Mudgee region information and questions

[isolation]

Bunyip & Son Prospecting Tours
Mobile: 0421 564517
Email: [email protected]

Was talking to Ben a few weeks ago in Central West Prospecting Supplies, seems like a decent guy. I'm keen to do one of his tours as well.

 

[pablo71]

Have got on to ben ( bunyip and son prospecting tours) hope to there next week end .will let u know how i got on...

 

[Teemore]

Been keen to get out of Victoria to do some detecting and have decided to do a 2 day tour with WA & NSW Gold Tours. They advise this will be on private property somewhere the Windeyer (?) area. Private property tours aren't my preferred option but may help give a perspective of the overall area.
That's 2 days covered .... was intending to drive up and check out some places on the way, looks like Hill End and Tambaroora are nearby and may be worth a look either before or after the tour.
Question is are there public access areas around Windeyer worth a look or should I concentrate elsewhere .... want to squeeze in as much as possible in the 5 or 6 days with a view to maybe returning for a longer stay.
Any suggestions via forum or PM would be welcome.

Haven't given the GT areas the arse, just looking for a change of scenery.
Cheers Tom

Oh, any feedback on the tour operators also appreciated, think they've been doing OK in WA the past couple of months.

 

[user 4485]

Hi Teemore - like most places the majority of good ground around Windeyer is private property or Crown Land under lease. There is a bit of accessible land there but not a lot.
NSW Gold Tours run a good show. They are both very experienced operators so it's a good way to get some tips on what/where to look locally + pick up some tips on general detecting too.
Windeyer is a good spot to be based for a trip to the area. Close to Hargraves & Hill End or even Sofala/Wattle Flat for a look. Never know what a yarn & beer at the Gold & Fleece Hotel might lead to while you're there.

 

[Teemore]

Thanks mbasko, have the Avenza Doug Stone map of Hill End and surrounds and NSW Dig IT for some research just curious about names of local areas that are worth some more detailed research.
Initial research shows a lot of confusion and rumours of "authorities" trying to put people off as well as a fair amount EL's in the area although recent (?) changes seem to indicate permission is no longer required (in some areas/nstances).
Much easier down here in Vic ..... hope the NSW fossicking permit gives some decent do's and don'ts info.
Cheers Tom

 

[Heatho]

We don't have fossicking permits here in NSW generally Teemore, you only need a permit if you are fossicking in state forest areas.

Very difficult to get onto really good ground in NSW, as said most is private property. With the gold tour I'd be lapping up the private property as not many people ever really get on to ground like that in NSW.

You can still get lucky in the public areas though at say Hill End and Stuart Town areas.

 

[Teemore]

Thanks Heatho, have some research info on Hill End, will check out Stuart Town, no real idea where it is but Mr Google will point me in the right direction.
Want to have a good look around while still giving proper coverage over a couple of areas.
Cheers Tom

 

[user 4485]

Thanks mbasko, have the Avenza Doug Stone map of Hill End and surrounds and NSW Dig IT for some research just curious about names of local areas that are worth some more detailed research.
Initial research shows a lot of confusion and rumours of "authorities" trying to put people off as well as a fair amount EL's in the area although recent (?) changes seem to indicate permission is no longer required (in some areas/nstances).
Much easier down here in Vic ..... hope the NSW fossicking permit gives some decent do's and don'ts info.
Cheers Tom

The EL's are no longer an issue Teemore. The whole area is now under fossicking districts Mid Western Regional LGA (Mudgee, Gulgong, Windeyer, Hargraves etc.) + Bathurst Regional LGA (Sofala, Wattle Flat, Hill End etc.).
I'm sure us locals can sort something to help you out when your around the area. :Y:

 

[Teemore]

Thanks guys, might get a NSW state parks permit before I go just in case some of the areas are state parks ... still researching so will have a better idea in a few days time.
Cheers T.

 

[user 4386]

As others mentioned, not a lot of good gold areas are in State parks - far more private land than in Victoria in the gold areas. Still should have some fun - beautiful country, historic areas (Gulgong is a treat, Lawsons old house site nearby, wonderful views on Sofala - Hill End track). Seems to be less coarse gold around Sofala-Wattle Flat than other areas you mention (fine gold locked in sulphides). Hill End - Hargraves was a huge nugget area, mostly in quartz not sulphides. Ophir was sweet bugger all. Get to know people in pubs, especially landowners Was also a diamond and gemstone district around Ruby, Cudgegong and north from Sofala. Windeyer fine if you have access.

