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World-famous for the 1869 discovery of the Welcome Stranger gold nugget, the areas around Dunolly and Moliagul are a renowned destination for gold prospecting.
Filled with old diggings, historic sites and extensive areas of bushland, the region continues to produce regular gold nugget discoveries to this day.
If you're looking to try your luck gold prospecting around Dunolly and Moliagul, we've put together this handy guide to get you started.
WHERE TO GO GOLD DETECTING AROUND dunolly and moliagul
As well as on crown land, gold prospecting is permitted in the following forests and reserves around Dunolly and Moliagul.
Please note that this list is not complete (there are many smaller reserves throughout the area which aren't on this list), but will make a good starting point.
- Waanyarra/Dunolly State Forest
- Mt Hooghly State Forest
- Harvest Home State Forest
- Bealiba/Barp State Forest
- Moliagul State Forest
- Moliagul Nature Conservation Reserve
- Moliagul Historic Area (prospecting is not permitted within the direct vicinity of the Welcome Stranger monument and discovery walk)
- Longbush State Forest
- McIntyre Historic Area
- Rheola Hill Historic Area
- Wehla Nature Conservation Reserve
- Kooyoora State Park (designated areas only, see Parks Victoria's Prospecting Map for the Kooyoora State Park)
GOLD PANNING AND SLUICING AROUND Dunolly and moliagul
Dunolly and Moliagul are typically quite dry, and most the creeks and gullies are seasonal (in fact many are almost always dry).
Water is scarce in the area during summer, and many creeks will have minimal flow throughout winter as well (which can be fine for panning and highbanking, but not great for river sluices).
Creeks and rivers around Dunolly and Moliagul where prospecting is not permitted
Many of the rivers and creeks around Dunolly and Moliagul are off limits for prospecting, with Burnt Creek, Bet Bet Creek, Jones Creek, Waanyarra Creek, Loddon River and Avoca River all appearing on Earth Resources' list of rivers and streams where you can't prospect for gold.
Creeks and rivers around Dunolly and Moliagul where prospecting is allowed
There are some small creeks and gullies around Dunolly and Moliagul where gold prospecting is permitted, including the seasonal Moliagul Creek.
Just be sure to double check that the creek or river's name does not appear on that list before heading out.
There are plenty of old mining dams throughout the bush which can be utilised for gold panning and highbanking as well.
These are easily spotted on Google Maps satellite view. These dams will generally hold water further into summer than the small seasonal gullies throughout the forests.
Maps for the area
- Dunolly and Inglewood State Forests FFM Forest Notes and map
- Kooyoora State Park Parks Victoria prospecting map
- Historical gold maps of the Victorian Goldfields
GOLD SHOPS, PROSPECTING TOURS AND DETECTOR HIRE AROUND DUNOLLY AND MOLIAGUL
The closest gold shops and tours are located nearby in Maryborough.
- Coiltek Gold Centre, retail shop, prospecting maps, gold prospecting tours, detector hire
- Gold Detecting with Stinky Pete prospecting tours
- Chicks With Picks Australia, fantastic clothing, gear and accessories for people with gold fever!
INTERESTING GOLD MINING HISTORY AROUND DUNOLLY AND MOLIAGUL
Mortons Welcome Inn, Waanyarra VIC
The areas around Dunolly and Moliagul are filled with fascinating ruins and relics of the region's rich mining history!
Places to explore include historic mines, old diggings, gold puddlers, surfaced areas, discarded boilers, and the remains of old cyanide plants.
These sites are definitely worth checking out while you're in the area:
- Welcome Stranger Monument, Picnic Area and Discovery Walk, Moliagul
- Gypsy Road Mine Shafts, Moliagul (warning - lots of deep open mine shafts)
- Welcome Stranger Anvil Monument, Dunolly
- Dunolly Museum
- Morton's Welcome Inn, Waanyarra
- Waanyarra Historic Township, Waanyarra
- Waanyarra Historic Cemetery, Waanyarra
- Early Burial Ground, Waanyarra
- Poverty Mine Monument, Tarnagulla
- Queens Birthday Mine, Goldsborough
Free campgrounds around Dunolly and Moliagul
Waanyarra Recreation Site, Waanyarra VIC
- Waanyarra Recreation Site
- Moliagul Campground
- Bealiba Reservoir
- Melville Caves Campground (prospecting not allowed in this section of Kooyoora State Park, but is allowed in other areas nearby)
- Laanecoorie Loddon River Recreation Reserve
STAY SAFE WHILE GOLD PROSPECTING
Always be wary where you are walking when gold detecting in the bush, as there are lots of unexpected open mine shafts throughout the area.
You will also encounter uneven ground, slippery clay in wet weather, and there is always the possibility of encountering snakes in summer.
Always let someone know where you are going before heading out bush.
Other local gold prospecting guides
SEE ALSO
- Guide to gold prospecting in the Victorian Goldfields
- Places to prospect in the Victorian Goldfields
- Interactive map showing lots of places to prospect in the Victorian Goldfields
- Gold-bearing creeks and rivers in Victoria
- Crevicing for gold in creeks and rivers
- Researching gold prospecting and history - online resources
- Surfacing in the Victorian Goldfields
- Gold shops, detector hire and gold tours in the Victorian Goldfields
- YouTube channels from the Victorian Goldfields
- Dangers of mine shafts in the Victorian Goldfields
- Online directory of Victorian gold maps
- Gold prospecting maps for Victoria's State and National Parks
- Historical gold maps of the Victorian Goldfields
- How to read historical gold maps
- Gold history locations on Goldfields Guide
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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