South-eastern Queensland fossicking
Deep Creek fossicking area
In 1867 a discovery of alluvial gold in a gully near the Mary River began the first major gold rush in Queensland, rescued the colony's economy and founded the mining town of Gympie. Today tourists and holiday-makers can try their luck in a gold-bearing gully in the town.
Fossickers require a fossicking licence in all areas and must comply with the special conditions of access.
Access
Deep Creek is at the southern entrance to Gympie, between the Bruce Highway and Brisbane Road. To access Deep Creek, exit the Bruce Highway at Noosa Road.
From the south, turn left onto Brisbane Road, then right onto Albert Road, and right again onto Counter Street.
From the north, turn right onto Brisbane Road, turn left onto Graham Street and left again onto Victoria Road.
There are 2 entrance turnstiles, one each at the ends of Counter Street and Victoria Road. Yellow metal posts mark the boundaries of the fossicking area; please do not go outside these.
Map
Facilities
Camping is not allowed. Accommodation is available in Gympie at several motels, hotels and caravan parks.
Fossicking notes
Gold in the fossicking area is derived from weathering and erosion of the Columbia, Smithfield, Monkland, Never Mind and Russell reefs. No records exist of the early alluvial diggings to indicate the depth of the alluvium or its gold content.
The area was extensively worked in the first couple of years, but it is likely that gold may still be found as a result of reconcentration over the years or in pockets missed by the early miners. The most likely place is along the bed of the creek, in particular on the inside of the creek bends. The alluvium there consists of silty sand, which incorporates sand and small rock chips from old crushing batteries upstream. Depth in the creek banks exceeds 1m and in places may reach 5m.
Panning is the simplest recovery method.
The creek is prone to seasonal flooding and is therefore susceptible to erosion. It is home to many native flora and fauna, including platypus and turtle species. Please help protect wildlife by following the fossicking rules including only using permitted hand equipment.
Special conditions
Fossickers must comply with directions given by a sign or notice from Gympie Regional Council, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development or any other authorised department.
To prevent erosion, fossicking is not allowed in the creek bank. Fossicking is allowed in the creek bed using pans. Other hand tools, educator dredges, sluices, dry blowers or machinery of any other type are not permitted.
Do not interfere with wildlife, flora, fauna, infrastructure, land improvements or land remediation areas.
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
All rubbish (including organics) must be removed from the area and disposed of legally.
Keep motor vehicles to designated roads and obey all signage relating to vehicle access and bring no other machinery.
If you bring a pet, you must:
- keep them on a lead and under control at all times
- not let them cause nuisance, or annoy other visitors or wildlife
- removed their faeces from the area and dispose of it legally.
Fires are not permitted and should not be lit under any circumstances within the fossicking area.