Gold panning

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Fossicking and prospecting

Heathcote-Graytown National Park

Chiltern-Mt Pilot 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.

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.

PMAV Code of Conduct

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.