Gold Panning in Bathurst. NSW Gold Atlas

cameldownunder on 27/09/2016 - 10:50
Last edited 27/09/2016 - 11:43 by 1 other user

Hi

We (I) bought a go-find 20 metal detector. With my son and his friend we went to Balmoral beach, and we found $2 coin, $1 coin, 20cts coin, 10cts coin, hair pin, 3cts coin, kinder surprise wrapping paper.

My son currently has the gold-mining fever, which is ok with me, as he spends a lot of time outdoor instead of being in front of youtube and iPad.

Our family is going to Bathurst this long weekend, and I was wondering if anyone has some fossicking/prospecting/detecting experience and could point me in the right direction, so that this enterprise does not end in a total fiasco.

There is a 'NSW Gold Atlas", but for $120 it's a bit on the expensive side. Would be ok for say $50. Anyone one used for sale?

Thanks for all help.

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  airzone on 27/09/2016 - 10:58

  Bathurst isn't really a gold mining town. They have / had something on Mt Panorama as a tourist attraction and has a gold panning experience, etc.

  You might find something at Hill End (about an hour or so away), but be careful of old mine shafts.

  Otherwise if he is of working age, maybe he can find a job in the Cadia mine.. Just won't get to keep the gold you find!

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  retiredfeline on 27/09/2016 - 11:00

  3cts coin

  That would be a valuable curio, no?

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    cameldownunder on 27/09/2016 - 11:04

    My wife looked it up ( after she broke it when cleaning ). 60 cts value ….

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      shanakatak on 27/09/2016 - 16:45

      You shouldn't clean coins when you find them if you intend on selling them, most people will damage them as its easy to create micro abrasions. (Apart from a quick wipe)
      Instead leave them as found so they arent damaged further.

      A rare dirty coin is worth more than a shiny damaged one.

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        cameldownunder on 27/09/2016 - 16:55

        Yes, guess that's a good lesson learned on an inexpensive coin.

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  mskeggs on 27/09/2016 - 11:03

  Visit the tourist info kiosk and they will tell you what you need to know.
  Years ago they rented/sold gold pans too, but don't know about these days.
  Not too far from Bathurst is Sofala (a cute little town) and Hill End.
  Hill End was a booming mining town in the 1800s, and you can walk down the street looking at the old buildings, plus the empty lots where ruins are/were. There are good photos/displays to show what was there.
  All around are excavations left over from the gold mining, and there is a former underground gold mine that is now a museum that you can visit.
  You can pan for gold in any of the creeks and rivers, and could likely go metal detecting on the banks too.

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    cameldownunder on 27/09/2016 - 11:07

    I was thinking Macquarie and Turon River. Do a loop to Sofala, then head West, and then back. Should cross some rivers.
    Already watched a few youtube videos about detecting and panning.

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      mskeggs on 27/09/2016 - 11:12

      If you go to Sofala, spend the extra 20mins or so to go to Hill End. The views on the way are spectacular and the old town is very interesting.

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        cameldownunder on 27/09/2016 - 11:29

        Will do. Adding some educational time is not going to hurt.

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  JoFord63 on 27/09/2016 - 11:14

  I'm guessing that a weekend trip to Bathurst won't give you enough time to actually go fossicking (at Hill End? Hartley?).

  A quick Google search brought up an education centre/function centre/accommodation place at Bathurst. If you haven't already come across it, go to http://bathurstgoldfields.com.au/. Looks like a good starting point for learning about gold fever in NSW (and perhaps a bit about modern fossicking).

  Google also reminded me that www.visitnsw.com has a bit of info about gold and gem-hunting sites around NSW. And I just came across this website http://www.goldtrails.com.au/gold-trails/ which you should DEFINITELY have a look at.

  There are some great videos on Youtube by an Aussie guy who metal-detects on both beaches and in the country. He gives tips on where to look on the beaches (e.g. near the dunes, which parts of the waterline etc).

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    cameldownunder on 27/09/2016 - 11:33

    " http://bathurstgoldfields.com.au"
    That's what started it, when my son went there with his school excursion. We will visit that on Saturday.
    For Sunday I planned a bit of exploration on our own. Sofala - Hills End - and the rivers. Monday we will head back.
    I saw the video of the guy who finds a nugget. The I looked up his Metal detector: $9'500. Wow !