Gold detecting whilst on the road

TravellerBob · Veteran Member

Gold detecting whilst on the road

bilbo · Senior Member

Bob,

Ive sent you a PM......cheers Bilbo

Esperian · Senior Member

gdayjr wrote:
I will be hitting the road full time in around 4 months, and i was thinking of a useful hobby to pursue whilst travelling this great land.
I got to thinking about gold detecting.
Obviously, plenty of researching needs to be done around the subject of the best locations, and with that a useful history lesson is also learned.
I have started to look into prices of the various items of equipment that will be needed to actually do the prospecting, and while it is not a cheap hobby, it can certainly be a rewarding one.
If you have decided to try your hand at this, what gold detector did you purchase? If you want to share some info on the better areas to look out for, by all means do so.
I will have a caravan set up for off grid living, so the remote places arent really a problem.

Many thanks.

Hi there gold-detecting Fellows!

I'm at present fairly close to Bendigo, free camping at Aysons Reserve, close to Elmore. I travel, and live permanently in my home-made motorhome buit on Toyota Dyna truck. Having been a Nomad, it doesn't matter to me a lot where I stay, as long it is not too far from water, and some sort of shop with supplies. Since I used to be a miner, and also an opal miner and cutter, I am used to such sort of life. Opal mining become out of question for me, since my health gone a bit worse, and nearing closely 70, swinging a shovel and pick is way too hard, but swinging detector, and only sometime a pick, seems to me a lot more preferable option. Do any of you have some experience with Chinese metal (gold) detectors? I bought one, TX850, couple of years ago, plus additional three extra different size search coils, for different depths, sensitivity, etc. Never tried yet in the field, so I am curious if someone also got one and what you think of it.

-- Edited by Esperian on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 04:03:38 PM

-- Edited by Esperian on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 04:08:24 PM

-- Edited by Esperian on Wednesday 23rd of March 2022 04:33:56 PM

TravellerBob · Veteran Member

The chinese metal detectors are a load of crap. throw it away and buy a decent detector if you want to find gold here in Australia. I really doubt that they would be able to handle the mineralization in the ground here in Austrailia

The TX850 appears to be a general treasure detector not a gold detector going by a couple of youtube videos that I just watched

A minelab Equinox 800 would probably be the go for you. It can be used on the beach and parks for treasure/ coins and it will find gold in gold mode.

If your serious about gold on the east coast then a Gold Monter 1000 may be the go but it wont handle the ground in the west too well.

The real base line detector for finding gold over australia would be the SDC 2300. Its a turn on and detect machine. Around $4400 new or expect to pay around $3200 for a good used model.

gdayjr · Senior Member

I was tuned in to the Miners Den show on you tube last night and managaged to win a full set of gold detecting maps for Victoria.

Esperian, if you want to message me, i will try and send you a p.d.f of them.

I used to live in the Wombat State forest at Greendale so its my old stomping ground.

I wasn't into detecting then though.

I am looking forward to going back there when i pick up the new caravan in August.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

After you all talking about detecting, I decided to dust off the Minelab XT18000 series detector, and finely go over my back yard, which was originally the in town tip. I found at 18 iches deep a T. Model Ford , spoked wheel, pretty rusted up, and about 10 feet away, an old tin at a foot depth, it had a rusted lid, what was left of pound notes, and 57 coins, including florins, shillings pennies one sixpence, and a threepence, all dated prior to 1930. That was just this afternoon. Am going to give it another go tomorrow, and next week as I will be away this weekend. I have only until the 6th of next month to go over the area, as my son in/law gets the detector after then.

gdayjr · Senior Member

Well there you go. Well done.

People find treasure in all sorts of places.

The researching is a big part of this hobby, and places like yours on old rubish dumps throw up some amazing finds.

I was watching the Mine Lab show live on Wednesday night at 7.30 pm on You tube, and i was lucky enough to win the weekly give away.

I picked up a full set of maps to the prime gold detecting areas of Victoria.I used to live in the Wombat State Forest at a place called Greendale.

I know from my own research that there ware over 200 old abandoned gold mines in that area, but i was not into detecting when i lived there.

