Explore
Fossicking and prospecting
Kooyoora State Park
Beechworth Historic Park
Reef Hills State Park
Paddys Ranges State Park
Enfield State Park
Kara Kara National Park
Greater Bendigo National Park
Steiglitz Historic Park
Heathcote-Graytown National Park
Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Gold panning, fossicking or prospecting typically involves the use of metal detectors, hand tools, pans or sluices in the search for gold, gemstones and other minerals. Prospecting can be an exciting experience. Many of the world’s largest gold nuggets have been found in the Golden Triangle of central Victoria. Elsewhere, gemstone fossickers have found sapphires, zeolites and agate.
Prospecting Areas Maps
Find out more about where you can go prospecting on Parks Victoria managed land using the prospecting areas maps.
For information on other public land areas, contact the relevant land manager.
- Beechworth Historic Park
- Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
- Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
- Greater Bendigo National Park and Bendigo Regional Park
- Heathcote-Graytown National Park
- Kara Kara National Park
- Kooyoora State Park
- Paddys Ranges State Park
- Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve
Minimum impact prospecting
You can enjoy prospecting and help minimise any impact in the following ways:
- Prospect only in the permitted area.
- Only drive your vehicles on tracks and roads open to the public.
- Only park your vehicle on the roadside.
- Take all rubbish home or place it in a bin where provided. Do not bury it.
- Minimise any damage to vegetation including the ground layer.
- Restore the ground as you found it - backfill any holes you dig and replace any leaf litter as it was as soon as practicable.
Need to know
Fossicking and prospecting
Prospecting permits
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Other issues
Vaughan Springs closed due to flood impact
Vaughan Spring day visitor area is closed due to significant impact from the October flood event. Crews are working hard to assess and reopen flood impacted sites when it is safe to do so. -
Steiglitz Circuit Walk (Brisbane Ranges National Park, Steiglitz Historic Park)
Steiglitz Circuit Walk, one section is closed
A portion of the Steiglitz Circuit Walk is closed. This closure is from Alliance Track to the bridge at Sutherland Creek. Please see attached map. Please use the Steiglitz Durdidwarrah Road to complete the circuit, use caution on the open public road.Attachments: Steiglitz Historic Park walking track closure (182KB)
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Beechworth Historic Park
Gorge Rd Closure - Powder Magazine to Pritchard Lane
The Gorge Road is currently closed for all vehicle access due to safety concerns over the Spring Creek bridge. Pedestrians can access to Gorge Road but are not permitted on the bridge. Further advice will be provided once an engineers assessment has been undertaken. This is expected to be a long-term closure. -
Melville Caves Walking Track
Update - Road Closures at Kooyoora State Park
· The main visitor sites are open at Kooyoora State Park, however the following roads and walking tracks remain closed due to storm damage.· One section of the walking track loop between the picnic area and lookout.· Mount View Road· Kirwan's Road· Back Road· Summit Track -
Melville Caves Lookout (Kooyoora State Park)
Kooyoora Joint Management Visitor upgrades coming
Dear Park Visitors,DJAARA, Joint Management Partners, will commence construction of a new shelter at Melville Caves Lookout from mid-June 2023. Access to the lookout will remain open for visitors during construction.DJAARA are excited to enhance the visitor experience by providing a new and improved facility that will offer a stunning vantage point to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings and look forward to unveiling the new lookout shelter and providing an enhanced experience for all visitors soon.For further information and fact sheet please visit https://djadjawurrung.com.au/resources/We understand that the construction activities may cause some inconvenience during this period and apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.