Hargraves / Windeyer area NSW

[muzz]

Very rarely can you prospect right where you camp with huge results plenty of areas not far from the park to go leave the back of the park for the novice and beginners as we have all been there if you want gold you have to work a bit harder than a ten metre walk to the creek it's a nice place and I always choose to respect the landowners laws even if they are wrong cause it's just not worth the argument and torment when your on a trip easier to just find another spot just my opinion

 

[Twapster]

I did walk away , didnt cause a fuss as I knew the Parks bit of Creek would be pretty well screwed . Tried a few place and got one or two specks , but nothing worth continuing . Went home to Gulgong and found way more gold there panning a local creek Gold in every pan and some was actually chunky , although still tiny .

Nothin better than local knowledge Jeff!

 

[mbasko]

Some accommodation/camping options for anyone wanting to check out the Hargraves / Windeyer area:

Acacia Ridge Bushcamp - https://www.youcamp.com/properties/542 or on mobile 0428217817 (business number). Contact name is Steve & he seems like a nice bloke.
The campground has sites for $20/night or 4 x pre-erected tents for $80/person. The pre-erected tents include dinner & breakfast. Facilities include hot shower, toilet, kitchen/dining/lounge area + campfire. There is also access to a gold bearing creek for panning only.

Hargraves Sportsground - contact Hargraves General Store (02) 6373 8540

Bushland Tourist Park Windeyer - http://bushlandstouristpark.com.au/

Farmstays (good for the kids etc.):
Hargraves - https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/doc/member-docs/4485/1466391594_mcdonalds__farmstay_print_version.pdf
Windeyer - http://bamackfarmstay.com.au/

 

[mbasko]

Things to do: (besides the obvious fossicking/prospecting drawcard )
Mudgee Observatory
http://www.mudgeeobservatory.com.au/

Burrendong Dam (Cudgegong River Park)
https://www.inlandwaters.com.au/park/info/cudgegong-river

Visit Mudgee/Gulgong
http://visitmudgeeregion.com.au/

http://www.mudgeebusiness.com/tourist-attractions.html

Visit Hill End
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Hill-End-Historic-Site

http://heatgg.org.au/he/hill-end-story/what-to-see-do-in-hill-end/

 

[Digginholes]

Hey mbasko, would you happen to have any info on the crown land around Windeyer ?
I have the doug stone atlas that shows crown land but not sure how accurate it is and would like to be sure as I went for a drive out there and most of the places looked to be private.
Any info or links would be greatly appreciated
Cheers

 

[mbasko]

A lot of the land on Doug's maps showing as Crown Land around there is under lease & you would need permission to access.
Without sitting down with the map it's a bit hard to point out what's what but if you give me a few days I'll try to get some info together. On nights at the moment.

 

[Digginholes]

That would be awesome
No big rush mate just shoot me a msg when ya get around to it
Cheers

 

[bazxa]

Mudgee Observatory.

John is very knowledgeable about astronomy and it is a good night, cloud dependent of course.

Barry

 

[mbasko]

Just a heads up the Hargraves area is still under an Exploration Lease (Hill End Gold) & there is no designated fossicking area out there per se. If Hill End Gold come across you & ask you to stop fossicking they are within their rights. There has been a push by NAPFA & others to get the Mid Western Regional LGA declared a fossicking district but it hasn't happened yet.
In saying that I've never had an issue out there on the Hargraves Common. Not sure if the Common is still under the management of a Common Trust or if it's now just crown land? Like said never had an issue there so haven't bothered chasing it up. I have spoken to a few locals out there some of whom own bordering property. They've never deterred me from being there but one did tell me he thought one of the property owners out the northern end did hold a grazing lease of some description over it. He wasn't sure whether it was still a Common or not & the lease was through the trust or whether it was a crown land lease? I've never seen any stock other than a few ragged looking, now wild sheep on it either so who knows?
You should be aware that there is private property within & on the borders of the Common. If you have to open a gate or jump over a fence to get to somewhere then you're probably trespassing.
None of the locals I have ever spoken to had any real issue with people going/being up there. One bloke had a bit of a rant about open holes but still wasn't against us. He bushwalks through there & didn't want to go bum up treading in one :lol:
A lot of tracks were cut off last time I was out there due to fallen trees. Nothing a chainsaw wouldn't fix if you want to explore more. It's one place I wouldn't want to be in a storm & yes some of the bog holes can be deceiving.
It's a huge area & there are diggings throughout - sometimes you need to do some walking to find them. They aren't always obvious although the obvious ones are

