mum and 5 year old son Just Starting Out from Perth WA

[G Review]

Hi All

My name is Gemma and I have a 5-year-old son Charlie. Charlie has been convincing me to start camping and is interested in finding items out in the bush area (all stem from school and going to Bush school). We found our camping equipment and purchased all items recommended for gold prospecting. Charlie got his pickaxe, digging equipment and mum has a miner's license and metal detector. We are out having some fun camping and hopefully being lucky with finding some gold pieces. We also want to take our sausage dogs on our adventures. We don't mind driving for around 5 hours so we can have a good time camping and prospecting.

Please can you advise where would be a good place to start with a very enthusiastic 5-year-old? We will at least need to find one spec of gold if we can. He's got his sun hat and fly net ready to go. Do I need to get any other licenses to go with the mine license we already have? if we do what do i need to get and how do we apply?

We are happy to take any feedback. We are just starting out and obviously not going to do this on any kind of large scale. I have tengraph access but learning how to use this with the information and videos provided.

Thank you for any help you can help us with

 

[Hippyty79]

My youngest got her miners right at 7yrs, she was proud as punch.

 

[Moneybox]

The dificult part is your location. There's no easy access to gold from Perth. You might consider getting strarted treasure hunting first simply because you can do it right near home. Most of the sandy playgrounds will give up a few coins and so will the beaches.

We moved to Cue because we used to have to travel out Kalgoolie way or north to Yalgoo or further. If you don't mind a big drive I can help you find your first bit in Cue but it won't be big. Our leases have been raided by metal detectorists for the last 40 years so there's only tiny gold left. If you just want some tips on using your detector and mapping I'm in Dianella for the weekend. PM me. Phil

 

[grubstake]

Hi Gemma - welcome to PA.

As Moneybox says above, Perth isn't well-placed for ease of access to goldfields. Moreover unlike most other states, WA doesn't have rivers or creeks where an enthusiastic child can quickly learn to dig and pan for specks and flakes.

Anyway, here's some possibly helpful local links for you:

This is the basic rules and regs stuff -
https://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Minerals/Prospectors-fossickers-1525.aspx
I believe this local club runs an annual goldfields camping expedition, which might be a good tag-a-long trip for you and Charlie -
http://www.wcmdc.com.au/
If rocks and gemstones are also of interest to the lad, here's a couple of relevant links -
https://www.walapidaryclub.org.au/https://www.perthgemmineralshow.com/

 

[G Review]

Thank you all so much for your replies. We are happy to do a long drive. We have camping equipment so we can have an adventure at the same time. We have a 4x4 which he enjoys doing as well. my boy is a little adventurer and I want to encourage it. It looks like we need to do a longer drive.

We were looking at old mine sites, can we go to these for a scan around or is this where we need to get a 40e permit and permission? Sorry for all the questions there is so much information, I am getting a little confused. We are going to look at the clubs.

Thank you so much. I think Charlie wants to be one of snow white Dwarfs cause he keeps going hi ho it's off mining we go

 

[grubstake]

We were looking at old mine sites, can we go to these for a scan around or is this where we need to get a 40e permit and permission?

Please be aware that old mine sites are potentially very hazardous environments for children and the unwary. Close supervision would be essential at all times in such areas, of which there are many in outback WA.

 

[Moneybox]

Thank you all so much for your replies. We are happy to do a long drive. We have camping equipment so we can have an adventure at the same time. We have a 4x4 which he enjoys doing as well. my boy is a little adventurer and I want to encourage it. It looks like we need to do a longer drive.

We were looking at old mine sites, can we go to these for a scan around or is this where we need to get a 40e permit and permission? Sorry for all the questions there is so much information, I am getting a little confused. We are going to look at the clubs.

Thank you so much. I think Charlie wants to be one of snow white Dwarfs cause he keeps going hi ho it's off mining we go

Gemma, I was hoping you'd cach up here in Perth over the weekend and I could show you how to read the available prospecting areas in WA.

 

[madmax800jw]

Be polite. Seek info. Don't talk just listen, you will have fun

 

[Aussie Adventurer]

Hi Gemma,
It’s fantastic to hear that Charlie is so enthusiastic about gold prospecting and the great outdoors! You’ve done an amazing job getting all the right gear, and it’s great to see you both ready for an adventure.

