Mushroom Hunting – Foraging for Fungi in Orange With The Market Cat

If you’re on the hunt to find edible mushrooms in NSW, Orange is the best place to hone your foraging skills. Kate toured with The Market Cat to find those perfect mushies for their next fungi fuelled recipe.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Wiradjuri nation on which this adventure takes place who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants, for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

The Market Cat is a great tour for foraging edible mushrooms in NSW, and exploring the beautiful pine forests of Orange. We spent the afternoon with Robbie, trying our hand at picking Slippery Jacks and Saffron Milk Caps for our next umami meal.

PLEASE NOTE: Mushroom foraging can be dangerous and  requires expert skills and knowledge of mushroom species. Some species that look like edible ones are actually poisonous. Only forage mushrooms for consumption if you or the person you are with have extensive knowledge of fungi.

About Mushroom Foraging in Orange

Just outside of Orange, Canobolas State Forest is a tranquil and underappreciated spot perfect for walking, biking, picnicking, and mushroom foraging.

Unlike the national parks in the area, Canobolas State Forest is a pine plantation. It’s incredibly peaceful and quiet, with the thick pine needles of the forest providing the ultimate soundproofing.

In fact, the introduction of these big pine trees to the region brought along the edible mushrooms we’re hoping to hunt.

Having travelled to Australia in spore form on the roots of imported pines, the mushrooms we’re looking for pop out from under pine needles in humid conditions.

So plan your hunt for some time after rainy days followed by sunshine and warmth, with your best bet being in spring or autumn.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between National Parks and State Forests?

How to Get to Orange

Orange is accessible from Sydney by driving 3.5 hours west or by catching the train from Sydney’s Central Station to Orange.

Where to Stay in Orange?

If you’re heading to Orange for foraging or otherwise, a great spot to stay is at Basalt. These cosy studios are ten minutes from Orange’s town centre and 20 minutes from Canobolas State Forest.

Located in a cherry orchard, the studios provide sweeping views of the valley and come with a private fire pit and telescope to make the most of your evenings.

Where to Eat Near Orange?

Orange is known as the food bowl of NSW. With plenty of fresh local produce and wines to try, you’re spoiled for choice here.

If you’re looking for a delightful breakfast to start your day, I recommend Groundstone Cafe. Groundstone has some awesome brekkie options and excellent coffee to make sure you hit the ground running in Orange.

It’s also right next to Orange Visitors Centre, so if you’re after some inspiration on what else to do in Orange, or if you’d like to purchase some local produce, head there after!

Skill Level

Beginner

The tour with The Market Cat is completely beginner-friendly and teaches future foragers all the basics about mushrooms.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Essential Gear for Mushroom Foraging in Orange

• Warm clothes (It gets cold in the shade!)
• A rain jacket
• Sturdy shoes or even wellies
• A can-do attitude

What it’s Like to Take The Market Cat’s Mushroom Tour

Find Yourself a Guide

I’ve recently fallen in love with podcasts, specifically Ologies by Alie Ward. I honestly hadn’t considered mushroom hunting as a potential hobby until listening to her Mycology episode with Dr Tom Volk.

After, hearing Dr Volk talk about his love of fungi foraging, it became a no-brainer to tag along when the opportunity came up.

Read more: Our New Podcast Series Celebrates Community & Inclusion in the Outdoors

Before trying your hand at mushroom hunting, you’ll need to know several things, especially what mushrooms will kill you and what mushrooms won’t.

For anyone starting out, finding someone familiar with the produce you’re foraging is essential. That’s where Robbie comes in.

If you’re interested in foraged mushrooms in Australia, chances are you may have heard of Robbie Robinson, otherwise known as The Market Cat. Based in Orange, Robbie has been foraging fungi for leading restaurants across Sydney, The Blue Mountains, Canberra, and even for Qantas, since 1985.

He and his wife Nana love everything about foraging for fresh produce, and have loved looking for mushrooms over decades.

We found very quickly that their keen eyes can spot a mushroom emerging from the pine needles from a fair while away.

Mushroom Huntin’

There are two types of mushrooms to keep an eye out for when foraging in Australia. The Saffron Milk Caps (Lactarius deliciosus) are a gorgeous orange mushroom with a top that resembles an autumn leaf and pale gills on the underside. Not to be confused with Rollrim mushrooms which are browner in appearance and toxic.

The other mushroom you’re looking for is a Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus), with a brown top, and spongey pores on the underside.

As Robbie puts it, ‘a Spongebob Squarepants’ kind of mushroom. However, if you’re keen to eat a Slippery Jack, it’s recommended to peel off the darker brown skin on the top of the mushroom as it has a tendency to upset stomachs.

Costs and How to Book

Guided foraging tours can be arranged from March to July, they cost $90pp for foraging only or $130pp for a foraging tour that includes freshly made ramen from the mushrooms in the forest.

Tours can be booked by contacting Robbie Robinson on 0466 581 650 or emailing themarketcat@yahoo.com.

What to do with your foraged mushrooms?

Whilst Robbie suggests substituting either Saffron Milk Caps or Slippery Jacks for any of your button mushroom meals, one of his recommended recipes includes fried mushrooms on toast:

Ingredients:

• Sliced Saffron Milk Cap mushrooms
• Olive oil
• Garlic clove
• Dry white wine
• Fresh garden herbs
• Lemon juice

Method:

1. Slice fresh mushrooms and fry in olive oil with a garlic clove until light brown
2. Add some dry white wine and a mixture of fresh garden herbs and juice from a lemon
3. Cook until the liquid has reduced to a good thick sauce
4. Eat immediately with crusty bread

Tips for Mushroom Foraging in Orange

Before you start foraging edible mushrooms, check out our article How To Forage For Wild Mushrooms, and make sure you find yourself a guide who can tell you what to look for!

FAQs The Market Cat Tours

Where are The Market Cat tours located? 

Orange

How do you get to The Market Cat tours? 

After setting up your tour with Robbie, he’ll let you know of the meeting spot for your tour – it’ll be short drive from Orange’s town centre.

Do I need to book my tour with The Market Cat? 

Bookings are essential and can be arranged by contacting Robbie Robinson on 0466 581 650 or emailing themarketcat@yahoo.com.

When is the best time of year to take a Market Cat tours? 

Tours operate from March to July but are dependent on mushroom growth.

Are The Market Cat tours good for beginners? 

The tour with The Market Cat is completely beginner-friendly and shows you all the basics.

Are The Market Cat tours free? 

Tours cost $90pp for foraging only or $130pp for a foraging tour that includes freshly made ramen from the mushrooms in the forest.