New fossicker in Gippsland

[Parakitties]

Hi,

We have just purchased a nothing fancy detector to have some fun, learn about the process, and enjoy time out as a couple in a new post retirement hobby.

Gippsland has lots of gold locations on the mineral survey maps I’ve got, but I can’t find any public fossicking sites like there are in the goldfields around Bendigo etc.

I don’t want to intrude on anyone’s secret spots, but are there any local places (we are in the Churchill area) that we could go to for a bit of practice closer than the golden triangle zone?

Consider us day trippers. No canoe, no rafting, no climbing down steep embankments.

I read a really valuable post about taking it slow, not moving on too fast if you find some gold, and carefully working an area because if you find one piece, there will usually be more around it.

patience is a key part of this, and I’m looking forward to having a go.

thanks for any advice or information you can give to this fossicking newbie who’d love to trip over a brick, but would be equally happy to go yippee with the first flake found!

 

[Jaros]

Welcome to P.A. Parakitties.

 

[Parakitties]

Welcome to P.A. Parakitties.

thank you

 

[grubstake]

Hi PK and welcome to the forum.

There's possibly some ideas for you in this recent thread:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/sending-hellos-from-south-gippsland.40975/#post-664256

 

[Parakitties]

Hi PK and welcome to the forum.

There's possibly some ideas for you in this recent thread:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/threads/sending-hellos-from-south-gippsland.40975/#post-664256

Thanks! I saw this and found it very helpful.

 

[Hawkear]

Hi Parakitties. You didn’t mention what detector you have. I wouldn’t recommend spending too much time and expense travelling a long way to the golden Triangle if you detector would struggle with the iron rich soils. Perhaps get out and use it as a treasure hunting or beach machine in Gippsland to get an idea of its capabilities.
Gippsland gold occurrences occur mainly North of the Highway at places on the Southern slopes of the dividing range. The country is rougher and detecting opportunities limited therefore but panning opportunities are far better because of the large number of accessible rivers and creeks that contain gold Although the size of the gold particles is small and usually below detecting threshold. Neerin East, Walhalla, Freestone Creek, Bullumwaal are just a few places that spring to mind.
See if there is a prospecting club or PMAV branch near you that you could join. If so you could rely on guidance and perhaps even organised trips away into the goldfields.

 

[Parakitties]

Hi Parakitties. You didn’t mention what detector you have. I wouldn’t recommend spending too much time and expense travelling a long way to the golden Triangle if you detector would struggle with the iron rich soils. Perhaps get out and use it as a treasure hunting or beach machine in Gippsland to get an idea of its capabilities.
Gippsland gold occurrences occur mainly North of the Highway at places on the Southern slopes of the dividing range. The country is rougher and detecting opportunities limited therefore but panning opportunities are far better because of the large number of accessible rivers and creeks that contain gold Although the size of the gold particles is small and usually below detecting threshold. Neerin East, Walhalla, Freestone Creek, Bullumwaal are just a few places that spring to mind.
See if there is a prospecting club or PMAV branch near you that you could join. If so you could rely on guidance and perhaps even organised trips away into the goldfields.

Thank you for taking the time to share that info.

We are going to join PMAV and check out what is available out here as you suggest.

 

[bumdags]

Welcome parrakitties. Fellow Gippslander near warragul, there are plenty of places around here for prospecting and we have the choice between Gold and certain gemstones. We might not have the riches of the golden triangle but there is still plenty of fun to be had

 

[Docca3]

Hi I’m from Traralgon don’t get out very much, had a look around Bullumwaal the other day just to look at the Chinese diggings , but I’m more interested in just the history of the area than a serious looking for gold

 

[Willow]

Hi,

We have just purchased a nothing fancy detector to have some fun, learn about the process, and enjoy time out as a couple in a new post retirement hobby.

Gippsland has lots of gold locations on the mineral survey maps I’ve got, but I can’t find any public fossicking sites like there are in the goldfields around Bendigo etc.

I don’t want to intrude on anyone’s secret spots, but are there any local places (we are in the Churchill area) that we could go to for a bit of practice closer than the golden triangle zone?

Consider us day trippers. No canoe, no rafting, no climbing down steep embankments.

I read a really valuable post about taking it slow, not moving on too fast if you find some gold, and carefully working an area because if you find one piece, there will usually be more around it.

patience is a key part of this, and I’m looking forward to having a go.

thanks for any advice or information you can give to this fossicking newbie who’d love to trip over a brick, but would be equally happy to go yippee with the first flake found!

Hi,
Myself (Guy) and 2 mates Matt and Mark recently purchased Minelabs detectors 2 Vanquish 540's and a go-find, hoping to supplement our old age pensions with the spoils of prospecting. So far we have done 3 trips north of Briagolong and found 2 Bullets (303),1 lead wheel weight and 1 steel beer can. Cashing that all in still leaves us about $2000 short of our equipment "investment".
Your description of yourself sounds like us-patient and low stress.. So far our wives are enjoying days without us but they are still quietly optimistic for us. Is there a point where prospecting becomes scavenging - oh well there is always the fresh air to enjoy. Cheers-Guy

 

[grubstake]

Hi,
Myself (Guy) and 2 mates Matt and Mark recently purchased Minelabs detectors 2 Vanquish 540's and a go-find, hoping to supplement our old age pensions with the spoils of prospecting. So far we have done 3 trips north of Briagolong and found 2 Bullets (303),1 lead wheel weight and 1 steel beer can. Cashing that all in still leaves us about $2000 short of our equipment "investment".
Your description of yourself sounds like us-patient and low stress.. So far our wives are enjoying days without us but they are still quietly optimistic for us. Is there a point where prospecting becomes scavenging - oh well there is always the fresh air to enjoy. Cheers-Guy

Gippsland's 'three musketeers' sound like a fun crew, Guy - welcome to PA! I suspect that socialising and adventuring in the outdoors is at least as important to you blokes as the treasures hopefully unearthed. If you start your own thread in this Introduce Yourself area, you might get some useful help and advice.