Explore
Fossicking and prospecting
Kooyoora State Park
Enfield State Park
Beechworth Historic Park
Wychitella N.C.R.
Reef Hills State Park
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Kara Kara National Park
Heathcote-Graytown National Park
Paddys Ranges State Park
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Greater Bendigo National Park
Steiglitz Historic 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.
- Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage 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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Beechworth Historic Park
Closure of a section of Lake Sambell to Lake Kerferd Walking Track
A section of the Lake Sambell to Lake Kerferd walking track in Beechworth Historic Park has been closed for safety reasons.An engineering assessment completed on the track recommended immediate closure. The inspection identified serious safety concerns relating to abandoned mine shafts.The track provides access from Lake Kerferd to Lake Sambell in Beechworth. The rest of the track remains open. Signage is in place to notify visitors of the closure.Further assessments including geotechnical investigations are being undertaken to determine risk mitigation options and funding estimates. A timeline for completion of these is not yet available.Closure of section of Lake Sambell to Lake Kerferd Walking Track
A section of the Lake Sambell to Lake Kerferd Walking track (between Gee Road and Silver Creek Caravan Park) in Beechworth Historic Park has been closed for safety reasons.An engineering assessment completed on the track recommended immediate closure. The inspection identified serious safety concerns relating to abandoned mine shafts.The rest of the track remains open. Signage is in place to notify visitors of the closure. -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Stay safe this summer around waterfalls
It is not safe to swim under or near waterfalls. The pool at the base of a waterfall can be deep and very cold with the risk of hypothermia, and the force of the falling water can cause difficulties for even strong swimmers. Rocks around waterfalls are often wet and slippery so it is easy to slip and fall in the water or down a cliff, leading to serious injuries. Always heed warning signs and advice even if you are not planning to go in the water and be aware of changing weather conditions. Stay behind safety barriers around waterfalls –they are there to keep you safe.