What is it about Australia that captures the imagination of travelers both young and old? Is it the allure of scaling the rocky face of Ayers Rock, the chance of listening to a performance in Sydney’s famed Opera House, or maybe the thrill of the snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef? Perhaps, but ask any prospector, and they’ll likely tell you it is the thought of striking a massive gold nugget!

The precious yellow metal has drawn fortune seekers to Australia’s shores since the first discovery was publicly announced nearly 157 years ago. On May 15th, 1851 the Sydney Morning Herald ran a story about a sensational discovery made near Bathurst, New South Wales. Within weeks of the news the rush was on. Thousands dropped what they were doing and set out for the goldfields intent on striking it rich. Some of the first arrivals needed no more equipment than their hands to scoop up the potato-size nuggets simply lying atop the ground! In fact, over 80% of the world’s largest nuggets have been taken from Australia, including the massive Welcome Stranger, weighing approx. 2,332-ounces found near Moliagul, Victoria in 1869.

Gold mining thrived in Australia until the onset of the First World War. The high costs involved with underground mining coupled with a shrinking labor force triggered a massive decline in the industry. The 1930’s saw renewed interest, but for the most part the goldfields sat idle. This would change dramatically in the 1980’s with the advent of the modern metal detector. With this new technology, many of the older fields once considered played out began yielded substantial quantities of gold. Those persons fortunate enough to be in on the first “wave” were rewarded with untold quantities of nuggets, some of them weighing several hundred ounces! Once again, as news spread a new rush began. An “electronic rush” that continues to this very day.

I receive dozens of letters and emails each year from folks interested in traveling to Australia. Some of the most frequently asked questions are: where should I go, when should I go, what do I need to bring? With this in mind, I decided to put together this short article with helpful tips for the would-be traveler. Prospecting for gold in the Land Down Under is relatively easy; its getting there that is the hard part. Remote is a good word to describe Australia, because it is a long journey from just about anywhere. You will lose a lot of time in travel, getting outfitted with supplies, etc., so if you are planning a trip be sure to give yourself plenty of time. A typical expedition for myself ranges anywhere from 5 to 7 weeks. The minimum time I would recommend is 3 weeks, especially if you are thinking about heading out west.

The Australian continent is an enormous place, so a person’s first step should be to decide where in the country they want to prospect. The mainland of Australia consists of six states, and two territories. These include: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory. While gold has been found in every one of them, it is Western Australia (WA) and Victoria that top the list for electronic prospectors. WA, with its’ flat, wide-open terrain offers some of the best detecting conditions in Australia. It is one of my favorite places to spend a season, however getting there is more expensive and because of its’ isolation, it requires a lot of pre-planning. In contrast, the Victorian goldfields are a mere hour or two drive from Melbourne. Accommodations, along with gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants are easy to come by. As for road conditions, most everything is 2-wheel drive accessible. There are thousands of hectares of public land to hunt, not to mention, more big nuggets have been found here than anywhere else in Australia.

With the exception of meteorites, you are allowed to keep all the gold and minerals you find in Australia, however you will be required to purchase a license. The Miner’s Right, also called a Fossicker’s License in some states; is a permit that allows you to prospect for minerals on unreserved Crown Land, or private land where the permission of the landowner has been granted. They can be purchased from the Mines Department or from most prospecting shops. Some are valid for a period of two years; others are valid for a lifetime. Price ranges from $25-$50, depending upon the state. For details on the various mining regulations in each state, I suggest you contact the relevant Mine’s Department or Department’s of Minerals and Energy, who can furnish you with additional information.

Traveling to Australia

Although varied, Australia’s climate is arid for the most part. The Outback is hot and dry; the southern half of Australia has warm summers and mild winters. The northern portion has two seasons; the wet and dry. The wet season sees heavy monsoon rains and even an occasional tropical cyclone. When planning the dates of your trip, keep in mind that their seasons are opposite to the United States. Their winter is our summer, and vice-versa. My favorite time of year for hunting gold in Australia is between May and September.

The Australian currency is known as the Dollar and the symbol is $. It is written out as AU$ (or Australian Dollar). At the time of this writing it is worth approximately $0.87 United States cents. Even though you can purchase AU$ once in Australia, I always purchase the money I will need before leaving home. This can be done at your local bank or at any major international airport. If you decide to go through your bank, start the process at least three weeks before departure, as many banks do not have AU$ on hand.

