Australia Fossicking Explorer

Fossicking in Western Australia

Western Australia is tenure-driven, so map pins are deliberately conservative. The explorer separates statutory fossicking from gold prospecting, Shire-managed permit tenements, permission-required ground and protected geoheritage exclusions while routing users through a Miner’s Right, current tenure checks and any consent or Section 40E pathway that applies.

10mapped places reviewed

3verified / conditional / permission

10primary-source links

5research-only planning records

A pin is not a legal boundary. Use the official boundary or tenure link before collecting. Research-only records are deliberately non-navigable, and closed areas are retained on the map to prevent accidental access. The ACT has no collecting pin by design because current ACT Government guidance says a fossicking licence cannot be obtained.

Before you collect

Western Australia access rule

Western Australia legally distinguishes fossicking from prospecting. A Miner’s Right is required for both. Statutory fossicking excludes gold and diamonds, uses hand tools only and is limited to hobby/specimen collecting; land tenure, reserve purpose, occupier consent and mining-tenement consent can still control access. Prospecting on a granted exploration licence requires a Section 40E permit.

Common materials: Rocks, gemstones and mineral specimens; gold is handled as prospecting rather than statutory fossicking

Licence / permitA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Protected landReserved/protected land can be unavailable or require additional authority; a Miner’s Right does not override reserve purpose or other legislation.

MethodsStatutory fossicking is hand-tool hobby/specimen collecting and excludes gold/diamonds; gold detecting is prospecting.

Official rules Official map / areas Licence / permit

Western Australia field map

Fossicking Map Explorer

Filter by state, material, precision, access status and trip radius. Each place includes a decision-ready field profile, evidence links and navigation only where the destination is defensible.

10 map records 1 jurisdiction 3 collecting candidates 0 navigable

Map ≠ collecting permission. Verified means current evidence supports the modeled activity; Conditional means resolve a stated condition first; Research is context only; Closed/prohibited means do not collect. Navigation never overrides tenure, claims, ownership, closures, permits or posted rules.

Showing the full reviewed dataset.

Western AustraliaPins, clusters and state groups are clickable · drag, zoom or change map layers

10 resultsDistance filter inactive

Cue district prospecting & fossicking — tenure-check planning marker

Cue / Murchison · WA

Research onlyMixedResearch only

GoldMineral specimens

The Shire of Cue actively supports prospecting/fossicking but warns that old workings do not prove access. Visitors must hold the appropriate Miner’s Right and check TENGRAPH/tenure and permissions for the exact ground. This regional marker is therefore non-navigable.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateRegional/reference marker — check official sourceManagerVaries — Crown land, pastoral leases and mining tenements occurEvidenceHigh · Government / council

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessResearch only

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right required; current occupier/tenement consent or other authorisation may also be required

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryRegional/reference marker — check official source

Land / tenureVaries — Crown land, pastoral leases and mining tenements occur

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsGold, Mineral specimens

MethodsStatutory WA fossicking uses hand tools only for hobby/specimen collection; metal detectors and machinery are not fossicking methods. Up to 20 kg of samples/specimens may be taken at one time. Gold and diamonds are treated as prospecting, not statutory fossicking.

Season / conditionsRemote-area trip planning required; cooler months are generally safer

HazardsRemote travel, old shafts/workings, heat and changing tenure.

EvidenceShire of Cue prospecting guidance

Primary source

Dalgaranga State Geoheritage Reserve

Murchison · WA

Closed / prohibitedMineral specimensDo not collect

Impact brecciaMeteorite-crater geology

WA Government classifies this as a State Geoheritage Reserve. Prospecting and fossicking are banned in all WA State Geoheritage Reserves; entry also requires prior approval.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateProtected geoheritage-site reference — NO FOSSICKINGManagerGeological Survey of Western Australia / WA GovernmentEvidenceHigh · Government / local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessClosed / prohibited

Licence / permitFossicking/prospecting prohibited; reserve entry requires approval

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryProtected geoheritage-site reference — NO FOSSICKING

Land / tenureGeological Survey of Western Australia / WA Government

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsImpact breccia, Meteorite-crater geology

MethodsViewing/research only under any required approval; no recreational prospecting or fossicking.

Season / conditionsCheck heat, bushfire, road and remote-travel conditions before visiting.

HazardsRemote travel, extreme heat, mine workings, rough roads and land-tenure changes can apply.

EvidenceGeological Survey of Western Australia — Geotourism and geoheritage

Primary source

Marillana Station crazy-lace agate — research marker

Pilbara / Marillana Station · WA

Research onlyOther gemstonesResearch only

AgateCrazy-lace agate

The Geological Survey of Western Australia gemstone guide documents crazy-lace vein agate from the Archer mine on Marillana Station. The source establishes geology, not public collecting rights; access must not be assumed on the pastoral/mining ground.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinatePastoral-station regional marker — not a collecting destinationManagerPastoral occupier / current mining-tenure holders as applicableEvidenceHigh geology / no public-access evidence · Government geological publication

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessResearch only

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right required; current occupier/tenement consent or other authorisation may also be required

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryPastoral-station regional marker — not a collecting destination

Land / tenurePastoral occupier / current mining-tenure holders as applicable

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsAgate, Crazy-lace agate

Season / conditionsRemote Pilbara conditions; cooler months are generally more practical.

