• Fossicking and prospecting

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Gold Panning, Fossicking and Prospecting

Gold panning, fossicking and prospecting typically involves the use of metal detectors, hand tools, pans and sluices in the search for gold, gemstones and other minerals.

Prospecting can be an exciting experience that can be enjoyed alone or with a group, and there's no better place to do it than Victoria with 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, agate, and a whole host of other beautiful gems just waiting to be uncovered.

A tour group learns to pan for gold

Find gold with a Licensed Tour Operator

There’s no better way to step back in time and explore Victoria’s Gold Rush history by joining a Parks Victoria Licensed Tour Operator and experiencing the thrill of gold panning and fossicking for yourself. Click here for more information.

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.

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.

Heritage Act 2017

Under the terms of the Heritage Act 2017  it is an offence to damage or disturb a place listed on the Victorian Heritage Register unless a Permit has been obtained from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria (or a permit exemption applies).  

You can view details of places included in the Heritage Register on the Victorian Heritage Database website.

The Heritage Act also provides protection for all historical archaeological sites in Victoria, including sites that are not recorded on any statutory registers or listings. It is an offence to disturb any archaeological site, or remove objects (artefacts) from a site.  

Prospectors should be aware that the holding of a Victorian miner’s right allows them to prospect and fossick for gold, gemstones and other minerals in Victoria but does not confer any rights in relation to the requirements of the Heritage Act 2017. Read more about the protection of archaeological sites and objects in Victoria on the Heritage Victoria website.

Aboriginal cultural heritage

Aboriginal cultural heritage is the continuing record of Victoria's Aboriginal societies, who have existed in this land for tens of thousands of years. It is not just a remnant of history. It's alive, and constantly changing and evolving – often expressed through cultural traditions that have been reclaimed and revitalised in a contemporary setting.

Protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage is not just fundamental for Aboriginal peoples' identity and wellbeing. It's also an important part of Victoria's heritage as a whole – our shared story of how we have grown and evolved as a society. Parks Victoria is committed to protecting and preserving Aboriginal cultural heritage across the parks estate in Victoria.

All Aboriginal cultural heritage is protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.) (the Act). If you come across any Aboriginal cultural heritage, Section 24 of the Act requires that the discovery of Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects be reported to the First Peoples – State Relations as soon as practicable. It is an offence under Section 27 of the Act, to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage and under Section 28 to do an act that harms or is likely to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage. See more information about First Peoples State Relations role and Aboriginal cultural heritage and you can find out more about reporting Aboriginal places or objects.

Parks where you can fossick and prospect

General park information Prospecting area maps
Beechworth Historic Park Beechworth Historic Park prospecting guide (PDF 2 MB)
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park prospecting guide (PDF 10.5 MB)
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park prospecting guide (PDF 4.6 MB)
Greater Bendigo National Park and Bendigo Regional Park Greater Bendigo National Park and Bendigo Regional Park prospecting guide (3.8 MB)
Heathcote-Graytown National Park Heathcote-Graytown National Park prospecting guide (PDF 7.6 MB)
Kara Kara National Park Kara Kara National Park prospecting guide (PDF 4.9 MB)
Steiglitz Historic Park Not available.
Kooyoora State Park Kooyoora State Park prospecting guide (PDF 7.1 MB)
Paddys Ranges State Park Paddys Ranges State Park prospecting guide (PDF 2 MB)
Warrandyte State Park
 Warrandyte State Park prospecting guide (PDF 539 kB)
Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve prospecting guide (PDF 6.9 MB)

View the Change of Conditions park alerts from these parks before you visit:

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.

  • Reef Hills Picnic Ground (Reef Hills State Park)

    Reef Hills State Park - Planned Burn Operations - Closed areas

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in Reef Hills State Park which will result in Track closures including Roes Rd and part Centre Rd from 10am 29th March until the area is declared safe.  Check the status of current panned burns at  https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/ 

    Reef Hills - Planned Burning Operations - Areas Closed

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in Reef Hills State Park which will result in Track closures including Reef Hills Rd, Four Mile Rd, Rifle Range Rd, Double Gates Rd, Wattle Rd and Tower Rd from 10am 30th March until the area is declared safe.  Check the status of current panned burns at  https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/  

  • Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

    Loop track closed due to Phytophthora outbreak

    Loop access will have limited vehicle access to reduced the risk of spread of phytophthora cinnamomi pathogen. 

