One month stay in Australia for gold

ghost said:

Hello!
I have many questions regarding the details of possibly coming to Australia annually for gold. Absolutely for the hobby and not for business purposes. I have enough commitments here in Bulgaria. My idea is to have 2-3 people come once a year and go around with metal detectors and flush with a dredge. I have a lot of questions, but let's start with you recommending an area to dredge. Also, if you can mention a certain area in a few words, say what is more specific and what we are not allowed to do, for example, so that we don't have any problems.
I am also interested as a foreigner can I buy a car? Accordingly, I should pay him an annual parking fee somewhere. Can I take 3-5g with me? Gold for a keepsake? Where and can I sell the rest that I can't take with me without any problems?

Would anyone help to make some of the things happen more easily or if they are willing to be with us for a few days. Any ideas and recommendations are welcome!

Stay healthy!

p.s. I am uploading some photos from Bulgaria

Click to expand...

bicter said:

Dreging is illegal in Australia. https://www.prospectingaustralia.co...-for-recreational-activities-is-illegal.6145/
Each state has different rules for prospecting and fossicking.
In QLD metal detecting is only permitted in government designated General Prospecting Areas(GPA's) or with permission of a lease holder (pretty sure that is correct)
No problems buying a car. Need to register and that registration then allows you to drive that vehicle in any State - provded you have a suitable driving licence

Click to expand...

Moneybox said:

I think you'll need an Australian address to have a car registered in your name? Best to take a look at the Department of Transport online. Dredging is a definite nono in Western Australia. Prospecting is allowed but quite well policed in many regions so you must follow the rules and stay on legal ground. Take a look at the DEMIRS website. The rules are quite clear, well documented and very easy to follow.

Gold is very easy to sell at near spot price. Once again, best to go through legitimate dealers and we find the Perth Mint Refinery give us the best and most reliable deal however I don't know if your activities may be considered "Working in Australia".

You may get some very good advice from the forum but for peace of mind I suggest you do your due diligence through the appropriate government departments just to be safe.

Click to expand...

Hawkear said:

Hi Ghost.
See you are good at panning. Whilst there are panning opportunities in Australia, the problem is that they are often in less accessible areas in the higher rainfall mountainous areas of eastern Australia. For most of the year creeks and rivers in the other parts of our arid country are dry.
Your best bet may therefore be metal detecting and two areas stand out - Western Australia and the golden triangle of Victoria. Unfortunately they are at opposite sides (4 days drive apart) of our large country.
So for a month's stay you need to make a decision because you would find it difficult to try to do both regions.
Detecting in Victoria puts a premium on specific intensive detecting techniques regarding depth and sensitivity as you will be following the well detected paths of many others who have detected the areas you can access.
Detecting in Western Australia being a much larger area puts a premium of the ability to explore larger areas.
For those reasons, If you have had no previous experience with metal detectors, I would recommend you think about Western Australia. There are also people who run detecting tours lasting a week or so that can provide a good introductory learning experience on prospective ground to get you going.
Beyond that you will have to make vehicle, camping, and detector decisions and also as to the places you can legally access on your own. Typically an access permit (section 40E) may take up to 6 weeks so there is plenty of home work to do.
If you are able to give some indication as to when you feel you could come, perhaps some members of this forum may be willing to share expenses and information on such a prospecting adventure. Because Western Australia can be a very large and remote area detecting in company with others can be a safety issue as well.
Wouldn't get too ahead in worrying about what to do with any gold you find, as that will be the least of your issues. I think just put it out there for a prospecting partner to share costs.
Good hunting Ghost.

Click to expand...

ghost said:

Hi, by dredger flushing I meant with a small one like in my pictures. not with an excavator! with just a shovel and a gasoline water pump.

Click to expand...

Moneybox said:

I think you'll need an Australian address to have a car registered in your name? Best to take a look at the Department of Transport online.

Click to expand...

grubstake said:

If there's no suction nozzle with a hose feeding gravel into the sluice, we call that a highbanker, not a dredge. I think highbankers are only legal in one Australian state, Victoria.

Click to expand...

grubstake said:

There must be some way around that requirement, as there's plenty of overseas backpackers touring around in older cars and vans. You see them for sale on Gumtree all the time, when they're returning home.

Click to expand...