New Zealand Gold Fossicking Forums

Hi all,

we are heading up to the Murchison, Nelson areas for about 1.5 weeks.

With the recent flooding activity in Nelson area, is it feasable to deduce that with these floods comes increased chances for colour?

As with the recent post by me about the Arrowtown and Queenstown area for fossicking, is anyone willing to join in a fossicking trip into the areas arround Nelson/Murchison/Greymouth or upper West coast areas?

I know there are many public areas in these areas and would really like to know peoples thoughts about the area, the rivers/creeks and anyother relevant conversations.

Thanks
Nuggethead

Went up the Wangapeka for a look today.
Apart from a few bullets and lead shot found with the detector there wasn't a lot to be had. Quite busy with tourists though.

double post

However its now persisting down and the rivers are at 5 times normal flow so there should be some movement!

Best of luck and let us know how you get on!

Hi Nugget - I haven't personally tried my luck that way but grew up in Nelson and know the area pretty well. I used to know a couple of people that had claims on the Wakamarina goldfield and have always wanted to give it a go up there. I could be wrong but I understand that the campground up there at Canvastown has a claim for a stretch of the river and allows guests that are staying with them to prospect.

Like you, when I saw how much rain had fell up there I wondered if it might bring some gold down and cursed my bad fortune at being at the wrong end of the island!

Here is an article about people looking for gold in Canvastown after a much smaller flood last year

http://www.stuff.co.nz/m...stowns-second-gold-rush

If you do head up the Wakamarina way, watch out for the ghosts of the old miners.... In 1866 the Burgess Gang murdered five people on the Maungatapu track. Happy hunting!

I've been up here in Motueka since the 27th and just managed to get up the Aorere River for a peak yesterday. Cant comment on how high it is compared to normal as ive never been there before. We ran five buckets down the sluice and got a couple wee flakes. Had to leave as the mrs forgot bug spray and got eaten alive. Once i saw colour I couldnt care less how much I got bitten lol.
I had trouble finding the public areas so just went to a wee waterfall junction type thing.
I will defineately be going back a few times in the next two weeks and maybe a naughty look around elsewhere if it feels innocent enough.
Gimme a shout if you want to join forces/share bug spray :)

hi nugget head
if you are in reefton try the road up big river go towards greymouth out of reefton about 1km turn left keep going up there to the top of the hill the road splits thake the 4wd road to big river
when you come to the first foward try in there
if you have a crevice sucker there are creaks in the ford itself i have always got gold in there
about 1 to 2 km down stram the creek goes into a gorge this is very good for crevicing
hope this helps