northern NSW best time of year

[JohnA]

Hi from a total Newbie. I am thinking of planning an initial fossicking trip, probably around the Inverell area. I live overseas and will probably be limited to a December/January timeframe. I should have about 4 to 6 weeks to spend pretty much fulltime although I may take the odd day to go fishing.
My question is, what are the plusses and minuses of making my first trip at this time of year. I am thinking hot weather, rainfall(?), school holidays and any other factors you might like to mention.
So, grateful for any comment and observations you might care to give. Thanks

[Jimnyjerry]

Welcome to ALF, 

Temperatures up around 41 degrees Celcius, chance of bush fires, school holidays, snakes, spiders.
Only try that time of year if you like all the above.

Plenty of info on locations on this forum. 

A few paid digs. Will need to check if they are open.
Also areas to look up around Torrington.

State forests in NSW require a fossicking permit you can get online.
Will leave it to others to add more details.

 
Jerry

[Aussie Sapphire]

Maybe a bit pessimistic on the temperature but certainly uncomfortably hot for fossicking in January.


Mean maximum temperature in January and December for Inverell is around 30°C - it did get up to 41° this year during the heatwave where everywhere was hot but that is unusual.  Temps of mid 30's would be considered hot for that area.  Take a few degrees off that for Glen Innes.


Still too hot for fossicking though.


cheers
Leah

[The Grey Ghost]

Ill be heading to Inverell mid April.

[JohnA]

Thanks, Leah and Jerry,
Doesn't look very promising from what you say. However, due to my time constraints. I might just have to grin and bear it and give it a try anyway. I AM keen to see what it is like.
Cheers,

John

[MrSydney]

OMG you are all so soft!

Being in the mountains it is rarely that hot (41c) and night cool down a fair bit so very comfortable.  Often a morning trip, lunch time break, and another crack in the afternoon is a good plan!

As Jimnjerry said Torrington is a bit different.  It is very dry and rocky so does get quite hot, it is easy to get lost if you stray too far, and there is generally no water around - so just go in with your eyes open.  But there are plenty of nice day trips out of Inverell and Glen Innes for a range of things.  Torrington can be very hard unless you can get someone to take you out and show you around a bit.

Like fossicking anywhere in this country dress appropriately for snakes etc, good sunscreen, lots of water (just grab a bulk pack from Woollies).

it is a great place to visit as there is a good range of countryside to experience across those locations too!

Have fun! 

[JohnA]

Thanks a million, Mr. Sydney, that is a lot more encouraging.
The more I research and think about it, the more excited I am about giving fossicking a good solid try at the end of the year. Seems a long way away but I can't do it any sooner.

Cheers and thanks to all. Any further input would be greatly appreciated.

John

[Lord_Thunda]

Hi John, 


The weather this year was unusually hot with a few days 40+ as others have said. It is usually mid to low 30's with nights dropping down to mid to low 20's.
If you need some local info on places to fossick give me a yell as I live in Emmaville 40 kms north of Glen Innes.


Cheers,
Bob 

[JohnA]

Thanks very much, Bob,
I'd love to take you up on your offer if you are around in mid-December? I'll try to contact you again around that time.

Cheers,

John