Fossicking

The Tumbarumba region is now one of nine designated fossicking areas in NSW.

This means that fossickers are not required to obtain consent from holders of mineral exploration licences, and since the Mining Act of 1992 have not been required to hold a fossicking licence.

However, fossickers do need to obtain permission from landholders, including government departments such as Forests NSW. You can usually obtain a 12 month no fee permit from forests NSW.

For more information on fossicking in state forests call 1300 655 687. You will find that some areas such as the Flora Reserve at Paddy's River Dam are closed to fossicking. Also, fossicking is not permitted in the Kosciuszko National Park.

The Tumbarumba Visitor Information Centre often receives enquiries about the best places to go fossicking, but of course the best ones are a well kept local secret! Gold, sapphires, rubies and emeralds are to be found in the area, so would be fossickers should do a little preliminary research on the geology of the area.
What else does a fossicker need? A few basic tools, such as a couple of sieves, a gold pan, a shorthandled shovel, small containers, tweezers, a hand lens, a good map, and patience!