The allure of gold may be one of humans' oldest fascinations but the traditional pastime of fossicking has recently attracted a new generation of Canberrans.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kambah mechanic Sean Johnson has seen more of the new gold hunters than most as the miner trainer for the capital's only dedicated prospecting supply shop, Detect A Den, which opened last year.
"I started Coast to Coast Prospecting Tours and Training in the last two years, [and] I've noticed the numbers have increased quite significantly, basically from new people buying machines and wanting to use them properly," Mr Johnson said.
The weekend fossicker said he had trained about 35 people to use metal detectors since he started his business, with retirees and middle-aged men with their children leading Canberra's growth. It's part of what one author and prospector has called a 21st century gold boom.
"I think there's probably been more publicity around, some general detecting shows," Mr Johnson said.
"People like being out in the environment, they get a buzz when they do find gold, it's the thrill of finding it basically."
Travel is a necessity for a Canberran serious about finding the traditional reserve currency.
NSW and ACT Prospectors and Fossickers Association president Stephen Dangaard said there were about 50 ACT-based members out of nearly 1000 in the two-year-old organisation, with a number of known fruitful sites within a couple of hours' drive.
"The nearest ones are probably around Gundagai, Adelong, on the other side to Braidwood, and down the coast, to Nelligen," Mr Dangaard said.
"In the ACT it's only people looking for coins.
"There are [also] quite a number of national parks and state conservation areas within two to three hours of Canberra – fossickers aren't allowed there and we think we should be."
Mr Johnson said most fossickers used metal detectors - which retail for as little as $50 for a child's version, to more than $6000 for the latest pack - or the panning technique on the side of creeks and rivers.
He said most never made much money but the largest find by a person he had trained was $2000 worth of gold near Dunnolly in Victoria.
"He's got it on a pendant," he said.
And as for the veteran of 25 years fossicking? His biggest find was more life-changing.
"998 grams of gold, in central Victoria, in the Golden Triangle. That was about $75,000 [worth]," he said.
Top 5 gold prospecting sites within two hours' drive of Canberra
Mongarlowe, near Braidwood, NSW.
Oberon, NSW
Tuena, NSW.
Numeralla, NSW
Araleun, NSW.
