Hi all,
Ive recently moved to Melbourne from the UK and just started gold panning.
I went to a creek not far from the City in Warrandyte and found my first tiny piece of gold. I also found a small tiger snake coming towards me about 1m away. I naturally 5hit myself and ran away, which ive since learnt is the wrong thing to do.
I've since been back to the same spot twice (admittedly upstream and closer to my car) and haven't found any gold or snakes.
It did get me thinking about safety though. In my naiviety, I honestly didnt think there would be snakes that close to the city. I didn't grow up with these kinds of dangers so I really am in the dark.
I want to go further afield than the outskirts of Melbourne eventually, and i know i can't do this unprepared. Although im still not entirely sure of the definition of 'the bush'. Is this just anywhere outside of towns and cities?
In my backpack i carry the following along with prospecting gear:
- small survival kit from anaconda which contains the standard items you get in survival kits such as fire lighters, fishing line, fishing hook, etc. I may take some items out and replace them with more relevant items.
- leatherman mutlitool - knife, saw, pliers, etc.
- binoculaurs
- 2x 1ltr water bottles
- cigarettes and lighter (needed these to slow my heart down after seeing the tiger snake)
- compass
- work mobile phone on seperate network to my personal phone.
- Miners Right Permit
- insect repellant
- sunscreen
- glasses as i wear contacts so if they come out for whatever reason i can see. Properly blind without them.
- thick builders gloves
- 3m length of rope
- 2 or 3 Carabiners
- Gopro camera
Clothing:
- Lately ive been in my work gear which is building site attire - thick canvas combats, long sleeved high vis shirt. On the weekend i would probably wear jeans and a t shirt
- footwear was walking boots, however ive since brought gummy boots as i heard they provide some protection from snakes and also keep your feet dry although not heavy and not great to walk in.
On my shopping list i want to get the following:
- Snake Bite First Aid Kit
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Gaiters
- thick combat trousers for weekend prospecting
- topography maps of areas i am going to
Also i have a work ute but its not a 4x4. Hilux workmate, so the lowered version of the normal hilux. Im not planning on going offroad in it, but last weekend i went up to Castlemaine and the Satnav took me on a dirt road that it didnt like. Made it fine but its not great at it.
Is there anything else i might need? Im not planning on going more than 200-300 meters from the car until im comfortable with what im doing and i am more properly prepared.
Thanks in advance for your replies. This forum is really helpful to us new blokes.
Ive recently moved to Melbourne from the UK and just started gold panning.
I went to a creek not far from the City in Warrandyte and found my first tiny piece of gold. I also found a small tiger snake coming towards me about 1m away. I naturally 5hit myself and ran away, which ive since learnt is the wrong thing to do.
I've since been back to the same spot twice (admittedly upstream and closer to my car) and haven't found any gold or snakes.
It did get me thinking about safety though. In my naiviety, I honestly didnt think there would be snakes that close to the city. I didn't grow up with these kinds of dangers so I really am in the dark.
I want to go further afield than the outskirts of Melbourne eventually, and i know i can't do this unprepared. Although im still not entirely sure of the definition of 'the bush'. Is this just anywhere outside of towns and cities?
In my backpack i carry the following along with prospecting gear:
- small survival kit from anaconda which contains the standard items you get in survival kits such as fire lighters, fishing line, fishing hook, etc. I may take some items out and replace them with more relevant items.
- leatherman mutlitool - knife, saw, pliers, etc.
- binoculaurs
- 2x 1ltr water bottles
- cigarettes and lighter (needed these to slow my heart down after seeing the tiger snake)
- compass
- work mobile phone on seperate network to my personal phone.
- Miners Right Permit
- insect repellant
- sunscreen
- glasses as i wear contacts so if they come out for whatever reason i can see. Properly blind without them.
- thick builders gloves
- 3m length of rope
- 2 or 3 Carabiners
- Gopro camera
Clothing:
- Lately ive been in my work gear which is building site attire - thick canvas combats, long sleeved high vis shirt. On the weekend i would probably wear jeans and a t shirt
- footwear was walking boots, however ive since brought gummy boots as i heard they provide some protection from snakes and also keep your feet dry although not heavy and not great to walk in.
On my shopping list i want to get the following:
- Snake Bite First Aid Kit
- Personal First Aid Kit
- Gaiters
- thick combat trousers for weekend prospecting
- topography maps of areas i am going to
Also i have a work ute but its not a 4x4. Hilux workmate, so the lowered version of the normal hilux. Im not planning on going offroad in it, but last weekend i went up to Castlemaine and the Satnav took me on a dirt road that it didnt like. Made it fine but its not great at it.
Is there anything else i might need? Im not planning on going more than 200-300 meters from the car until im comfortable with what im doing and i am more properly prepared.
Thanks in advance for your replies. This forum is really helpful to us new blokes.
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