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Whether you're just starting out or you're looking to try new places to find gold, you may be asking "where can I pan for gold in Victoria?"
While there are many, many creeks and rivers for you to try your luck in, we have gathered together this quick list of places where prospecting is permitted and you have a good chance of finding gold!
Andersons Creek
You are allowed to prospect in the bed of Andersons Creek off Gold Memorial Road within the Warrandyte State Park.
Resources for gold prospecting in Andersons Creek
Forest Creek
Forest Creek, Mount Alexander. Image source: State Library Victoria.
Prospecting is allowed in Forest Creek as it does not appear on the list of exempt rivers and streams.
One of the most famous goldfields of the Victorian gold rush, the renowned Forest Creek Diggings attracted thousands upon thousands of hopeful miners from all over the world!
The rush here began in the latter part of 1851, and it was not long before the entire area was busy with diggers, tents, cradles and tin dishes, and seemingly endless ounces of gold were being obtained from the rich earth.
Fryers Creek
Prospecting is allowed in Fryers Creek as it does not appear on the list of exempt rivers and streams.
Running through Vaughan and Fryerstown near Castlemaine, Fryers Creek was the scene of a great gold rush in the 1850s.
Mount Misery Creek
Prospecting is allowed in Mount Misery Creek as it does not appear on the list of exempt rivers and streams.
Located within Enfield State Park where nearly half the park is available for prospecting, including a 20 metre strip either side of Mount Misery Creek.
Mount Misery Creek is very seasonal and rarely has running water. This creek is best to visit after heavy rains and during the winter months.
Through most of the year you're more likely to find a bit of water for gold panning than any running water for river sluicing.
Resources for gold prospecting in Mount Misery Creek
- Enfield State Park - Parks Victoria
- FFM Forest Notes - Ross Creek and Enfield State Forests shows map of the area
Reedy Creek
Reedy Creek, Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Reedy Creek is on the list of exempt rivers and streams, but you are allowed to prospect in Reedy Creek within designated areas of the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.
Reedy Creek is well known for gold panning, sluicing and highbanking, and typically yields plenty of fine gold.
This is a great spot for beginners to have a go panning for gold, and a great spot for crevicing due to the huge areas of exposed bedrock found along the creek.
Resources for gold prospecting in Reedy Creek
- Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park - Parks Victoria
- YouTube - Vo-Gus Prospecting has videos prospecting in Reedy Creek
- YouTube - Diggin' For Gold has videos prospecting in Reedy Creek
- YouTube - Northeast Prospecting has videos prospecting in Reedy Creek
Sailors Creek
Sailors Creek at The Blowhole Gold Diversion Tunnel, Hepburn VIC
Prospecting is allowed in Sailors Creek as it does not appear on the list of exempt rivers and streams. Sailors Creek runs through the Hepburn Regional Park near Daylesford.
There are plenty of crevicing spots along the creek, and it's also popular for gemstone fossicking.
Slaty Creek
Slaty Creek, Gold Luck Victoria (YouTube)
Prospecting is allowed in Slaty Creek as it does not appear on the list of exempt rivers and streams. Slaty Creek runs through the Creswick Regional Park.
Slaty Creek is a popular destination for gold prospectors due to the three free campgrounds along the creek and the extensive surrounding forest for gold detecting.
Please note that Slaty Creek is a shallow, seasonal creek which will dry up during summer (but retains puddles here and there after summer rains).
Slaty Creek is a great place to bring the family on a casual trip for easy access to a gold panning creek from the campsite.
Prospectors may prefer to find a spot on the creek further from the campground, as the area around camp is very regularly worked for gold.
Resources for gold prospecting in Slaty Creek
- Creswick Regional Park visitor guide - Parks Victoria
- YouTube - Golden Triangle Prospecting has videos prospecting in Slaty Creek.
- YouTube - Gold Luck Victoria has videos prospecting in Slaty Creek.
- YouTube - Mohammed Novalija has videos prospecting in Slaty Creek.
Sutherland Creek
Prospecting is allowed in Sutherland Creek as it does not appear on the list of exempt rivers and streams.
Please note that Sutherland Creek passes through the Steiglitz Historic Park - within this park, gold panning is only permitted one kilometre down from the Meredith-Steiglitz Road Bridge. Prospectors with a miner's right are permitted to use pans, cradles and hand tools within the creek bed only. Please protect the creek bank environment.
Sutherland Creek also passes through the Brisbane Ranges National Park - prospecting is not permitted in this section.
Resources for gold prospecting in Sutherland Creek
MORE TO CHECK OUT
PROSPECTORS AND MINERS ASSOCIATION VICTORIA
Established in 1980, the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria is a voluntary body created to protect the rights and opportunities of those who wish to prospect, fossick or mine in the State of Victoria, Australia.
You can support the PMAV in their fight to uphold these rights by becoming a member. You'll also gain access to exclusive publications, field days, prospecting tips, discounts and competitions.
Check out the PMAV website for more information.
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