 

[Teemore]

Thanks for the info goldierocks .... probably spend as much time admiring the historic aspects of the area as I will detecting/pannig.
Looking forward to checking out something other than the GT in Vic.
Cheers T.

 

[Heatho]

Also maybe shoot Balmain Bob a PM, I think he'll still be in Hill End, he has put a few people onto a bit of gold. I'm sure he'd be up for a swing, a beer and a chat if he's still there when you are.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=342902#p342902

 

[madtuna]

Been keen to get out of Victoria to do some detecting and have decided to do a 2 day tour with WA & NSW Gold Tours. They advise this will be on private property somewhere the Windeyer (?) area. Private property tours aren't my preferred option but may help give a perspective of the overall area.
That's 2 days covered .... was intending to drive up and check out some places on the way, looks like Hill End and Tambaroora are nearby and may be worth a look either before or after the tour.
Question is are there public access areas around Windeyer worth a look or should I concentrate elsewhere .... want to squeeze in as much as possible in the 5 or 6 days with a view to maybe returning for a longer stay.
Any suggestions via forum or PM would be welcome.

Haven't given the GT areas the arse, just looking for a change of scenery.
Cheers Tom

Oh, any feedback on the tour operators also appreciated, think they've been doing OK in WA the past couple of months.

Excellent operators! Not just saying that because they are friends either. Most guests are repeat customers which speaks volumes in my opinion. Linc was born and bred in the district and knows it like the back of his hand and can smell gold.

 

[madtuna]

As others mentioned, not a lot of good gold areas are in State parks - far more private land than in Victoria in the gold areas. Still should have some fun - beautiful country, historic areas (Gulgong is a treat, Lawsons old house site nearby, wonderful views on Sofala - Hill End track). Seems to be less coarse gold around Sofala-Wattle Flat than other areas you mention (fine gold locked in sulphides). Hill End - Hargraves was a huge nugget area, mostly in quartz not sulphides. Ophir was sweet bugger all. Get to know people in pubs, especially landowners Was also a diamond and gemstone district around Ruby, Cudgegong and north from Sofala. Windeyer fine if you have access.

Can I ask what you mean by that? I've pulled bits to 2 1/2 oz from Ophir and it was one of my favourite haunts when I lived over east.

 

[mudgee hunter]

Was wondering the same myself.......... maybe he's throwing us off the good stuff.
Nope no gold here guys

 

[Teemore]

Thanks for all the feedback, looking forward to doing the tour with Link and Kim and also doing a bit of touristy stuff checking out your historic gold mining areas, always nice to get somewhere besides your usual haunts.
Cheers Tom

 

[user 4386]

I meant Ophir produced bugger-all gold historically - it was Hargraves original discovery and the miners got pretty mad with him (from memory) because it was such a dud. Fortunately he was redeeemed a bit when Sofala was discovered. Glad you got some nuggets there. I am talking about Ophir in the strict sense, which is rather a localised area - half a million ounces came out of Lucknow just down the road, and of other streams adjoining Ophir at a slight distance. However most historical production was around Hill End - Hargraves and to a lesser extent towards Windeyer - some absolute giant nuggets were found individually tens of kg in size (Gulgong production was also pretty large, Sofala-Wattle Flat smaller but OK but fine-grained). Not a lot recorded on the early alluvial gold production of those areas, but just that recorded from hard-rock and the alluvial that has been recorded was million ounce plus for the areas mentioned. A giant hard-rock gold body has recently been discovered south of Lucknow (McPhillamys).

 

[Teemore]

Mmmmm, McPhillany
Brought back memories of my racing up to Bathurst for the Bathurst 1000and camping at the top of the hill, so many memories, so many cans, so many hangovers ..... the young and stupid part of my life before I got old and wise (I wish).
Thanks again for everyones input.
Cheers T.

 

[Guest]

How was your tour mate?
Hope you had a ball. :Y:

 

[pablo71]

Great day Ben nows his stuff .will be going bac.Great service