I will certainly be re visiting my old stomping ground later this year.

Its so rewarding when a pastime or hobby can generate a bit of value.

Good luck for the ret of the hunt.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

What i enjoyed the most with the detector, was hitting old town sites, and the behind home rubbish area, where they dumped their household rubbish. I got some pretty good old bottles, ink wells, stone ginger beer bottles, marble bottles all from finding a few tins in amongst it all with the detector. The in thing today people are paying good money for are nameplates on old machinery, including old cast iron sewing machines, washing machines, old fridges etc. Their is very good money in that.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Friday 25th of March 2022 11:12:25 AM

PeterInSa · Guru

If you are thinking of buying a high end gold detector eg the Minelab GPX 6000 or the GPZ 7000 you may be interested in the article below.

It also mentions the Minelab Equinox detector this machine can be used for coins, relics and to some degree gold detecting. Also mentioned is Jonathon Porter a gold prospector from FNQ who has been part of the development and testing team for Minelab gold machines.

www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/18471-my-gpx-6000-review-resurrected/

And if you have a few hours to spare you could read what it was like to have a successfully gold mine in the 1930's in the US, probably the best Write up/ Forum Thread on Gold mining that I have read.

https://www.detectorprospector.com/forums/topic/17882-lost-gold-at-the-dead-mans-mine-a-miners-journal/

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Friday 25th of March 2022 10:45:33 PM

bilbo · Senior Member

PeterinSa

Thks for that link........cheers Bilbo

Esperian · Senior Member

gdayjr wrote:
I was tuned in to the Miners Den show on you tube last night and managaged to win a full set of gold detecting maps for Victoria.
Esperian, if you want to message me, i will try and send you a p.d.f of them.
I used to live in the Wombat State forest at Greendale so its my old stomping ground.
I wasn't into detecting then though.
I am looking forward to going back there when i pick up the new caravan in August.

Thank you Graham. Since I plan to go back to Lightning Ridge for middle of winter, and go back to try more detecting, we may meet in NSW, since I think of coming back to Vic. also about the middle of August, to do some detecting in Vctoria. and go to WA for the same reason, with one week stop in SA. I send you P.M with my contact info.

gdayjr · Senior Member

Winner. Winner

gdayjr · Senior Member

I took the new detector up to Hill End ion New South Wales over the weekend, and also a few hours in Wattle Flat on the way home.

Some absolutely stunning countryside around that area, and a ripper of a road if you enjoy a bit of spirited driving.

Quite a learning experience, and my legs certainly know they have been exercised.

Sunshine, fresh air, and exercise, all good. Unfortunately, no gold was found. Plenty of rusty old bits of metal though.

Trying to access Hill End Common in a sports car with low ground clearance was not ideal, and limited the ground I could cover.

I have chatted with quite a few others who visit those areas, and the gold is pretty much gone from there now, although the locals still tell a different tale in order to keep the tourists coming through.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

KJB · Guru

gdayjr wrote:
I took the new detector up to Hill End ion New South Wales over the weekend, and also a few hours in Wattle Flat on the way home.
Some absolutely stunning countryside around that area, and a ripper of a road if you enjoy a bit of spirited driving.
Quite a learning experience, and my legs certainly know they have been exercised.
Sunshine, fresh air, and exercise, all good. Unfortunately, no gold was found. Plenty of rusty old bits of metal though.
Trying to access Hill End Common in a sports car with low ground clearance was not ideal, and limited the ground I could cover.
I have chatted with quite a few others who visit those areas, and the gold is pretty much gone from there now, although the locals still tell a different tale in order to keep the tourists coming through.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
What breed/model Sports car.......? Seems a different choice of vehicle to go prospecting in......! KB

gdayjr · Senior Member

What breed/model Sports car.......? Seems a different choice of vehicle to go prospecting in......! KB

The detecting is just a hobby, i was up their for a weekend away from the rat race that is Sydney.

I drive an Alpha Romeo Giulietta Turbo, only untill my Iveco Van is here in about 8 weeks.

