South-eastern Queensland fossicking

Sections of the Durakai State Forest have been released as general permission areas for gold fossicking. Fossickers must ensure they comply with the special conditions of access (see below).

Access

The Durikai State Forest is on the Cunningham Highway 27km west of the city of Warwick in south-east Queensland. There are only 3 practical access routes, one to each site, all of them off the Cunningham Highway.

Inside the forest, use of motor vehicles is restricted to formed roads and tracks.

Map

• Durikai State Forest fossicking area map (PDF, 471.1 KB)

Facilities

There are no facilities in Durikai State Forest and camping is not allowed.

There is a caravan park as well as a hotel close-by, as well as several motels, hotels and caravan parks in Warwick.

Apart from stock dams, there is no permanent water in the fossicking area, with all creeks drying up quickly after streamflow events. Carry all water supplies.

Fossicking notes

Colours of gold can be obtained from the alluvial sediments within stream channels and from gravel layers in low banks or possibly from crevices in rock bars.

Panning is the simplest recovery method.

Special conditions

• Fossickers must ensure they comply with the special conditions of access:
• Only fossick within the general permission area as shown on the attached map.
• Do not enter private property.
• Use only safe working practices.
• Do not undermine a stream bank or earth face or create overhangs.
• Use hand tools only (including metal detectors). Generators and machinery of any other type are not permitted.
• Do not interfere with or fossick within 10m of any stock, infrastructure or improvements.
• Remain at least 100m from registered apiary sites (whether hives are present or not).
• Carry all water supplies. No permanent potable water supply is available, and no water may be taken from dams, water bores, pump equipment, etc.
• Adults must supervise children at all times.
• Leave gates as they are found.
• Do not interfere with any vegetation, stock or wildlife.
• Keep noise and dust to a minimum.
• Ensure that dogs are on a lead and under control at all times. Remove all animal faeces from the area and dispose of legally.
• Remove all rubbish (including organics) from the area and dispose of legally.
• As no ablution facilities are available, bury human toilet waste in a hole dug into the topsoil at least 10–15cm deep and 100m away from watercourses (or any body of water) or walking tracks. Fill, cover and disguise the hole.
• Ensure excavations do not exceed dimensions of 2m x 1m and a depth of 0.5m. Refill excavations to make them safe for other visitors and stock and contour them to the surrounding land surface.
• Keep motor vehicles to formed roads and tracks only and bring no other machinery.
• Do not light any fires.
• Comply with any directions given by a sign or notice.
• The Darling Downs–Moreton Rabbit Board fence runs through parts of Durikai State Forest. It is an offence not to close a rabbit-proof fence gate immediately after use and fines apply.