Fossicking and prospecting

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    Fossicking and prospecting

    Kooyoora State Park

    Enfield State Park

    Paddys Ranges State Park

    Beechworth Historic Park

    Kara Kara National Park

    Heathcote-Graytown National Park

    Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve

    Steiglitz Historic Park

    Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

    Reef Hills State Park

    Chiltern-Mt Pilot National 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 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.

    • Melville Caves Walking Track

      Kooyoora State Park - Melville Caves Walking Tk Closure

      The Melville Caves Walking Track within Kooyoora State Park is closed until further notice due to dangerous and unsafe track base. 
      Park Victoria thank you for your understanding and apologise for the inconvenience. 

      Kooyoora State Park - Melville Caves walking Tk Closure

      The Melville Cave Walking Track is closed until further notice due to dangerous and unsafe track surface. 

    • Yeddonba (Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park)

      Closure of walkway at Yeddonba

      The elevated walkway and access to the art site at Yeddonba in Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park has been closed for safety reasons.
       
      An engineering assessment on the walkway identified a number of structural defects that require remediation and recommended immediate closure.
       
      The walking track and visitor facilities at the site remain remain open.
       
      Funding is currently being sought to complete necessary repairs. A reopening date is not currently available.

    • Beechworth Historic Park

      Ongoing closure of section of Lake Sambell - 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.
       
      Funding is currently being sought to complete necessary repairs. A timeline for completion of these is not yet available.

    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.
    A couple take a tour of Spermwhale Head with traditional owners from the Gurnaikurnai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation.

    Aboriginal heritage

    Learn more about the culture, history and contemporary aspirations of the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of our land.
    Three friends take a break from their walk to take a photo of a Kangaroo who is equally watching them.

    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,
    A couple walk down the track and away from the Lighthouse at Cape Schank on the Mornington Peninsula.

    Lighthouses

    Learn about the seafaring past of Victoria's rugged and unforgiving coastline at marine and maritime exhibits and sites.
    Two hikers reach the summit of Mount Nelse at Bogong High Plains
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