Stones maps are OK - the crown land is marked but not 100% accurate. John Tully also does a more accurate set of diggings, tracks etc - about $20 per book - The Whipstick, Dunolly, Tarnagulla etc (his green bits are crown land). The Parks Victoria website has excellent maps and a guide to what is and is not allowed. You can also use 'geovic' which is a free mapping tool. If you google 'victorian miner rights faq' it has the list of sites where detecting/panning is permitted. The Whipstick is OK, most of the area around Dunolly is OK. These are huge areas with a substantial amount of diggings, reef workings and new ground. Rule of thumb - if its fenced off - keep clear (including the old selectors blocks in the scrub). There are many areas that are fenced but have reverted back to crown land but just to be safe, keep to the huge areas where it is permissible. You can get Tullys maps and very good advice from the dealers in Bendigo, Dunnolly and Maryborough - google the local town detector dealers. Most areas are 2wd accessable - on the maps that are marked 'rough track' take it as 100% they are bloody rough and there has been some grading on what were good tracks that are now dust/mud bowls.
Between Bandigo and Dunolly you also have Tarnagulla and Wanyarra (also has free camping) - both have lots of detectable places. Just be aware, the closer to the towns, and you can detect right up to both Dunolly and Tarnagulla, are very rubbishy in places. You could spend years in either place and never finish the job and its all accessible. The Rangers are very active around the forests at the moment, mainly stopping illegal fire-wood gathering and they can ask to see your Miners Right - they are generally very nice folk. Just driving around you will see lots of diggings in the forest - no fence - generally OK to detect but check the miners rights faq - most forests have signs up stating which one they are. The dealers will see you right as well.
Good luck.