Golden Triangle Boom: The New Era of Prospecting in Victoria
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In Victoria's golden triangle, a new gold rush is transforming bush blocks into highly sought-after properties. As gold prices have surged over the past decade, the area's former goldfields, especially around Bendigo, Ballarat, and Wedderburn, have attracted aspiring prospectors looking for affordable land to hunt for gold.
With increasing interest from retirees and families seeking a change of pace or a chance to strike gold, the demand for these bush blocks is rising. This surge in interest comes amid concerns that the state government might reclassify Crown land, where prospecting is currently allowed, as National Parks where it isn't.
Despite recent assurances from the government that state forests will remain open for public use, the prospecting community continues to grow. The number of Victorians holding miner's rights has nearly doubled in the past five years, from 40,000 to 78,000.
Jason Cornish, President of the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria, noted that the combination of a booming gold market and favourable weather conditions—such as a stormy spring—has led to fresh discoveries. These conditions have washed away topsoil and exposed nuggets previously hidden in plant roots.
Local real estate agents report that properties in these gold-rich areas are selling quickly, with high demand from retirees and hobby prospectors. For instance, in Wedderburn, properties are being sold faster than ever, and prices have doubled over the past five years.
Many buyers are drawn to the area's gold prospecting potential. For example, some recent sales include properties with old miner's huts that have already yielded new finds. Despite the allure of prospecting, many see it as a rewarding hobby rather than a path to wealth. As Brett Frazzani, a new buyer in the area, puts it, the real value lies in the excitement and memories of the hunt.
Prospecting in Victoria requires a miner's right, which costs $27.80 and allows for non-mechanical prospecting on public land or any prospecting on private land with permission. Notably, Victoria's golden triangle is famous for producing some of the world's largest gold nuggets, including the Welcome Stranger and the Hand of Faith.
With increasing interest from retirees and families seeking a change of pace or a chance to strike gold, the demand for these bush blocks is rising. This surge in interest comes amid concerns that the state government might reclassify Crown land, where prospecting is currently allowed, as National Parks where it isn't.
Despite recent assurances from the government that state forests will remain open for public use, the prospecting community continues to grow. The number of Victorians holding miner's rights has nearly doubled in the past five years, from 40,000 to 78,000.
Jason Cornish, President of the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria, noted that the combination of a booming gold market and favourable weather conditions—such as a stormy spring—has led to fresh discoveries. These conditions have washed away topsoil and exposed nuggets previously hidden in plant roots.
Local real estate agents report that properties in these gold-rich areas are selling quickly, with high demand from retirees and hobby prospectors. For instance, in Wedderburn, properties are being sold faster than ever, and prices have doubled over the past five years.
Many buyers are drawn to the area's gold prospecting potential. For example, some recent sales include properties with old miner's huts that have already yielded new finds. Despite the allure of prospecting, many see it as a rewarding hobby rather than a path to wealth. As Brett Frazzani, a new buyer in the area, puts it, the real value lies in the excitement and memories of the hunt.
Prospecting in Victoria requires a miner's right, which costs $27.80 and allows for non-mechanical prospecting on public land or any prospecting on private land with permission. Notably, Victoria's golden triangle is famous for producing some of the world's largest gold nuggets, including the Welcome Stranger and the Hand of Faith.