HazardsExtreme heat, remote travel, pastoral operations and active/current mining ground.

EvidenceGeological Survey of Western Australia — Gemstones of Western Australia

Primary source

Noreena Downs agate & carnelian country — research marker

East Pilbara / Balfour Downs region · WA

Research onlyOther gemstonesResearch only

AgateCarnelian

The Geological Survey of Western Australia gemstone guide documents agate-carnelian occurrences on Noreena Downs Station, but this is pastoral/private-occupier ground and no public collecting permission is established by the geological source. Treat this only as a research lead.

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessResearch only

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right required; current occupier/tenement consent or other authorisation may also be required

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryPastoral-station regional marker — not a collecting destination

Land / tenurePastoral occupier / current mining-tenure holders as applicable

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsAgate, Carnelian

Season / conditionsRemote Pilbara conditions; extreme heat makes cooler-season travel more practical.

HazardsExtreme heat, remote travel, pastoral operations and active mining tenure.

EvidenceGeological Survey of Western Australia — Gemstones of Western Australia

Primary source

Norseman Gemfields

Shire of Dundas / Great Western Woodlands · WA

ConditionalOther gemstonesResolve conditions

AgateOpalite

The Shire of Dundas specifically promotes The Gemfields as a place to fossick for agate and opalite on land donated to the Shire, about 10.4 km from Norseman along Mort Harslett Drive. WA Miner’s Right and current access/tenure requirements still apply.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateGemfields site reference — check Shire road/site conditionsManagerShire of Dundas / applicable Crown-land managerEvidenceHigh · Government / local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessConditional

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right required; current occupier/tenement consent or other authorisation may also be required

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryGemfields site reference — check Shire road/site conditions

Land / tenureShire of Dundas / applicable Crown-land manager

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsAgate, Opalite

Season / conditionsCheck heat, bushfire, road and remote-travel conditions before visiting.

HazardsRemote travel, extreme heat, mine workings, rough roads and land-tenure changes can apply.

EvidenceShire of Dundas — Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail

Primary source

Poona emerald field

Murchison / Cue district · WA

Permission / managed accessOther gemstonesPermission needed

EmeraldBeryl

The Shire of Murchison identifies Poona as Western Australia’s best-known emerald field but states that it is privately leased and visitors cannot fossick on the leased area without permission from the current lease holder.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateEmerald-field reference — PRIVATE LEASE / permission requiredManagerPrivate lease / applicable tenement holderEvidenceHigh · Government / local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessPermission / managed access

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right plus current lease-holder permission

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryEmerald-field reference — PRIVATE LEASE / permission required

Land / tenurePrivate lease / applicable tenement holder

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsEmerald, Beryl

Season / conditionsCheck heat, bushfire, road and remote-travel conditions before visiting.

HazardsRemote travel, extreme heat, mine workings, rough roads and land-tenure changes can apply.

EvidenceShire of Murchison — Poona emerald field

Primary source

Veevers State Geoheritage Reserve

Gibson Desert · WA

Closed / prohibitedMineral specimensDo not collect

Impact-crater geologyMeteorite-related material

WA Government classifies this as a State Geoheritage Reserve. Prospecting and fossicking are banned in all WA State Geoheritage Reserves; entry also requires prior approval.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateProtected geoheritage-site reference — NO FOSSICKINGManagerGeological Survey of Western Australia / WA GovernmentEvidenceHigh · Government / local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessClosed / prohibited

Licence / permitFossicking/prospecting prohibited; reserve entry requires approval

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryProtected geoheritage-site reference — NO FOSSICKING

Land / tenureGeological Survey of Western Australia / WA Government

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsImpact-crater geology, Meteorite-related material

MethodsViewing/research only under any required approval; no recreational prospecting or fossicking.

Season / conditionsCheck heat, bushfire, road and remote-travel conditions before visiting.

HazardsRemote travel, extreme heat, mine workings, rough roads and land-tenure changes can apply.

EvidenceGeological Survey of Western Australia — Geotourism and geoheritage

Primary source

Yalgoo Shire public prospecting tenements (3) — managed gold crossover

Yalgoo · WA

Permission / managed accessGoldPermission needed

Gold

The Shire of Yalgoo states it has secured three mining tenements close to town for public amateur fossicking/prospecting for gold. Visitors must contact the Shire or caravan park for its Prospecting Permit/map and still satisfy current WA Miner’s Right requirements.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateYalgoo town reference only — Shire permit map identifies the actual tenementsManagerShire of Yalgoo / relevant pastoral interestsEvidenceHigh for Shire-managed access program · Local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessPermission / managed access

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right plus current Shire of Yalgoo Prospecting Permit/map and rules

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryYalgoo town reference only — Shire permit map identifies the actual tenements

Land / tenureShire of Yalgoo / relevant pastoral interests

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsGold

MethodsGold activity is prospecting under WA law rather than statutory fossicking. Use only methods allowed by the current Shire permit/map and WA law.

