Norvic Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Yeah, Mn my part of AU is not ideal, recently most of the private land I`ve been very fortunate to have access to for 40 + years is no longer available. Property owners have had a gut full of the disrespectful way their land has been used by prospectors/hunters/campers etc. There is some properties that allow access for a fee and provide camping grounds as Paul has found, but it is a big remote area, not ideal for a couple of weeks prospecting. IMO Victoria offers much more to you folks, who are limited by time, a much smaller concentrated gold "triangle" with excellent access by ordinary vehicles and close by 5 star amenities, that if you wish allows you to travel to each day efficiently, plus but check this is current with NE, has State Forests that allow camping right on the gold. I loved my time in Victoria back in the 90s but as NE advises it gets bloody cold in winter, tis why Victorians travel up here to tropical NQ each winter in the droves. I do not travel distances anymore and am very content with my "backyard" which is a couple of thousand miles from Victoria. Also as per Freds advice, Doug Stones guides/maps are worth their weight in gold, especially in his and NEs "backyard" Victoria. But as per norm I enjoy taking like minded visitors to some of my old NQ haunts, Paul accompanied me to a few and can give you his perspective which I suspect is far less "biased" then mine. I say biased coz I`m proudly NQ AU born & bred, nothing compares to NQ, NQ people, NQ gold, NQ barra etc etc...……...? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelPhase Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 16 hours ago, mn90403 said: A couple of days ago I pulled the trigger on a solo trip to Australia, Melbourne and Victoria to be exact. I have the Visa. I have a Miner's Right. I'll be there from Thursday morning 8:30AM the 9th of May thru Thursday morning the 30th of May which will make for 20 days of detecting. It says the highs will be in the high 60s and lows in the 50s. The sun will rise about 7:30 and set about 5. There seems to be a fair amount of rain for the month. I've been reading Fred's books. He has one of Doug Stone's which is the Gold Atlas of Victoria. There are also many online resources and several of you here have some great suggestions for me. My itinerary is open for some nugget prospecting days and a couple of beach days. My tentative plan would be to get off the plane, rent a vehicle and head to Bendigo area for a motel and then be ready for a hunt the next day. I might even be up for a hunt the day I arrive ... possibly at a beach. I'm sure I'll be meeting up with some of the forum members when I'm there so let's just see what happens. Mitchel Give me a shout when you're here. There are plenty of other goldfields away from Bendigo that havent been hit quite as hard. I can point you towards a few and maybe even manage to get out myself for a swing. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampstomper Al Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 5 hours ago, mn90403 said: ...Just buy a chip when I get there... Mitchel Mitchel -- try to buy the little things here before you jet.. Even something as common these days as a memory chip will cost you close to double there.. An Oz made pick I understand tho.. Swamp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 1 hour ago, SteelPhase said: Give me a shout when you're here. There are plenty of other goldfields away from Bendigo that havent been hit quite as hard. I can point you towards a few and maybe even manage to get out myself for a swing. SteelPhase, I WILL take you up on that sometime after the first few days. As I get closer to the time of the trip I'll firm up some things with you. Would it be better for me to rent a vehicle I can sleep in for prospecting in your area or is a pre-dawn drive and after sunset drive ok? Mitchel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbeatty Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Mitch: Highly recommend a campervan for prospecting in Vic. I use a diesel VW T5 poptop 4wd and basically camp anywhere I damn well please. I do my laundry at laundromats in towns (or coin washers at caravan parks, although I never stay at these) Even at Reg Wilson's spacious and comfortable mansion I still prefer sleeping in my van! The amount of money saved touring in this way is immense and more than justifies campervan rental. You don't need a large van, indeed the smaller the better for following bush tracks. I'm getting softer as I age (disgracefully) and have now fitted up myself with a hot water system (with a shower out the back door) Most towns in Vic are RV friendly so water is usually available free somewhere. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 Dear Mr. Beatty (JR in the future): Thank you for your recommendations, especially about the campervan rental. Where would be the best place to obtain one? Now, as to my hygiene, I'm bringing 4 pairs of undershorts for the trip. That means I will have a clean pair for each week of the trip and a couple of extras if I include the pair I'll be coming with on the plane. You never know I might need an extra in case I get one pair wet or something. If I plan it right I should have a 'clean' pair for the trip home. ? As far as a shower in the bush is concerned, I've noted that there will be a fair amount of rain while I'm there so I should be fine. If that is not sufficient I can dampen a paper towel from my drinking water and get clean. Mitchel PS: Is there an extra charge for getting the stink out of a car when it has been in the bush for a few weeks? ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbeatty Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 5 minutes ago, mn90403 said: Dear Mr. Beatty (JR in the future): The only person who calls me that is my bank manager. JR is fine and I hope you don't mind being called Mitch! 9 minutes ago, mn90403 said: PS: Is there an extra charge for getting the stink out of a car when it has been in the bush for a few weeks? Others may, but I can't smell mine! 3 minutes ago, phrunt said: if you want to go cheap and nasty wicked campers is for those on an extreme budget Aren't they the ones with silly slogans painted on them? Personally I've had no experience with rentals but your travel people should be able to organise something in advance from there. Remember we drive on the "wrong" side of the road though - - - :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 26 minutes ago, phrunt said: if you want to go cheap and nasty wicked campers is for those on an extreme budget https://www.wickedcampers.com.au/bookings/ would do the trick though Looks to be about $80 a day for a 4WD plus the fuel. What is the cost there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrbeatty Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Prices in Bendigo, Vic ATM: unleaded 91 = 1.19 A$ per litre Diesel = 1.32 A$ per litre https://petrolspy.com.au/map/latlng/-36.75871120000001/144.2837459 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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