Fossicking and prospecting

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    Fossicking and prospecting

    Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve

    Reef Hills State Park

    Beechworth Historic Park

    Steiglitz Historic Park

    Enfield State Park

    Paddys Ranges State Park

    Kara Kara National Park

    Kooyoora State Park

    Greater Bendigo National Park

    Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park

    Heathcote-Graytown 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.

    • Kooyoora State Park

      Kooyoora State Park - Closed

      Kooyoora State Park is closed until further notice due to damage sustained to the road network during the rainfall events over the past few months. All efforts are being made to open the park as soon as possible. Parks Victoria and the local Rangers thank you for your understanding and patience. 

      This park has been impacted by recent significant weather events

      This park has been impacted by significant flood and/or storm events and some areas may be closed or restricted. Check the Storm and Flood Affected Parks page for the most up to date information on this location.

    • Woolshed Falls (Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park)

      Toilets temporarily closed

      The toilets at Woolshed falls are currently closed for repairs.

    • Beechworth Historic Park

      Gorge Rd Closure - Powder Magazine to Pritchard Lane

      The Gorge Road is currently closed for all vehicle and pedestrian access due to safety concerns over the Spring Creek bridge.  Further advice will be provided once an engineers assessment has been undertaken.

      Ongoing closure of section of Lake Sambell - Lake Kerferd Walking Track

      The section between Mauger Rd and Gee Rd of 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.

      This park has been impacted by recent significant weather events

      This park has been impacted by significant flood and/or storm events and some areas may be closed or restricted. Check the Storm and Flood Affected Parks page for the most up to date information on this location.

    • Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park

      This park has been impacted by recent significant weather events

      This park has been impacted by significant flood and/or storm events and some areas may be closed or restricted. Check the Storm and Flood Affected Parks page for the most up to date information on this location.

    • Yeddonba (Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park)

      Yeddonba Viewing Platform

      Closure of Walkway at Yeddonba

      The elevated walkway and access to art site at Yeddonba has been closed for safety reasons.

      The platform will be repaired with new decking as part of Parks Victoria’s work program for 2022-23.
      • A design team has completed their first inspection of the sites. After a review of environmental, heritage, planning and Cultural Heritage requirements of the design, a construction plan will be released.
      • The walking track and facilities at the site remain open
       

      Yeddonba Viewing Platform

      Closure of Walkway at Yeddonba

      The elevated walkway and access to art site at Yeddonba has been closed for safety reasons.

      The platform will be repaired with new decking as part of Parks Victoria’s work program for 2022-23.
      • A design team has completed their first inspection of the sites. After a review of environmental, heritage, planning and Cultural Heritage requirements of the design, a construction plan will be released.
      • The walking track and facilities at the site remain open
       

    More to discover

     
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