Gold Prospecting & Detecting

In search of gold

Gold has left its mark across Victoria’s Heartland. From the grand streetscapes of the gold rush to historic diggings tucked among forests and bushland, the legacy of one of the world’s richest gold rushes can still be found throughout the region.

And there’s still gold beneath the surface. Around Castlemaine, Maldon, Maryborough, Dunolly, Talbot and Moliagul, prospectors continue to explore old goldfields with detector in hand, hoping to uncover a little piece of history, or perhaps something much bigger.

Strike gold in the Central Goldfields

Gold has shaped the landscape and stories of the Central Goldfields for more than 150 years, and the possibility of making a discovery of your own still draws prospectors here today.

Some of Australia’s most remarkable gold finds have come from Central Victoria. Of the 40 recorded Australian gold nuggets weighing more than 18 kilograms, 32 were discovered in this part of the state.

The most famous of them all was found at Moliagul in 1869. Sitting just 2.5 centimetres below the surface, the Welcome Stranger weighed an extraordinary 69 kilograms and remains the largest alluvial gold nugget ever discovered.

More than 150 years later, there’s still gold to be found.

Try your luck

Grab a detector and explore gold country around Talbot, Amherst, Maryborough, Dunolly, Waanyarra, Tarnagulla, Inglewood and Moliagul, where prospectors continue to search the old goldfields for hidden treasure.

Modern equipment might make prospecting a little easier than it was in the 1850s, but finding gold still takes patience, persistence and a little luck.

If you’re new to prospecting, start at Coiltek Gold Centre in Maryborough. Pick up equipment and maps of local prospecting areas, or join a guided experience to learn how to use a detector and what to look for in the landscape.

Golden Nugget Tours also offers specialised gold prospecting tours, combining the thrill of the search with stories and insights into the region’s rich goldmining history.

Before you start prospecting

Heading out on your own? You’ll need a current Miner’s Right, and prospecting is only permitted in designated areas. Children under 18 don't need their own miner's right if they are with you and you have a valid one.

Check where prospecting is allowed before setting out and familiarise yourself with the rules for fossicking and detecting in Victoria. Then all that’s left to do is choose your patch, switch on the detector and see what might be waiting beneath your feet.