals used mushrooms for food? We have a detailed history of their historical usage.
- Track your progress - our system allows you to view your previous tests and compare grades with mushroomers.
- Additional resources - useful weblinks, tips and recommended reading - guiding you to the best resources, have a look at our latest Australian Mushroom Identification lecture below:
All of our courses contain blended multimedia learning resources (videos, lectures, multiple-choice questions) and come with the ability to contact our expert mycologist on hand with any questions you may have. Why wait, join today!
Course Reviews
Death cap section potentially saved my life
The emphasis on Amanita phalloides is no joke - I nearly picked one thinking it was a field mushroom until I remembered the course warning about the volva. Mike's pharmacist background really shows in how seriously he treats the toxic species. The Newtown lecture videos are brilliant, feels like you're actually in the room. Aboriginal usage section was fascinating, didn't expect that level of historical detail.
Finally, Australian-specific content!
So tired of northern hemisphere mushroom courses that don't apply here. This course covers our actual season (autumn/winter), our actual species, and our actual toxic risks. The yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus) coverage alone was worth it - those things are everywhere in Melbourne parks. Forest foraging videos show recognizable Aussie landscapes. Worth every cent of the $25.
Great content, could use more SA coverage
Course is excellent but heavily focused on NSW species and locations. The foray maps are mostly eastern states - would love to see more coverage of SA and WA. That said, the foundational identification skills transfer well, and the ghost fungus (Omphalotus nidiformis) section is relevant everywhere. Mike knows his stuff and the pharmacological approach to toxicity is really reassuring.
The Aboriginal history section was eye-opening
Didn't expect to learn about Indigenous Australian mycology but it's genuinely fascinating. Never knew there was documented historical usage. The "Top 6 Australian edible mushrooms" lecture is practical and well-structured. I've successfully ID'd and eaten slippery jacks and saffron milk caps thanks to this course. The doppelganger warnings are appropriately scary - won't be making any risky mistakes.
Excellent value for Aussie foragers
Tasmania has an incredible mushroom season and this course prepared me perfectly. The live lecture format from Newtown gives it a personal touch you don't get with generic online courses. Having a GPhC pharmacist curating the content means the safety information is medical-grade. The progress tracking helped me identify knowledge gaps. Already recommended to my bushwalking club. Best $25 investment in my foraging education.
The expert mycologist access is incredibly valuable
Had a few tricky ID questions about specimens I found in the D'Aguilar Range and got detailed responses within 24 hours. That alone justifies the price. The blended multimedia approach (videos, lectures, quizzes) suits different learning styles. Queensland doesn't have as many mushrooms as the southern states but the principles apply universally. Course taught me to be cautious but confident - perfect balance for a beginner.
References
1ABC News Article published on 14th May 2020. Accessed 16th May 2020 via: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2020-05-12/mushroom-forage-coronavirus-death-cap-poison-hotline/12232412