Hello from Canberra

[RedClaire]

Hello All!

I am very, very new to prospecting and fossicking, I don't have any equipment yet!
I am interested in learning some tips and tricks and also information in regards to the best equipment for new starters ( I shall look at the information on this already here too).

I'd also like to know if there are any regulations in regards to prospecting and fossicking in Canberra? I took a look at the information in the Rules area, but there doesn't seem to be much information.

Also, does anyone know of some places in Canberra that are good to check out? I desperately love history and the stories behind the objects - this is my prime motivation to start.
There's a lovely open area in Latham where an old homestead used to be, but I'm not sure what the rules are and I am hesitant to go there incase I'm breaking the law.

Thanks guys!

 

[Greglz86]

Hi redclaire and welcome to the forum.
There's quite the few of as from canberra on here so it wont be long until you start running into a few members out and about.
As for fossicking in the act im affraid there is not much about really. 99% of places are national parks or nature reserves which mean no fossicking permitted.
Although not all hope is lost. You dont have to drive far out of the ACT in most directions to find good gemstones or gold.
As for equipment it depends on what you were planning on doing. Either it be panning for gold or gemstones or metal detecting for gold, coins or relics. Whatever gear you need the blokes down at detectaden in fishwick are very helpfull. Im sure they will steer you in the right direction.
Hope this helps. Good luck and happy hunting.
Greg

 

[RedClaire]

Hi Greg,

Thank you for your welcome! I'm glad to hear there are some like-minded Canberrans about.
I am primarily interested in relics and coins - I love the idea of the history and my imagination runs wild imagining their past owners.
Thanks for the information about Detectaden, I will definitely head out there and take a look,

Claire

 

[Colin&Lee]

Hi Claire,

Welcome to the forum. good to see the Canberra connection growing. We're ideally located to some fantastic fossicking locations within 2 1/2 hrs of the ACT. I'm not sure on the rules governing relic hunting in the ACT might need to contact TAMS. Look forward to hearing about your finds

Cheers

Col

 

[Dutchy]

Welcome aboard. This forum is good and also if your into coins and relics try this one also. Some great Canberra coins/relics are posted there also from time to time. Re Latham, that site is full of trash as it was a dump in the 60's-70's. Has been hit quite hard over the years with dirt taken out and filled in. Never know though. Remember most people think Canberra history started in the early 1900's but it really began in the 1820's. 3 weeks ago I was digging in a area that was settled in 1827 and the site next to it was the 1830's. Got a few pre 1860 coins for my efforts.

Good luck and have fun.

Dutchy (Jarhead)

http://forum.kimbucktwo.com/

 

[RedClaire]

Hi Colin,

Thank you for your suggestion, I will look at TAMS. I know ACT police have said there are no rules regarding metal detecting (except private property and modern money) so I will be interested to find out more.

Thanks for the heads up Dutchy, that's heartbreaking! I've always fantasized about what could be there. Is the 1820's site the one located near Evatt by any chance?

Thanks for all your well wishes,
Claire

 

[Coyote]

Welcome Claire,

It worth dropping into Detectaden at Fishwick. Try before you buy. I have never been in the shop but if you look in the sponsors area you will find him there. (register for a 5% discount).

Willo made a youtube video on the shop. Give it a look.

[video=480,360]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBrN2k1xxkE[/video]

Hope ya find some good relics and coins.

Cheers

Cliff

 

[RedClaire]

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the tip! I will take a look,

Claire

 

[Dutchy]

Hi Claire,

Not in Evatt and after time you will know that others will feed off info for sites. Just curious what did the police tell you about modern money (rules) found as you mentioned above? There are rules as to where you can detect though. Heritage listed sites are off limits. You can swing a detector in some places but are not allowed to dig or retrieve objects! Don't contact TAMS as they will just tell you no. Use you common sense in parks/ovals/public land and make sure you dig small holes (not with a pick as I've seen some idiots doing!) and fill the holes back in. Take all trash with you also. A good rule is to stay under the radar and keep a low profile while detecting and you should be fine. When you are able to PM me I can give you a few suggested hunting sites to start out with.

Have you given any thought to what machine you are looking at? There are plenty of good quality machines for starters that will not break the bank. Don't get talked into buying a serious machine like the E-Trac, 3030 or similar to start with. I would only suggest these if you are very serious about this hobby.

 

[RedClaire]

Hi Dutchy,

Very true, thank you for pointing that out.

I said;

What are the rules in the ACT in regards to metal detecting and prospecting/fossicking?
Obviously any current money would be handed in to yourselves, and I would need permission to be on people's property, but other than that what's the go?

ACT Policing replied;

Other than what you have listed above (private property etc) there are no rules or restrictions on their use.

I know that as a general rule, if you find money you are meant to hand it in to the Police, and after a period of weeks/months the money becomes yours if it is unclaimed. Not sure how this goes in regards to finding $2 etc. but I suppose if an officer really wanted, they could pick you up on that.

I don't understand why people would dig with picks! You could damage the item! That would be heartbreaking. I strongly believe in putting things back the way you found them.
After reading some of the horror stories on here I think I will definitely steer clear of detecting at night alone!
Thank you for offering, I will take you up on that when I have put up enough posts.

I was looking at the Detect A den website and the ACE 150 or 250 and the X-Terra 305 looked promising?

 

[Dutchy]

Re the decimals coins found under/on top of the ground with a detector they are yours and I know of no person that hands metal detecting coin finds into the police. Rings, large amount of notes, etc. is the items meant to be handed in. Trust me when I say the ACT Police don't know about metal detecting rules and really don't care. If an officer ever picks you up on finding a $2 detected coin please let me know.

The ACE 250 or 305 would be the better one to start with. The 150 is good for going around the wood bark piles on playground and bought my daughter one for that reason.

 

[RedClaire]

Thanks for the clarification, glad to know the Police don't want all discovered 20 cent pieces!

I shall take a look at the 250 or 305, thanks for the advice; I don't plan in looking only in wood piles!

 

[Dutchy]

Hi Claire,

Take a look at my post from yesterday and see what type of goodies are around here. Disclaimer: I have about 20 years relic/coin hunting experience and using what arguably is the best machine of its type in the world.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6805

 

[RedClaire]

Hi Dutchy,

Great finds! Thanks for sharing!
Hmm.. I shall hope for beginners luck then!