Gday, the wife and I finally have a day to ourselves and we have always wanted to go to Lefroy as we have never been there, we are heading there tomorrow, and we are hoping to find a spot to do some panning and maybe some metal detecting, we both have our prospecting licenses is there any areas where we can freely prospect and if so what areas would you recommend, please and thank you?
1 Like
Hi Rickie,
Only just read your post, so not sure if your day out has come and gone?!
Lefroy township still has a small population living there, so 1st advice is to stay well away from any private property.
There is a fair area of state forest that straddles the Bridport road, with old workings either side.
There are many OPEN shafts, so don’t step where you can’t see!
Your licence does allow for prospecting in state forest, however technically you need to check and get written permission from any lease/licence holders ie: Mineral Exploration Licences (EL’s).
You can find this information on the MRT website.
The ground around Lefroy is currently under an EL held by Staveley/ Nubian Resources.
Research is time well spent in this game.
However, all this can take the gloss off what should be a fun day out with the missus!
One suggestion is to book in the 10-11th of Feb, and come to Back Creek. The details are on this forum. You’ll most likely find gold, meet some great people and get advice on panning & detecting in general.
Hope to see you both there!
cheers
Drystone
4 Likes
I live just out of Lefroy, be happy to show you around some of the old mining areas if your back here some time. Just send me a PM a week or so before as I work odd hours.
3 Likes
Hi Im new here. Just bought an Equinox 900 and want to try it on gold. I’ve got my prospecting license. Is there anywhere on back Creek or the state forest, you don’t need permission to prospect? How hard is it to get permission otherwise.
Regards Mike
2 Likes
Hi Mike,
Much of the Back Creek goldfield is covered by mining leases which are off-limits.
However, there is a portion that is only covered by exploration licenses which is accessible* There are areas along the old Lefroy Rd that may be worth a look too.
(* part of the prospecting licence requires one to seek permission from the licence holder.)
What areas are under ML or EL can be looked up via the MRT website, in particular the map:
https://maps.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/portal/apps/sites/#/mrt
** I strongly recommend downloading and using Australian Travel Geology Maps (commonly known as “Trilobite” ) to use in the bush. You can add overlays such as mineral deposits, lease boundaries etc and with your phone location ON you will know exactly where you are. **
No excuse for trespassing 
The Equinox 900 should go alright for gold, especially with a small coil.
The target ID numbers will be low (1-9) if using park mode, nice bright tones if in gold mode (I have an 800)
You may dig up a few ferrous hot rocks and charcoal at times dependingvwhere you go.
Be mindful of snakes and good luck!
Cheers
AG
Show quoted text
3 Likes
Great thanks so much for that.
I don’t live to far from there.
Cheers Mike