Brisbanites road trip SE & Central QLD and associated frustrations...

Hi all

Precis: I'm currently on a road trip up the east coast (QLD)... it's VERY frustrating when you pass through an area that displays signs that it might be a good detecting spot and you don't get the chance to be discreet about having a look... so many places on my trip thus far have been brilliant potential prospects but are not so easily accessed.

...

I started out yesterday from Brisbane and headed inland to the Blackbutt/Nanango area, then on to Kilkivan, Gympie and up to Maryborough... incredible country with sooooo many potential sites. Blackbutt and Kilkivan look seriously amazing and is tempting to just buy up a chunk of country there to explore. FYI: There are currently a number of properties on Black Snake Rd for sale around the old Copper mine which look very appealing (refer to realestate.com)!

I made my way (well as far as I could in my sports car lol) to the 7 Mile Diggings area but had to stop short as the road was seriously damaged and could only be passed by a 4WD ... Personally, I reckon the old copper mine site on Black Snake Rd would be worth a look if you could gain access.

Unfortunately, the 500+km trip resulted in me going to the Deep Creek 'designated' area at Gympie. There were a few teams there panning; my detecting resulted in nothing but junk so after a couple of hours gave up for the day.

Today... my trip took me up to Rockhampton... I passed through one particular area near Gin Gin where the road cut through a hill where the cuts displayed a very obvious Quartz vein about 20 - 30cm wide in this amazingly rich red volcanic ground! I was both gobsmacked and freakin annoyed that there was absolutely no way I could discretely park the car and investigate further. GRRRR... All the way up to Rockhampton it was like this with serious areas worth exploration; either rich mineralised areas with exposed Quartz, or wide gravelly creeks; all with no 'rest area' adjacent. If only we had 'cloaking' technology to hide our vehicles LOL.

Tomorrow, I plan to suss out around Mt Morgan area (particularly Dee River to the south), possibly the Morinish area NW and the Mt Wheelan area NE of Rockhampton, then will head up to Mackay for a family visit for the weekend.

On the return next week, I intend to rent a 4WD for a day or two and explore Clermont/Emerald areas...

I am hoping (sorry praying is against my religion), that my trip will result in the materialisation of the sacred metal!!!

...Until the next installment...

Brisbanite.

I stumbled upon this on the 'Explore Australia' website:

"You can still dig around in this old fossicking area 11 km south of Nanango, though it’s unlikely you’ll find any gold. Accessible by 4WD only via Old Coash Rd/Old Esk North Rd, this site has no facilities and suits self-sufficient campers (bring water and firewood). Camping is free but visitors must obtain a permit from the South Burnett Energy and Information Centre."

What's with the "... though it's unlikely you'll find any gold." remark?!?!?