• Fossicking and prospecting

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Explore

Fossicking and prospecting

Steiglitz Historic Park

Paddys Ranges State Park

Enfield State Park

Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve

Reef Hills State Park

Beechworth Historic Park

Kara Kara National Park

Heathcote-Graytown National Park

Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park

Kooyoora State Park

Greater Bendigo 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

    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

  • Melville Caves Lookout (Kooyoora State Park)

    Kooyoora Joint Management Visitor upgrades coming

    Dear Park Visitors, 
    DJAARA, Joint Management Partners, will commence construction of a new shelter at Melville Caves Lookout from mid-June 2023. Access to the lookout will remain open for visitors during construction.  
    DJAARA are excited to enhance the visitor experience by providing a new and improved facility that will offer a stunning vantage point to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings and look forward to unveiling the new lookout shelter and providing an enhanced experience for all visitors soon. 
    For further information and fact sheet please visit https://djadjawurrung.com.au/resources/
     
    We understand that the construction activities may cause some inconvenience during this period and apologise for any disruption or inconvenience caused.  Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

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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