A celebration of the world of fungi is taking place across Tasmania this month (June), as the inaugural Tasmanian Mushroom Festival gets under way with a packed calendar of events.
From mushroom-inspired art and photography to foraging walks, storytelling sessions, and gourmet tastings, the festival brings together mushroom growers, artists, authors, foragers, and chefs – anyone who is interested in fungi.
One of the events was the Tasmanian Mushroom Festival Field Day, held at Spring Bay Mill in Triabunna on Sunday 8 June.
The event featured fungi-themed children’s activities, craft stalls, cupcakes, mushroom dishes, workshops, and guest speaker talks.
Among the speakers was Kim Ogden of Elysian Landscape and Nature Photography, whose passion for fungi has shaped her life and business.
“Fungi just caught me and is now my passion – so much so that I have a gallery and gift shop that is solely fungi,” she said.
“It’s always a joy to talk about two of my greatest passions, nature and photography, and how, when they’re combined, they can open up a whole world of wonderful [things for] families and children.”
Ogden acknowledged that fungi might not seem like the most obvious choice for a family day out because they’re small and easy to miss – but she said “that’s exactly the point.”
“[Fungi] invite us to slow down, to look closer, to tune into the details of the world around us. Often we get so busy and we’re all looking at the big picture – but with fungi, there’s none of that. You have to be in the zone. You have to be breathing. You have to be present to be able to find them. This act of really slowing down is very powerful.”
Ogden also referred to the “growing research” that links time spent in nature with reduced stress and anxiety in both adults and children – something she sees first-hand when guiding family members and photography students through the bush.
“[And] fungi have a special twist,” she added.
“Because they’re so hidden and ephemeral, you need to be fully present to find them.”
She said photography can deepen that presence – especially for children.
“When you bring a camera into it, children learn not to just look at fungi, but to see them. Suddenly, the forest floor becomes a place of treasure. You’re no longer walking through nature, you’re immersed in it.”
She said that being fully surrounded by nature can often help people better understand nature and the environment.
“[You learn] that beauty isn’t always big and bold,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s tiny, fragile and hidden behind a leaf. This brings a strong foundation for environmental stewardship. [Children can] grow up caring not just about the popular parts of nature, but the whole web of life.”
The Tasmanian Mushroom Festival continues throughout June. For event details and bookings, visit the official website.
Callum J. Jones studied English, History and Journalism at the University of Tasmania and lived in western Sydney from 2022 to 2024 while working as a journalist for Professional Planner, a leading online publication for financial planners. He has written for Tasmanian Times since 2018 and has also been published in a range of other outlets, including Quadrant and the BAD Western Sydney anthologies.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
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