Gold Rush Fever Grows in Queensland as Prices Surge
As global gold prices soar, amateur gold fossickers in Queensland are seizing new opportunities to try their luck.
The Queensland Department of Mines has already issued 7,686 prospecting permits this financial year for designated fossicking sites.
In Clermont, Central Queensland — located about 110 kilometres northwest of Emerald — gold prospecting veteran Donnie Pascoe has been running workshops for a decade. With 12 fossicking areas in the region, he said interest is booming.
“We’re seeing lots of newcomers trying it for the first time,” Mr Pascoe said. “In our most recent session, everyone struck gold — some found up to 10 grams, worth about $1,200.”
Gold prices, currently around $5,237 per ounce, have climbed nearly 8 per cent in the past month, hitting record highs more than 20 times since US President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Mr Pascoe credits some of that to global trade tensions: “You could probably thank Trump a bit for the rising prices with all his tariffs.”
Although he retired from full-time prospecting, Mr Pascoe said the lifestyle was unpredictable: “One week you’re living large, the next you’re sleeping in your car wondering how you’ll afford fuel.”
Mount Morgan Opens Up to Public Fossicking
In Mount Morgan, about 400 kilometres southeast of Clermont, gold enthusiasts now have more reason to visit after the Queensland government approved a new public fossicking area near the town’s dam. Once a booming mining centre dating back to 1865, Mount Morgan’s mine closed in 1981.
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams welcomed the move, calling it a boost for local tourism: “It adds to the charm of the town — people can now come and experience the thrill of finding gold firsthand.”
Permits are required before fossicking and come with strict guidelines.
Local Support for the New Gold Rush
Kerrilyn Page, a business owner and Mount Morgan local, said tourists are often eager to try fossicking.
“Now we have a public area we can direct them to, in addition to two private general permission areas,” she said. “And yes, people are definitely finding gold.”
In Clermont, Frieda Berry-Porter of the Outback Prospector said the town is perfectly placed to attract a new generation of gold seekers: “We’re basically the recreational gold prospecting capital of Queensland.”
Fossicking on any land requires approval from the government and, in some cases, private landowners.