KJB · Guru

gdayjr wrote:

What breed/model Sports car.......? Seems a different choice of vehicle to go prospecting in......! KB

The detecting is just a hobby, i was up their for a weekend away from the rat race that is Sydney.
I drive an Alpha Romeo Giulietta Turbo, only untill my Iveco Van is here in about 8 weeks.

Would have been an enjoyable drive through there in your Alfa ........ I have always enjoyed "drivers cars.." KB

TravellerBob · Veteran Member

Hill End still has plenty of gold to be found. You just have to know where to look for it. I have a mate that finds gold on the Common everytime he goes up there. You need a suitable vehicle to get down the tracks. You dont require a 4wd for the majority of the tracks just a standard vehicle and a bit of common sence. will do.
The area behnd the tip is one location that is worth a look. A few years ago now a 23 oz nugget was found with a GPZ 7000 near the catholic cemetary in suposedly flogged out ground.. I found a 42 gram nugget on the Common along with many multi gram nuggets during the times that I have been there. You have to get out and explore tha area and not just go to the easy to get to places like everyone else.
All going to plan this year I will be back in Hill End for summer . Im happy to show anyone around the area

Some of my gold finds at Hill End The 42 gramer, a 10 gramer and a 1 gramer

gdayjr · Senior Member

Next summer, if we get one, will see me in the Victorian golden triangle.

I pick my new Crusader caravan up in August...if everything goes to plan with the factory move.

I will then spend some time down near St Leonards and the Great Ocean Road with my kids and grandkids for a few months before hiting the road for good.

I will no doubt be back in N.S.W at some point in the future, but i will be in no rush to get here.

W.A and QLD will be on the schedule before i eventually make my way round the lap and back to the big smoke.

I have no doubt there is still gold to be found in all the flogged out areas with these new detectors, i can even pack the motorbike up and get out into the boondocks.

Plenty of practice to be done between now and Ausgust.

Mike Harding · Guru

gdayjr wrote:
I was watching the Mine Lab show live on Wednesday night at 7.30 pm on You tube, and i was lucky enough to win the weekly give away.
I picked up a full set of maps to the prime gold detecting areas of Victoria.

Exercise caution; many of the "gold" maps have not been updated for years or, indeed, ever especially the red covered "Gold and Relic Sites" maps by Outdoor Press. Many of the land designations in the area have changed over time and these maps often show it all as State Forest however much of the land is now National Parks or Nature Conservation Reserves (National Parks by stealth). Detecting and/or camping in NPs and NCRs is mainly prohibited and it will depend of the mood of the ranger as to weather he kicks you out or fines you. NB. It's worth checking to see if they can confiscate your equipment... detector, car etc!

As someone mentioned; gold detecting is not easy and you need to put the time in on the ground, prodding away with the detector for a couple of hours a week is next to useless. Also learn some geology particularly in regard to how gold travels over time and keep in mind that the landscape you see today looked nothing like this 50,000 years ago.

gdayjr · Senior Member

As my signature would indicate, I am a big fan of the man who spent some time in my home city of Birmingham England.

The man who wrote the classic verse used in the Hobbit.

Now, whilst my signature has a bit of a reference to my soon to be new way of living, it also has a reference to my new hobby as well.

It seems that the saying is true, "all that is gold does not glitter".

PeterInSa · Guru

I/partner use an App called Trilobite that shows your location on the map screen (Tablet or Phone) as you drive along a track in WA ( and other states) and shows the geology and location of any mines nearby and if there are nearby pending sites (in WA) that you can stop and have a detect (on the pending site, providing you have a WA Miners Right ).

Your vehicle location is centre screen and the surrounds move across the screen as you drive down the track.

We have a windscreen suction cap gizzmo's that can hold a large smartphone or a 7 inch Tablet on the dashboard.( for review by passenger)

Have sometimes taken the phone in a backpack as it can show you the limits of the pending or your WA 40E sites. ( a 40E allows the holder to detect on certain mining leases in WA)

https://trilobite.solutions/maps/

In WA, Tengraph is a very good research tool.

www.gold-prospecting-wa.com/tengraph-web.html

gdayjr · Senior Member

I have that map for multiple sates.

Thanks for the info.