Where to Start
For a young prospector like Charlie, it’s best to start in areas where gold has been found before and where digging is easy.
Some great beginner-friendly locations within a reasonable drive include:

• Cue, Sandstone, and Mt Magnet – These regions have a rich gold history and plenty of accessible areas.

• Leonora/Laverton Region – If you ever make it up this way, I’d be more than happy to personally teach you and Charlie the basics of gold prospecting! If you have a few spare days, I can help you learn everything needed to start out properly.

• Golden Quest Discovery Trail – A great camping and learning experience with some historical prospecting sites.



Finding That First Piece of Gold

• Creek Beds & Wash Areas – Gold often settles in these spots after rain. Dry blowers and metal detectors work well here.

• Old Diggings:
NOTE: Old diggings where there are shafts and holes in the Ground are NOT RECOMMENDED for safety reasons!!!


INSTEAD: Please focus on areas where past prospectors have left distinct signs, such as small, often round depressions in the ground (or if you see chain lines on the surface somewhere)—these things indicate interest in the are by detector operators and if you see old detector holes that can be a great sign of gold nuggets found or a nearby alluvial wash that may contain gold nuggets. (If you’re unsure what all this means, I’m happy to explain!)

For further research, Trove.com is an excellent resource for discovering historical gold finds and identifying potential alluvial deposits.

Essential or basic Safety Equipment
When prospecting, safety is the most important factor, especially with a young child. The WA outback is remote and can be unpredictable, so always ensure you have the following:
Plenty of Water – At least 5L per person per day, plus extra. Dehydration is a real risk in remote areas.

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – As Mobile reception is unreliable in many prospecting areas. A PLB or satellite phone is a lifesaver in case of emergencies.

GPS & Maps – A GPS device (such as a Garmin or Hema) is essential for navigation. Carry paper maps as a backup.

First Aid Kit – Include snake bite bandages, antiseptic, and a basic medical kit.

Fly Nets & Sunscreen – The flies and sun can be relentless! A wide-brimmed hat and fly net will keep Charlie comfortable.

UHF Radio – If traveling in a group or near stations, a UHF radio is useful for communication.

Reliable Vehicle & Recovery Gear – If traveling off-road, make sure you have a good 4WD, a spare tire, air compressor, and recovery tracks.



Licensing & Legal Requirements
Since you already have your Miner’s Right, that covers you for general prospecting. However:

• If you join a prospecting club (like APLA - Amalgamated Prospectors & Leaseholders Association), you may get access to private leases where finding gold is much easier.

• If prospecting on Crown land or unallocated land, you’re all set. But for pastoral leases or private land, you’ll need permission from the owner.



A Special Offer If You Visit Leonora
If you and Charlie ever come up this way near Leonora, as said, I’d be more than happy to personally teach you everything you need to know to start prospecting the right way if I am in the area at the time. If you got a few days to spare then, you’ll get a solid understanding of detecting, digging, and reading the land—so you can prospect with confidence in the future!

It’s inspiring to see young adventurers getting involved, I did the same with my daughter and I’d love to help Charlie experience the thrill of gold prospecting firsthand.



Final Tips for a Fun & Safe Trip

Stay Safe – Always Inform Someone of Your Plans
Always let someone know exactly where you’ll be prospecting and how long you plan to be out.

Stick to your plan and do not deviate—this ensures that if something goes wrong, searchers will know where to look.

Set a check-in time with a trusted person, so they can raise the alarm if you don’t return as expected.
In remote areas, even a small mistake can become a life-threatening situation—stay safe and plan ahead!

• Keep an eye on the weather – WA heat can be tough, so plan around the cooler times of the day.

• Start with lightweight digging in soft ground – Hard rock areas can be tricky for little hands.

• Be snake-aware – Stick to clear ground and always carry a snake bite bandage.

• Have fun – Gold prospecting is about the adventure, not just the gold!

Here is a picture of my daughter at 5 years old in the goldfields and she was having a blast





Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions or if you plan a trip up this way. I’d love to help you and Charlie find your first piece of gold