In this historically gold-rich region, with its fascinating and varied natural surroundings, recreational prospecting seems like a fantastic activity for the whole family, doesn’t it?

Well it is, but it’s not that simple, and prospective prospectors are being reminded to follow the rules and be respectful of the local environment and heritage. Around here in particular, a key point is that you can’t just head out the door and start digging.

Get certified

Step One is to obtain a miner’s right, which is cheap, easy and will last 10 years. This allows you (and your minor miners) to prospect and fossick for gold, gemstones and other minerals in Victoria – but you must follow the terms of the relevant heritage laws.

Respect heritage

The Heritage Act 2017 (Vic) protects all historical archaeological sites in Victoria; it is an offence to disturb or remove objects (also known as artefacts) from any archaeological site. All places on the Victorian Heritage Register fall into this category and that includes the Maldon Township, for example.

Thus, old gold rush maps are of no use to modern fossickers. Maps of permissible places can be found on the Parks Victoria website – there’s a helpful map of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, colour-coded to show where you can and can’t go prospecting.

The online map for Maldon is not easy to find (search for ‘Maldon Historic Area Prospecting Areas’) but it is important because it shows that while large swathes of the historic area are open to detectorists, key sites are not. It is forbidden to fossick or prospect on ANZAC Hill, Butts Reserve, North British Mine – and more – if you want to to avoid being fined by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). Hint: follow the official, government maps and not just online noticeboard chatter.

Meanwhile, all Aboriginal cultural heritage and artefacts are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006; the discovery of Aboriginal cultural heritage places or objects must be reported to the First Peoples State Relations.

Respect nature

DEECA is reminding prospectors that public land rules must be obeyed. This includes only driving on designated tracks or roads and taking all rubbish home. Fossickers may not use mechanical equipment or explosives and must restore areas disturbed by recreational prospecting through backfilling to replace removed material, including soils and leaf litter. (DEECA reports that two prospectors were recently fined $1,000 after they were found to be using mechanical equipment when searching for gold in a river in the state’s north).

Boom time

There has been a minor surge in demand for miner’s rights in 2026, with 7,700 purchased this year so far and over 115,000 active miner’s rights in Victoria. Over the past six months, Resources Victoria has been conducting patrols throughout the state to help prospectors better understand the activities permitted at their location. Inspectors also regularly check miner’s rights are valid, that prospecting is occurring where allowed and environmental safeguards are being observed.

Gold rush

Is it all too difficult? No – just do the research and be respectful. Prospecting is a great hobby, plus your <$30 miner’s right allows you to keep any gold or gems that you find. Why not rush out and try it?

Resources:

• https://resources.vic.gov.au/recreational-prospecting
• https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/fossicking-prospecting

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 3 July 2026.