Driving Canberra to Melbourne in early Dec

[user 1769]

Hi everyone,

I've got three days to drive from Canberra to Melbourne in early December, so I'll be packing my detecting gear. Tossing up between spending time in the Beechworth area or heading over to the GT.

I've got absolutely no on-the-ground knowledge about Victorian goldfields, as I live in Hobart. I'd really appreciate any recommendations as to which option is going to be better worth my time. I have an SDC 2300 and I've been fairly successful with it in Tassie, but I've only been detecting for a couple of years. I'm currently leaning to Beechworth because it's sort of on the way, and likely to be cooler weather (is it?)

Cheers,

Miguel

 

[SCROUNGER]

If you want to pan gold then i'd head to Eldorado just out to the east from Wangaratta mfdes, if you want to detect then head over to the GT. Both can be reached in a days drive with and arvo to spare if you leave Camberra early enough. Eldorado is about three hours from melbourne and the GT is about 2 hours. Early December can be hot depending on the season, but generally not that bad if you head out early or late in the day and rest up through the worst of the day if it is too hot for you. Good luck.

 

[user 1769]

Thanks Scrounger.

I'm more keen on detecting, so I might head out to the GT. From all reports Eldorado is mostly fine gold.
I'll be driving down from Canberra, so I'll probably give myself a full day.

 

[SCROUNGER]

Yeah, if detecting for nuggets then definitely the GT mate. I just drove home from Jindabyne in the Snowies to Ballarat and it only took 8 hours towing a boat with my defender. So coming down the freeway you could be in the GT from Canberra by midday/early arvo with an early start and get one full day at least out in the field i reckon.

 

[user 1769]

Thanks scrounger!

Is anyone keen to catch up at Tarnagulla or Dunolly area on Fri 4th of December or Sat 5th?
I'd love company for my first Vic outing, and it'd be awesome to meet some interstate PA'ers

 

[WalnLiz]

100% the triangle Miguel. The beachworth region and nuggets don't get along together. If in the ranges you need to be closer to the Dargo High Plains area, but that's a much longer way to get to Melbourne, and would restrict your time in the paddock.

Wal.

 

[SCROUNGER]

Thanks scrounger!

Is anyone keen to catch up at Tarnagulla or Dunolly area on Fri 4th of December or Sat 5th?
I'd love company for my first Vic outing, and it'd be awesome to meet some interstate PA'ers

Could be mate, but too far off for me to commit this far in advance. I personally don't detect up in those two areas though, so you may be better off meeting one of the locals to those specific areas if they're keen.

 

[AtomRat]

dunollyman?

 

[Brutus and me]

Anywhere between tarna and Dunolly if you work the diggings with your 2300 you will find pieces.
Yes they have all been worked but theres always little pieces layin around.

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

mfdes....i'm local'ish to the Dunolly area, look me up when the time is close, and i'll get out there with ya.

Gypsy

 

[user 1769]

Thanks everyone,

I'll bump a couple of weeks in advance to see if anyone else is keen for a catch-up. Is Dunolly a good place to stay the nights?

Cheers,

Miguel

 

[user 5415]

Laancoorie or Dunolly parks are OK, tenting?

 

[user 1769]

Nah, probably in a pub or motel. I have to fly to Canberra for a conference with my gear, then drive to Melbs, then fly back to Hobart, so I have no room for camping gear.

 

[user 5415]

Both parks have cabins and vans for rent, no pub open in Dunolly

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

I can also lend ya a tent if ya wanna save some scratch mfdes....

 

[user 1769]

Thanks fellas, I just booked myself into the Golden Triangle Motel before I saw your messages. It'll be easier since I'm travelling out of a suitcase

 

[GypsyGoldAu]

Hey hey, looks swish...and a great BBQ by the looks of it, so a cpla steaks and a few brews at days end sounds a treat....

 

[Brutus and me]

Graham I think, a real nice bloke.....
he sells little nuggets there as well....
he will also offer some advice if asked.
If camping in the bush at wanyarra he also lets u shower and shave in one of the restrooms for 5 bux

 

[user 1769]

Great to know, thanks!

 

[Brutus and me]

oh and last time I was there if you stayed there he arranged for you to get 10% off at goldsearch.
As I said a really nice bloke