Gold Prospecting AcademyAustralia · Queensland
Real outback training · real gold skills

Learn gold detecting in the Aussie bush

A full day on the goldfields with Tim. Bring any metal detector suited to the goldfields and learn how to set it up, read the ground, and recover what you find.

$175Full day · per person
Book a training day See locations
Gold Prospecting Academy Auss logo: a gold detector over red outback hills at sunset, with a pan of gold nuggets and a kangaroo
The training day

What you'll learn

Hands-on, out in the field. You spend the day with your own detector in your hands, on real gold-bearing ground.

Included in your training day Basic training with the Detector Maps app Visit detectormaps.com/au

Reading the ground for gold

Hot rocks and indicator rocks

Detector setup and swing

Target recovery and bushcraft

Goldfield geology made simple

Gold panning

Operate a detector confidentlyIdentify gold-bearing groundRead geology and soil indicatorsRecover targets safely and quicklyPan for gold
Queensland goldfields

Training locations

Pick the goldfield that suits you. Each location runs on its own dates. The meeting point is shown on each location and on your booking.

Booking

Book your training day

Four steps. Choose a location, choose a date at that location, add your details, then pay. You and Tim both get the confirmation with the location and date on it.

Before you come

What to bring

Tick these off the night before.

Detecting gear

  • Detector
  • Pick
  • Scoop

Water and food

  • 3 to 5 litres of water
  • Electrolytes
  • Food for the day

Clothing and sun

  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Long sleeves
  • Comfortable shoes with no metal inserts

Bush rules

  • Tell someone where you're going
  • No detecting in storms. Lightning, and the electrical interference upsets the detector
  • Stay out of national parks and protected land
  • Never enter private property without the owner's permission
  • Keep clear of heritage sites
  • Refill every hole so animals don't get hurt
Know the ground

The Kilkivan goldfield

Kilkivan sits about 45 km north-west of Gympie and has been worked for gold for over 150 years.

  1. 27 July 1868
    The Kilkivan Goldfield is proclaimed, covering 77.69 square kilometres around the township.
  2. September 1873
    Allen Cook and Thomas Harding discover the Rise and Shine Reef. The town moves from West Coast Creek to sit beside the mine and is briefly renamed Rise and Shine, then Mount Neurum, before going back to Kilkivan.
  3. 30 March 1899
    The area becomes part of the larger Kilkivan Mineral Field, 518 square kilometres.
Questions

Good to know

Do I need my own detector?

Yes. The training is hands-on with your own metal detector, and any detector suited to the goldfields works. Not sure if yours is suitable? Message Tim before you book.

Do I need a fossicking licence?

Yes. A fossicking licence is required in Queensland. You can get one online from the Queensland Government before your training day: fossicking licences (qld.gov.au).

Where exactly do we meet?

For Kilkivan, meet at the gate at the end of Cemetery Road, Kilkivan. We kick off at 8:00am sharp and finish at 2:00pm, so arrive by 7:45am. The meeting point is also on your booking summary.

What happens if there's a storm?

We don't detect in storms. If the weather turns on your day, Tim will be in touch about moving you to another date.

Can I book for more than one person?

Yes. Pick the number of people when you book, then set the same quantity on the payment page. It's $175 for each person.