Fossicking sites near Kalgoorlie?

[Dire_Numbat]

My partner and I will be going on a road trip in May/June 2018 going from Perth to Uluru via the Great Central Road (Laverton, Warburton, etc.), then down to Coober Pedy, Adelaide, and back to Perth. On our way we are hoping to do some fossicking, especially near Kalgoorlie. I myself have never fossicked, and he has not done so in ~30 years.

What are some some good places to go within a day-trip from Kalgoorlie? We don't mind acquiring relevant permits, licenses, permissions etc. where required.

Thank you so much for any advice!

[MakkyBrown]

Must be tempting to extend your trip a bit and go to Harts Range, even just mudtank and get some zircons.

[Bucket]

Norseman has a public fossicking area for opalite which is easily accessible, just call into the tourist information centre for details.  There is also a quartz crystal area near Yellowdine, have look at this: http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=803.msg12553#msg12553
I'm sure there are others near Kalgoorlie, you might do well to call at their tourist information centre as well.

[Rusted]

I have a feeling the Norseman site has been closed down.

[moondoggie767]

try pulling into the coolgardie rock shop if you get a chance the owner also operates the coolgardie gem & minerals club and should be able to point you in the right direction 

[Bucket]

I have a feeling the Norseman site has been closed down.

Rusted, the privately owned (and better) site that you used to have to pay $5 to get a permit for is the one that has closed, not the public one on Hyden Rd, they will give you directions at the tourist information centre.

[wallie]

I visited the Norseman site on Hyden road about 6 weeks ago. It is certainly open and all information is easily accessible at the Tourist Info centre. The other site, privately owned, was closed off due to people being greedy and taking trailer loads out...a familiar theme unfortunately. The Hyden rd site is 2wd friendly and easy to find.

[Rusted]

Thanks bucket and wallie for that information.

Wallie you certainly had a great trip, your backside must have neen dragging on the ground from the weight of rocks.

[Bucket]

wallie, did you find anything on Hyden Rd? I was there around early August and found a few smallish pieces, still waiting for a nice piece of the tan or the white.

[wallie]

I got a bucketful of moss opalite i think but also a translucent green stone. I have no idea what it is. Once the backlog of things at work settle(long service leave is good but it has created a bit of extra work) I'll post a few photos of some of the finds. The opalite was mainly the whitish material with oly a little gold coloured stuff found. I went to a hole already dug and just extended it a bit.

[Tailor marc]

try pulling into the coolgardie rock shop if you get a chance the owner also operates the coolgardie gem & minerals club and should be able to point you in the right direction

yep its now closed thanks to people leaving rubbish etc