Detailed regional maps can be found in
our book, Gold for the Taking, and many essential details about
where to go, including the following Public Fossicking Areas.
NORTH
ISLAND
Coromandel
Although there are no designated Public Fossicking Areas on the
Coromandel Peninsula, panning can be done there. Today
the Kauaeranga River inland from Thames is the ‘most panned’ area.
SOUTH
ISLAND
Nelson-Marlborough
:
AorereRiver, Baton River near Motueka, the
Wangapeka
and Rolling Rivers, the Rainy River, Owen River, Sherry River, and
Tadmor.
Most of these rivers have Public Fossicking Areas.
Aorere River Golden Bay, North-west Nelson
|
Two areas of the
Aorere River are available for fossicking. One near the
confluence of 15 Mile Creek and the other near Walsh Creek.
Whakamarina
River
There are no Public Fossicking Areas on this river, however, the
Pinedale Motor Camp, a few kilometres from the Canvastown turnoff, has
a licence for recreational fossicking with a gold pan ($3 to hire) and
sluice box ($10).
Glenhope
Scenic Reserve (the Howard Goldfields)
There are two Public Fossicking Areas in the Louis and New
Creeks of the Howard Valley, and New Creek.
West
Coast Fossicking Areas
Lyell Creek,
Stony
and Britannia Streams,
Slab Hut Creek, Moonlight
Creek,
Nelson Creek, Jones Creek, Waimea Creek, Shamrock Creek, Waiho
River
.
Shantytown,
at
Rutherglen near Greymouth, is an historic gold town. It offers gold
panning for a fee, with gold to take away.
Southland
No Public
Fossicking Areas in Southland
Otago:
Queenstown
Four
new, Public Fossicking Areas have been designated by Crown Minerals in
Queenstown: Twelve
Mile Creek,
Five
Mile Creek,
Arrow River, Shotover River-Queenstown Lakes District
In
the pipeline:
As
at April, 2001 four more possible Public Fossicking Areas are in the early
stages of application in the South Eastern parts of Otago. The
following creeks are under negotiation between the local Iwi, the
Crown and the Department of Conservation. Gabriel’s Gully, Post
Office Creek, Shepherd Stream, Pioneer Stream, and the Waipori River. Check
this site for developments.