Because Australia is surrounded on all sides by water, the quickest way to get there is by plane. Serviced by over fifty international airlines, you can catch a flight to Australia from virtually anywhere in the world. Flights from Los Angeles to Sydney take about 14 hours. Air fares are expensive, so try to book as far in advance as possible to save yourself some money. American citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport to enter the country. Americans must enter with an Australian visa or, if eligible, through Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA replaces a visa and allows a stay of up to three months. Your travel agent should be able to issue your ETA when the tickets are purchased.

The most popular mode of travel in Australia is of course by car. If your driver’s license is in English, you do not have to apply for a special driving permit. Persons that plan on spending several months on the goldfields often opt to purchase a car rather than renting. Once their trip is over, they return to the city and either sell it outright, or trade it back in to the original dealer. This does save money, but if your visit will be brief (2-3 weeks), I suggest avoiding the hassle and simply renting a car. Rentals are available at airports, and in all cities. The cost of renting a car will generally increase the further you get from a heavily populated area.

If you will be venturing into the backcountry you should rent a 4WD. They are more expensive, but a dependable vehicle capable of handling rough terrain is literally worth its’ weight in gold in the Outback. In these wilderness areas, help is often a day’s drive away, so a person must be fairly self-reliant in the bush. Before leaving the car rental agency, check all the tires and insist on having two spares. Carry emergency supplies with you including road flares, matches, plenty of water, food, blankets, GPS, first-aid kit, extra shoes and socks. If you do happen to break down, stay with your car until help arrives. You have a much better chance of survival staying with your vehicle than braving the desert on foot. The roads in the Outback can become unbelievably dusty at times, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. Hitting a kangaroo at 50 mph can prove deadly, not only to the kangaroo but to you as well.

Once inside Australia, you can find any sort of lodging you desire. Exotic jungle resorts, youth hostels, hotels and motels, converted sheep stations, bed & breakfasts, efficiency apartments, houseboats; if you can name it, the Aussies probably have it! An average overnight stay in a typical motel will run you about $50.00 per night. You will have a bed, a private room and a separate shower and toilet. In a hostel, expect to share your room with others, and use a community toilet. Most prospectors traveling to the more remote regions, like WA, typically haul their equipment and dry camp on the goldfields. I typically sleep in a tent or swag while out “bush”. Camping gear can be purchased while in Australia, but you will pay more for it there than in the US. I suggest you bring a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, and your metal detector with you, and purchase the more bulky items like ice chests, pots & pans, water containers, Jerry cans, etc., when you land.

As far as metal detectors are concerned; if you are going to tackle the Australian goldfields you will definitely need a machine capable of handling the severe ground mineralization. Currently the most popular metal detectors being used in Australia are the Minelab brand; specifically the GP/SD Series machines. These Pulse Induction detectors have the ability to cancel out unwanted ground minerals while retaining excellent sensitivity and depth penetration. A new Minelab doesn’t come cheap, however if a person is serious about finding gold, they are well worth the investment.

With heightened airline security, traveling abroad with a metal detector has become trickier. Prior to the 911 terrorist attacks, it was possible to bring the detector onto the plane as carry-on. Understandably, they don’t allow this anymore, so the detector must now be stowed with your regular luggage. To help reduce the chance of damage, I completely break down the detector and wrap the critical components with bubble wrap. Then I place my clothing around these items as additional padding. Before zipping up, I toss my instruction manual on top, this way if my bag does get inspected by security they will know exactly what it contains. Be sure to bring spare batteries, power cables, headphones, and coils, just in case something were to be damaged during transit.

For gold seekers, Australia is without question, one of the premier prospecting destinations in the world. The people are friendly, and there are literally thousands of acres of unspoiled wilderness to explore. And of course there’s always the chance of walking over a monster nugget or stumbling onto a new patch. Even if gold isn’t your passion, you will find it hard not be swept away by the splendid beauty and rugged charm that make up this timeless land. It is truly a wondrous place. If your expedition Down Under doesn’t leave you monetarily wealthy, I promise the memories you create along the way most certainly will.

For more information on prospecting for gold, please visit the author’s website at: www.ArizonaOutback.com.

References:

Moon, Ron (1994). Outback Australia. Hawthorn, Victoria: Lonely Planet Publications.

Stone, Douglas (1999). Gold Prospecting. Shepparton, Victoria: Outdoor Press Pty Ltd.

Stone, Douglas (1980). Gold & Relics: Metal Detecting for Gold & Relics in Australia. Burwood, Victoria: Outdoor Press Pty Ltd.

Author’s own personal experiences.