BBQ
Are you looking to try your luck gold detecting, panning or sluicing in the Victorian Goldfields? People have been prospecting for gold in the Victorian Goldfields since the 19th century gold rush saw the entire state turned upside down with gold fever! Many of the world's largest alluvial gold nuggets were found in the area, and modern day prospectors continue to make significant gold discoveries throughout the region today.
These handy online gold prospecting guides provide useful information on local spots for detecting, panning and sluicing, maps for the area, local gold shops and detector hire, free campgrounds nearby, and interesting gold mining history.
The gold detecting, panning and sluicing guides currently focus on the following areas:
- Dunolly and Moliagul
- Castlemaine
- Ballarat
- Maryborough
- Inglewood and Wedderburn
Follow us on Facebook to get updates when more prospecting guides are added to this page.
Dunolly and Moliagul gold prospecting guide
Online guide for gold detecting, panning and sluicing around Dunolly and Moliagul
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.
Castlemaine gold prospecting guide
Online guide for gold detecting, panning and sluicing around Castlemaine
During the gold rush, thousands upon thousands of people rushed to this area (then known as the Mount Alexander Diggings) seeking to strike their fortune on one of the richest shallow alluvial goldfields in the world! The region remains a popular destination for gold prospecting to this day, and is filled with fascinating ruins and remnants from the gold rush throughout the remarkable Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.
Ballarat gold prospecting guide
Online guide for gold detecting, panning and sluicing around Ballarat
The Ballarat region is world famous for the huge alluvial gold nugget discoveries which continue to hit the news today! Ballarat and surrounds is a fantastic area for gold detecting, panning and sluicing, with popular areas including Enfield and Creswick.
MARYBOROUGH GOLD PROSPECTING GUIDE
Online guide for gold detecting, panning and sluicing around Maryborough
Maryborough is a popular destination for gold prospectors. Countless gold nuggets have been found throughout the region since the 1850s, with significant discoveries still being unearthed today! The town is surrounded by state forests and old diggings, and although the small creeks and gullies can be quite dry there are plenty of mining dams throughout the bush which can be used for panning and highbanking.
Inglewood and Wedderburn gold prospecting guide
Online guide for gold detecting, panning and sluicing around Inglewood and Wedderburn
The areas around Inglewood and Wedderburn are famous for their history of massive gold discoveries, including the unforgettable Hand of Faith, and the region remains a popular destination for gold prospectors to this day.
More online resources for gold prospecting in the Victorian Goldfields
- Historical gold maps of the Victorian Goldfields
- Online directory of Victorian gold maps
- Gold prospecting maps for Victoria's State and National Parks
- How to read historical gold maps
- Gold shops, detector hire and gold tours in the Victorian Goldfields
- YouTube channels from the Victorian Goldfields
- Researching gold prospecting and history - online resources
- Surfacing in the Victorian Goldfields
- Gold history locations on Goldfields Guide
- Puddling machines of the Victorian Goldfields
- Diaries and memoirs from the Victorian gold rush
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.
Follow us on Facebook