The gold era may be over for Mudgee Region but it’s Golden History is today’s treasure. For those who are curious about what the region has to offer during that period, fossicking may just be the best activity for you.
The activities and areas are regulated but will be a fun discovery experience for all ages. There are various areas for fossicking in Mudgee Region. Let’s have a look at some of these places.
Tambaroora Fossicking Area
Located 67km from Mudgee, Tambaroora offers a fossicking area for curios explorers. The area is located on the right-hand side of Hill End Road, at the point where Tambaroora Creek crosses the road. There are allocated areas for fossicking, contact the National Parks and Wildlife office for details – 02 6370 9050.
To find this spot, look for the Tambaroora Fossicking Area signpost and turn left into the fossicking area on Abbots Road. When entering, do not dig on or near the 4WD crossing. Instead, continue past the initial crossing and into the commons area to fossick.
Gulgong
Built around and over many of the original goldfields is the town of Gulgong. The Gulgong Gold Experience (the location of the original gold discovery) creates an authentic insight into the Gulgong Gold Rush including a stamper and poppet head over an original mine shaft. Open Wed-Sun 10am to 2pm (7 days during school holidays + long weekends), call 0418 541 998.
The Gulgong Gold Experience has been excavated into the slopes of Red Hill and incorporates the original commissioned tile mural that was erected in 1988 depicting the gold leads of the Gulgong.
Visitors gets an insight into life on the gold fields with the enlarged Holtermann photograph along with an original dray.
The site has an underground theme and provides a replica underground mining tunnel which is tunneled into the back wall with interesting features to explore and stories to be told.
Once above ground, the examples of quartz rock, the view down the original mine shaft, and the tranquil view over Red Hill, form part of the Gulgong Gold Experience.
For visitors who want to immerse themselves more, gold panning is available. Gravel from local gold-bearing creeks is brought in regularly and panning equipment is free to ticketed visitors.
Sofala Gold Panning
Set along the Turon River, Sofala is Australia’s oldest surviving gold mining town and there remains gold to be discovered! Go on gold panning tours that the family can try. There are also river camps around Turon River if you’re up to it.
You can visit the around town and be transported back in time.
Mudgee fossicking and gold panning experiences continue to draw interest from tourists, even the young generation. Although these experiences may disappoint those who are looking for the real thrill of finding location and gold on their own, this new experience is attracting a different generation who finds joy in experiencing the golden era of the region and immersing on the experience.