The Easter holidays are a great time to head out to Victoria's historic regions and experience the excitement of hunting for a gold nugget – and it could result in a valuable discovery.
An early Easter and warmer than average autumn weather makes it an ideal time to have fun with family and friends in regional Victoria.
As well as being great fun, recreational prospecting can also bring a windfall with the gold price at over $3000 an ounce. In October last year a nugget weighing 119 grams was found between Inglewood and Wedderburn by two prospectors using a metal detector- one of the men was trying his hand for the first time.
Earlier in 2023 a prospector using a metal detector discovered a 4.6kg nugget, valued at around $240,000, in Victoria's Golden Triangle in the state' central west. A gold nugget worth about $200,000 was also discovered in the same area in 2019.
Prospecting is a way of looking for gold or gems using metal detectors, picks, shovels, sieves and pans. The use of mechanical equipment or explosives is not permitted, vegetation and Aboriginal objects must not be removed or damaged.
Recreational prospectors need to understand where they can prospect as well as be cognisant of local weather and road conditions.
Recreational fossicking is a regulated activity in Victoria which means you need to possess a miner's right, which for just $27 allows you to keep any gold you find. There are over 87,000 active miner's rights in Victoria and the rush to get involved shows no sign of slowing with more than 11,000 purchased in 2023.
With more Victorians hunting for gold, it's important that prospectors are doing the right thing to protect the environment. The Earth Resources Regulator's inspectors frequently check that prospectors are licenced, panning in permitted areas and complying with environmental safeguards.
Fossicking and recreational prospecting is permitted in state forests and in designated areas of some national, state, historic and heritage parks.
Prospectors must also obey all other public land rules, including driving only on public tracks or roads, taking all rubbish home and immediately restoring the area by backfilling any holes and replacing leaf litter.
We have a Guide to Recreational Prospecting in Victoria and a helpful video, both can be accessed by visiting resources.vic.gov.au/fossicking.
Quotes attributable to Resources Victoria CEO Matt Vincent
"It's important modern gold hunters are aware of the rules and how to remain safe."
"Recreational prospecting is a great way to introduce friends and family to the state's historic gold regions and the enjoyment of searching for gold using metal detectors or hand tools like sieves and pans – and it could result in a discovery or just good fun."
"Buying a miner's right for $27 could be the best investment you ever make!"