 

[mbasko]

Hill End is in the Bathurst LGA is a fossicking district so you don't need their permission to fossick. Hargraves & Mid Western Regional LGA is not so by rights you do need their permission fossick. Yes you'd be unlucky to see them there these days but they are still pursuing a mining lease at Big Nugget Hill which is further south of the common & have areas of interest within the Common. They have done a fair bit of exploration through the Common & the new/regraded tracks etc. were put in by them.
If it's still a Common it won't be leased. It will be managed by a Common Trust who can then give Commoners certain rights to land use like grazing etc. By rights you still need their permission to be on the land if it is still a Common.
If it has reverted to unleased/unmanaged crown land then yes you can go there without permission.
Have you rung Dubbo to find out that it's now not a Common or not under lease? Giving info to say it's unleased & all ok isn't real good if you don't know that for sure. Better to let people know that there could be some hurdles out there then they can make up their own mind on it or get more info themselves.

 

[Boozlefoot]

Hullo Members.
I have found that there are some parts of Doug Stones map which leave a bit to be desired (it's not terribly accurate). Windeyer/Pyramul in particular just recently has had a bad run with "rogue" prospectors spoiling the relationship with local land owners. Fences have been deliberately pushed down with 4wd's, trees felled on private property, illegal camping on FENCED private property etc etc. I know this from personal experience as I am one of those landowners. I have even had one idiot remove survey pegs from a site where I was about to pour a slab for a new shed, and those pegs took forever to get properly squared (why would you move them anyway). We realise that the much greater percentage of prospectors who visit the area do indeed behave correctly and with respect, but lately we are having a run of idiots who are spoiling it for all concerned. "Private property" and "no trespassing" signs are starting to bob up everywhere, and places where access was freely granted are starting to close up and deny. It is a shame, but I've also denied a few lately (where it was granted before) because of the last few cowboys. Tread lightly, be reasonable and in particular self regulate, you will regain local trust again.

Cheers, Boozlefoot

 

[Guest]

Thats a shame mate,

I have been going out there for a few years now and am a regular at the Bushlands and the pub for dinner. Never had an issue and would never cross a fence without invitation.

I have seen an upsurge out there as well with holes that are not restored to near original condition.

Selfish idiots with all the gear and no idea!!

I grew up in Cootamundra and we found that a warning shot from an undisclosed location near said tresspassers got them moving!!

Always feels like Im coming home when I get out there and the people are friendly. If it gets that bad prospectors will have nowhere to go and the Bushlands and the pub will suffer as well from lack of patronage.

Cheers

RS

 

[Boozlefoot]

Not accusing rogue prospectors out of hand. They were caught "on property" with camp set and sluicing gear on the creek. Other fence busters left unfilled holes at the end of their tracks. Definitely prospectors, sorry to tell!

 

[B5MECH]

If you caught them name and shame them, did you report a rego number to the cops/rangers :|

 

[mbasko]

There are issues being caused by prospectors in this area. No ifs, buts or maybes. Unfortunate but true.
Doug Stones maps are not accurate for the area. It's something I've said before on this forum. Some seem to think they are a free pass to all areas.
Hopefully landholder's have trust earned back out there & the advice given by Boozlefoot is taken on board. Always a few can ruin it for all!

 

[Eldorado]

Thats a shame mate,

I have seen an upsurge out there as well with holes that are not restored to near original condition.

Selfish idiots with all the gear and no idea!!

I grew up in Cootamundra and we found that a warning shot from an undisclosed location near said tresspassers got them moving.

Cheers

RS

So you're a Coota boy Retirement Stone,born and bred there myself,glad I didn't trespass on your property back in the day.LOL.It is a shame some people are ruining it for others who are doing the right thing.

 

[Guest]

The only trespassing in Coota I done was visiting farmers daughters whilst he was out ploughing paddocks. Hahaha......

All farmers have guns so you got out of there asap

 

[NeilM]

RS
Starting a new thread if you want to check it out.
Questions about Coota

Neil

 

[Mustard]

Afternoon All
Just trying to research detector prospecting at Hargraves. It's not clear weather there is a area available to Joe public or is it under lease.
Found a information note stating MWR council applied for fossicking status from State government. This would allow us on exploration type leases subject to owner/land managers permission.
Has any body any further information on area. We are just travelling home after prospecting Nth Qld way.
Cheers Mustard

 

[aussiefarmer]

Prerty sure theres a common for joe public from what i know of hargraves its finer type gold but people do detect there.