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.
A pan filled with silt.

Ensure you have your Miner's Right

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. Click here to purchase a Miners Right online.

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.

 

Need to know

Fossicking and prospecting

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.

  • 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. 

  • Yeddonba (Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park)

    Closure of walkway at Yeddonba

    The elevated walkway and access to the rock art site at Yeddonba in Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park remains closed for safety reasons until the repairs to the platform can be undertaken.

    The walking track and visitor facilities at the site remain open.

  • Beechworth Historic Park

    Spring Creek Bridge closure

    The current condition of the Spring Creek bridge cannot safely support any traffic, including pedestrians, and the current long-term closure is necessary for safety reasons.

    Pedestrians and cyclists can still walk or ride to Spring Creek Bridge, from the Powder Magazine at the northern end of Gorge Road or from Newtown Falls. Visitors must return the way they came in.

    The community will continue to be updated as more is known about the condition of the bridge after more detailed engineering assessments.

    Please be mindful that there maybe an increase in traffic along Gorge Drive while the engineering assessments occur.

  • Kooyoora State Park

    Road closures due to flood damage

    ·     The main visitor sites are open at Kooyoora State Park, however the following roads remain closed due to storm damage. 
    ·     Kirwan's Road
    ·     Back Road

  • Reedy Creek Day Visitor Area (Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park)

    Works and change to access along Reedy Creek (Woolshed and McFeeters Road) section of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP

    Parks Victoria have made changes to consolidate the network of tracks leading into Reedy Creek. Unsafe tracks have been closed for rehabilitation and several tracks will be upgraded to provide better access to popular sites for camping and prospecting. These changes will improve visitor safety and protect park values.

    Prospecting is still allowed in Reedy Creek, and in other designated areas of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park, for prospectors who hold a current Miner’s Right. We ask that people respect the closures put in place and only use the authorised track network to ensure Reedy Creek remains a special place for all visitors.

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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