Tweed Heads noob. hopefully starting for fun with family.

[fish4gold3]

wife, 2 kids and I came up with an idea to have some fun gold digging. but so many rules! Im starting to get scared off from the whole idea even after I built a high banker i'm just lucky i haven't bought any matts and the materials i used to build it I salvaged from work scraps.

so i have a few questions if you guys could please give me a simplified answer of the regulation please.

now I'm not a big reader and i find it hard to interpret laws and regulations. but from what i have been reading is that the "high banker" is not permitted. but what i also have been reading from this site is that its more so the pump that makes it illegal? so can i just not use my pump and pour buckets? could i pump water to a container and then transfer the water via bucket?

is a river sluice permitted? if so I could just alter the high banker to become a river sluice.

is a metal detector really needed? wife wants to buy one but I'm not too keen on investing $1000 for a couple fun weekends before the kids and wife get bored.

Is there anything else i need to know so i don't get into trouble?

thank you in advance.

 

[Way2go]

Welcome,

From what I have been reading, the use of a pump is not permitted as it is a mechanical device. If you are using a bucket and filling from a creek or river, I believe it is ok. This would be hard work though.

A river sluice is ok from what I have read.

Depending on where you go a metal detector can be fun. You can use them to search for old coins or lost jewellery in parks, old townships and down the beach. $1000 can seam a bit much, though can you put a price on your wife's happiness? I go by a happy wife a happy life. Usually my wife is saying no to buying a detector (or upgrading to a newer one). If they use it a few times then say they don't want to use it any more, you always have the opportunity to sell it. Yes it might be at a small loss, but you can rack that up as a higher fee for the time you have had it.

Make sure you have permission to detect if going onto private property. Check to see if there are permits required (NSW State Forrest have these, available online). Make sure you don't prospect in national parks, unless there is a provision allowing you to.

Finally, enjoy the experience with the family no matter what you find or don't find.

Cheers

 

[7.62marksman]

fish4gold3 PM sent

 

[Mackka]

Hey Fishin, welcome.
As you live at the Tweed( for those that don't know the area, that's the town in NSW that want to be Queenslanders hehehe. :lol: :lol:
Mate buy a tector and hit the beaches . I am sure Lonewolf can assist with info.
Mackka