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Gold Fossicking (recreational gold panning)
Before people go gold mining or panning, they usually need a mining permit from New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, Ministry of Economic Development.
However, to make gold panning a more accessible experience, sixteen areas have been set aside in the South Island where anyone can freely enjoy recreational gold mining without the need for a mining permit. These areas are called gold fossicking areas and have been designated under the Crown Minerals Act 1991. Fossicking generally means searching for and collecting materials from the surface of the land, or by digging by hand.
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All the areas are suitable for gold panning and sluice boxing, and mining is restricted to hand-held non-motorised methods only. Some of the areas are equipped with picnic, barbecue and camping facilities and have good public access.
The areas are in the Nelson-Marlborough, West Coast and Central Otago regions and are all located in historic gold mining areas. Alluvial gold is present within all the gold fossicking areas, although the concentrations are often low. A number of the areas have been mined or prospected in the past but the gold has nearly been exhausted or does not justify commercial mining.
Nelson-Marlborough and the West Coast
There are twelve designated areas in the Nelson-Marlborough and the West Coast regions. There are administered by the Department of Conservation, from whom more information can be obtained.
Gold fossicking area | Location | Size (ha) | Facilities | Link to PDF map | ||||
Aorere River A | 15 km southwest of Collingwood | 9.0 | Picnic, swimming | |||||
Aorere River B | 30 km southwest of Collingwood | 41.5 | Picnic, swimming | |||||
Lyell Creek | 35 km west of Murchison | 2.2 | Picnic, camping | |||||
New Creek | 5 km northwest of Rotoroa | 9.9 | ||||||
Louis Creek | 4 km west of Howard | 4.95 | Interpretation panel | |||||
Moonlight Creek | 27 km north-northeast of Greymouth | 14.0 | Camping | |||||
Nelson Creek | 26 km east-northeast of Greymouth | 5.25 | Picnic, camping | |||||
| Jones Creek | 0.5 km southwest of Ross | 3.47 | Picnic, camping, walkway, visitor centre | |||||
| Waiho River | Franz Josef National Park | 17.5 | ||||||
| Shamrock Creek | 14 km northeast of Hokitika | 8.0 | Picnic, camping, shelter, fireplaces | |||||
| Slab Hutt Creek | 7 km southwest of Reefton | 3.85 | Picnic, camping, fireplaces, walking tracks | |||||
| Stony and Britannia Streams | 17 km northeast of Westport | 6.4 | Picnic, camping | |||||
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Central Otago
There are four designated areas in the Central Otago region. The Queenstown Lakes District Council administers these and has more information available.
Gold fossicking area | Location | Size (ha) | Facilities | Link to PDF map |
Twelve Mile Creek | 10 km west of Queenstown | 11.5 | Picnic, historic gold workings, camping | |
Five Mile Creek | 5 km west of Queenstown | 9.9 | Swimming, walking | |
Arrow River | Arrowtown | 10.0 |
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Lower Shotover River | 2.5 km from Frankton | 9.6 | Wildlife reserve | |
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South Otago
Gabriels Gully gold fossicking area
A portion of the creek at Gabriels Gully (see the map below) was set aside for recreational gold mining without the need for a mining permit on January 12, 2005 by the Ministry of Economic Development. The area is suitable for gold panning and sluice boxing, and mining is restricted to hand-held non-motorised methods only. Alluvial gold is present although the concentrations are low.
To view or print PDF files on this page you will require PDF viewing software: Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Further information
Location maps can also be obtained from the Department of Conservation, the relevant District Council office, and from the Ministry of Economic Development library at 33 Bowen Street, Wellington.
For further information on gold fossicking please contact New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals.
