Fossicking and prospecting

    This area has additional visitor advice This area has reported issues This area is closed

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    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.

     

    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

    A Miner's Right is a permit for prospecting in Victoria and must be carried at all times while you are prospecting. The only exception is if you are part of an organised group prospecting under the authority of a valid Tourist Fossicking Authority. The Mineral Resources Development Act 1990 sets out the rights and obligations of the holder of a Miner's Right.

     

    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.

    • 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)

    • 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.

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