Gold panning

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    Fossicking and prospecting

    Steiglitz Historic Park

    Beechworth Historic Park

    Wychitella N.C.R.

    Paddys Ranges State Park

    Heathcote-Graytown National Park

    Reef Hills State Park

    Kooyoora State Park

    Kara Kara National Park

    Enfield State Park

    Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park

    Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

    Greater Bendigo National 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 propsecting 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.

    • Surface Point Picnic Area (Enfield State Park)

      Road closures and Surface Point Picnic Area closure

      The two bridges that cross Misery Creek in the Enfield State Park are being replaced. During this time Misery Creek Rd, Berringa-Misery Creek Rd (east of Long Gully Road) and Surface Point Picnic Area will be closed to the public. The works are expected to be completed by the end of May 2020. Temporarily, all loop walking tracks utilising the bridges (Enfield Loop Track, Surface Point-Long Gully Loop Track and Surface Point Loop Track) are now one-way walking tracks, and walkers need to back-track on themselves. Searle’s Loop will remain fully open. Please keep this in mind when setting out on a hike.

      Attachments: Enfield SP_A1 (440KB)

    • Wychitella N.C.R.

      Partial Park Closure - Planned Burning

      Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA advise that the following planned burn will be carried out Friday 27 March 2020 to Thursday 2 April 2020, weather conditions permitting:

      Wedderburn - Holts Lane, Fuel reduction burn, 192 hectares,  located at 3km SSW of Wedderburn

       
      The area of the burn is closed to public access.

    • Steiglitz Historic Park

      Closures due to COVID-19

      At the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, Parks Victoria has closed all buildings in the Steiglitz Historic Area until further notice. Check our COVID-19 update for the latest information, and follow the health advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.

    • Heathcote-Graytown National Park

      Advice for visitors

      An environmental program to control feral goats will be conducted intermittently from early March to the end of June 2020. Signs will advise visitors to remain on tracks whilst professional shooters are operating.

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