Hi all
Having arrived home from FNQ on Friday, and noting the couple of messages on the site about Qld I thought I would post something on our experiences. Unfortuately no gold was found by us in the various areas we visited but we did see many pieces found by people at the various places we visited.
At the outset, I need to acknowldege the invaluable help from those members of the group who made our trip so enjoyable. First, Jonathan Porter was terriffic in giving up nearly and hour on the phone to give me what advice he could on places and techniques. Thanks JP. We could not have done without the help of Bobupnorth who came with us to the Hodgkinson field and showed us around. He was great company and we hope to return the hospitality here down south soon.
QldSandy also offered to catch up but we were unable to follow through - unfortunate bearing in mind what has been found in Charters recently. Last but certainly not least was Banjo100 - who as usual gave great advice.
So where did we go? Our first stop was Mt Mulligan Station which takes in the whole of the Hodgkinson goldfields. Mt Mulligan is happy to host prospectors and even provides a camp ground with flushing toilets and showers. About 20ks from the homestead is the original township of Kingsborough. This is also an excellent place to camp with showers and toilets in a park-like setting. This is right in the heart of the goldfields and we spent most of our time here. Cost is $5 per person per day. There are also plenty of other places to camp. If you intend to go anywhere on Mt Mulligan - do the right thing: call at the homestead and get them to sign your fossickers license and pay the daily fee. We saw a beautiful 3.6 oz speci found while we were there and a couple of other pieces were in evidence as well. Larger pieces had been found in the weeks before our visit, including 11 oz so I believe.
After the Hodgkinson, we went to Georgetown (Flat Creek Station). Once again, the property owners have provided pretty good facilities for camping and allow fossicking right across their property. Lots of gold was found while we were there, with a 'patch' being discovered in one area. Over 40 pieces were taken while we were there, with the best we saw of a completely clean 3 oz. nugget. We loved Flat River and would go there again.
After that, we headed for the Palmer River - more to have a look at this region and to experience some of the ground which the old prospectors were on. We did not go through to Maytown like most do - rather we spent our time looking around the old area of Byerstown. You do need permission of the local landholders but this appears to be readily given to those stayting at the Palmer River Roadhouse - speak to the proprietor. We did do some detecting there but mainly travelled the region (including up to Laura and on to Cooktown).
On the way home we visited Charters Towers and Ravenswood and Clermont. Only staying a day in CT, we did not unpack the detectors but would love to go back there one day. Clermont was one of the few areas where fossicking is being promoted as a main activity to bring people into the region. While some complained about having to pay for the "Fossickers Kit" which you are required to have, it is a worthwhile thing to have as it provides maps of the General Permission Areas and details of how to find them etc. While one of the areas (close to the town) was like a public dump, the areas further away were quite the opposite and delightful to visit. I think these areas probably get a flogging but are very large so you never know. Clermont as a gold fossicking area looks great - perhaps better if you could get onto private land.
Overall, we had a fantastic visit which we are using as 'research' for next time. Apologies if this message is a bit long.. I'd be happy to respond to queries directly.
Regards
Pete
(Greeedypete1)
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