    Planned burn - up and down track

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park which will result in part of the park being closed from the time the burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. 
     
    Burn name:               LM-MGF-CAS-0627- Glenlyon - Up and Down Track. Size: 11ha (in park). Location: 4.6km N of Glenlyonl   
    Scheduled date:      Sunday 22 March and Monday 23 March, subject to favourable weather conditions.
     
    For more information

    Attachments: LM-MGF-CAS-0627-Glenlyon Up and Down Track (441KB)

    Planned burn - Moonlight Flat - The Folly Track

    Hi everyone,
     
    Planned burning operations are scheduled in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park which will result in part of the park being closed from the time the burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. 
     
    Burn name:              LM-MGF-CAS - 0888 - Moonlight Flat - The Folly Track. Size: 98ha. Location: 0.5km E of Moonlight Flat   
    Scheduled date:      Tuesday 31 March, subject to favourable weather conditions.
     
    For more information

    Attachments: LM-MGF-CAS-0888 Moonlight Flat - The Folly Tk_Neighbour Letter_Autumn 2026 (443KB)

    Planned burn 3km East of Guilford

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park which will result in part of the park being closed from the time the burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. 
     
    Burn name:              LM-MGF-CAS- 1717 - Guildford-Burgoyne St. Size: 24ha. Location: 3km East of Guildford   
    Scheduled date:      Tues 31 March - Sat 4 April, subject to favourable weather conditions.
     
    For more information

    Attachments: LM-MGF-CAS-0717 Guildford-Burgoyne St_Neighbour Letter_Autumn 2026 (470KB)

  • Paddy's Ranges Camping Area (Paddys Ranges State Park)

    Paddys Rangers Camping Area closed for upgrade works

    Paddy's Ranges State Park Camping Area is closed from the 8th October 2025 until further notice for public safety while upgrade works campground undergoes upgrades to modernise and increase the accessibility of the sites facilities and amenities, provide a communal shelters, build a new toilet block and create more designated camping site.

    The near by Settling Ponds Track Picnic Area, also in Paddy's Ranges State Park is open to the public for day visits and has a recently constructed toilets for use.

  • Greater Bendigo National Park

    Planned burn - Big Hill

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in the Greater Bendigo National Park which will result in part of the park being closed from the time the burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. 
     
    Burn name:            LM-MGF-ING- 0466- Big Hill High Level Track. Size: 68ha. Location: 1.5km SW of Big Hill   
    Scheduled date:    Saturday 14 March – Saturday 21 March 2026, subject to favourable weather conditions.
     
    For more information

    Attachments: LM-MGF-BGO-0466_Big Hill - High Level Tk_Neighbour_Autumn 2026 (510KB)

    Planned burn - Big Hill

    Planned burning operations are scheduled in the Greater Bendigo National Park which will result in part of the park being closed from the time the burn is approved for ignition until the area is declared safe. 
     
    Burn name:               LM-MGF-ING–0466 – Big Hill High Level Track. Size: 68ha. Location: 1.5km SW of Big Hill   
    Scheduled date:      Sunday 22 March - Saturday 28 March, subject to favourable weather conditions.
     
    For more information

    Attachments: LM-MGF-BGO-0466 Big Hill (512KB)

  • Beechworth Historic Park

    Spring Creek Bridge Closed

    Spring Creek Bridge is closed to all vehicles and pedestrians due to significant damage from storm and flood events.

    Pedestrian and bicycle access is permitted to either side of the bridge via Gorge Road, however there is currently no through access.

    More information is available within the attached 'Spring Creek Bridge Closure - Update for Beechworth Community'

    Attachments: Spring Creek Bridge Closure - Update for Beechworth Community #6 - October 2025 (538KB)

More to discover

 
A mother, father and their two young daughts gaze out at the sea from the lookout point of the lighthouse.

Historic sites

Journey back in time and visit some of the historic buildings of post European settlement in Australia, including huts, mansions and lighthouses.

Aboriginal heritage

Learn more about the culture, history and contemporary aspirations of the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of our land.
A couple looks on at a Wombat on Wilsons Promontory National Park,

Wildlife viewing

Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,
The lighthouse at Cape Otway in the Otway National Park.

Lighthouses

Learn about the seafaring past of Victoria's rugged and unforgiving coastline at marine and maritime exhibits and sites.
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