Season / conditionsShire recommends cooler autumn, winter and spring conditions; check roads, heat and fire conditions.

HazardsRemote travel, heat, abandoned mine shafts and changing tenure/access conditions.

EvidenceShire of Yalgoo — Gold Prospecting / Shire Prospecting Leases

Primary source

Mount Magnet district prospecting — tenure-check planning marker

Mount Magnet / Murchison · WA

Research onlyMixedResearch only

GoldMineral specimens

The Shire of Mount Magnet promotes prospecting as a visitor activity and directs visitors to current WA Miner’s Right guidance. It does not designate the whole district as public prospecting ground, so this pin is a non-navigable planning reference only; exact tenure and permissions must be resolved before field access.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateMount Magnet town/district reference — not a collecting boundaryManagerVaries — Crown land, pastoral leases, mining tenements and reserves occurEvidenceHigh for district context; no blanket collecting access asserted · Local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessResearch only

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right required; exact land/tenement access and any consent or Section 40E pathway must also be resolved

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryMount Magnet town/district reference — not a collecting boundary

Land / tenureVaries — Crown land, pastoral leases, mining tenements and reserves occur

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsGold, Mineral specimens

MethodsGold searching is prospecting under WA law. Statutory fossicking excludes gold/diamonds and is hand-tool specimen collecting; use only methods authorised for the exact land and tenure.

Season / conditionsRemote-area conditions; check heat, fire danger and road conditions immediately before travel

HazardsRemote travel, extreme heat, abandoned mine workings/shafts, fire and changing mining tenure.

EvidenceShire of Mount Magnet — Prospecting

Primary source

Meekatharra district prospecting — tenure-check planning marker

Meekatharra / Murchison · WA

Research onlyMixedResearch only

GoldMineral specimens

The Shire of Meekatharra identifies prospecting as an established visitor activity in the district but does not publish a blanket public prospecting area. This marker is therefore context only: hold the required Miner’s Right and check current WA land/mining tenure and permissions for the exact ground before entering.

Checked2026-09-09CoordinateMeekatharra town/district reference — not a collecting boundaryManagerVaries — Crown land, pastoral leases, mining tenements and reserves occurEvidenceHigh for district context; access unresolved until exact ground is checked · Local government

Field planning checklistPlanning aid — not collecting permission

AccessResearch only

Licence / permitWA Miner’s Right required; current tenure, pastoral/occupier requirements and mining-tenement permission remain controlling

State baselineA WA Miner’s Right is required for both statutory fossicking and prospecting.

Land accessA Miner’s Right is not blanket access: occupier, pastoral, reserve and mining-tenement controls may require notice, consent or another permit.

Map / boundaryMeekatharra town/district reference — not a collecting boundary

Land / tenureVaries — Crown land, pastoral leases, mining tenements and reserves occur

DirectionsSuppressed — use official map/source

MaterialsGold, Mineral specimens

MethodsGold searching is prospecting under WA law. Statutory fossicking excludes gold/diamonds and is limited to hobby/specimen collecting with hand tools.

Season / conditionsRemote-area travel; cooler months are generally more practical but current road/fire/heat conditions control

HazardsRemote travel, extreme heat, abandoned workings/shafts and rapidly changing tenure or road conditions.

EvidenceShire of Meekatharra — Visit Meekatharra

Primary source

Use the map without guessing access

Choose a candidate

Filter by material and access class. Research-only markers are leads for further checking, not recommendations to collect.

Open the boundary

Use the official map or area guide. A regional marker can sit kilometres away from a legal collecting boundary.

Check licence and tenure

State rules differ. A licence or Miner’s Right does not automatically grant access to private land, tenements, reserves or closed ground.

Check current conditions

Fire bans, forestry operations, tides, road closures, wildlife protections and park works can change whether a trip is practical.

How records are classified

Verified means a current authoritative source directly supports the location as a recreational fossicking/collecting area. Conditional means a licence, Miner’s Right, official boundary, permit or site condition must be satisfied. Permission covers managed visitor access or land/claim-holder permission. Research only marks a mineral-rich region or visitor lead that is not itself a collecting authorisation. Closed / prohibited records remain visible to prevent accidental access.

Every record includes a checked date, named source, coordinate-precision label, land manager, methods, restrictions, season/conditions, hazards and a field-planning checklist. The decision badge tells visitors whether to verify a boundary, resolve conditions, obtain permission, research further or avoid collecting. Directions are suppressed unless a record has a sufficiently defensible destination; no badge or checklist grants collecting permission.