First timer visiting Bendigo and surrounds

[Nathan]

Hi everyone, nice to meet you all,
This is my first post, I've read through some of the other posts here and appreciate all of the information you have all provided.

I'm off for a few days this coming weekend to Bendigo and have hired a Minelab GPX6000 for a few days to try gold detecting (Another newbie!) I have the Gold Atlas and miner's permits and have done a bit of research on where I'm allowed to go. I don't have any expectations of finding anything this trip until I'm more familiar with how it all works but I do have one or two questions:

Detecting in low scrub and around creek banks are great locations for snakes. Would anyone have tips on safety such as what shoes are best and tricks anyone has found to avoid them? I have a first aid kit and snake bite bandages (x2) but I'd much prefer to reduce the risk of meeting them altogether.

I'm looking at 3 areas, Whipstick, Kangaroo Flat and some one has also mentioned Laanecoorie (though I'm not sure where exactly) Which of these would be the best for finding anything or are they all about the same? Any recommendations on anywhere else that might be better around Bendigo? I have a 4WD so can access a few more offroad locations

I'll do a follow up post after the trip on where I went and if I had any luck, hopefully I'll be in a position to give back some tips or information to you all

Thank you everyone!

 

[grubstake]

Hi Nathan, welcome to PA.

Laanecoorie is the odd one out in your proposed locations - I don't recall ever hearing of detectable gold there.

Snakes are a very real menace in the sort of areas you mention, and prospectors often wear heavy duty gaiters to protect their lower legs. If you do a PA Search for 'gaiters' you'll see some recommendations.

Good luck when you get out there!

 

[Northeast]

Hi Nathan.

You’re a fair chance out the Whipstick to at least find some shiny yellow - albeit amongst a heck of a lot of lead shot and other rubbish. Just look for some old diggings, shallow workings, etc.

Snakes - in 8 years of detecting I’ve seen 1 brown snake. I think whilst detecting you’re reasonably safe. The slow moving nature of detecting, scrubbing the coil, etc, seems to move them along well before you see them. More likely that walking to and from a spot will you encounter a snake.

Long pants, a pair of good boots and some gaiters should see you safe.

Best of luck

 

[Hawkear]

Hi Nathan
Whipstick would be your best area around Bendigo although have also found gold at Kangaroo flat.
Laanecoorie is where the fabulously rich Posiedon area is located but unfortunately that is on private property. Probably Laanacoorie was mentioned as a good place to stay as it only a matter of a few minutes drive to the gullies of Tarnagulla and Waanyarra and only a few more minutes to Dunolly.
If you are hiring a detector, you want to get maximum hours of use out of it, so factor in your travelling time as driving to places like the Whipstick can involve significant travelling time even if staying somewhere in Bendigo. There is a saying for modern prospectors about "Staying or camping on the gold".
Along the lines of saving times, also consider buying John Tully prospecting guide maps (available for all the areas mentioned) as I have found them probably the best help deciding which actual gullies and even which part of the gully to head for rather than just driving around in a "general" gold area looking for detecting opportunities. Save that for later occasions when you may have more time up your sleeve.
As has been already been mentioned, snakes will not be a problem just wear some hard wearing long trousers and importantly METAL FREE boots.
I wear Redbacks but others have different preferences. Hiking shoes are also sturdy but generally have metal eyelets and with today's highly sensitive detectors, the last thing you want is ANY metal coming into and out of range of your coil while detecting. If you don't already have any, think seriously about investing in a good comfortable pair of detecting boots.
There is actually a thread about footwear in this forum.
Good luck.



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