Minerama

[Wwoofa]

Mar 9 - 11

Info here .... http://www.minerama.com.au/

[dom105]

Hi Paul
Any thoughts or information on which trips ALF'ers may be going on? ie if we all book the same trips we can go fossick as a group.
As you know, myself and Lesley have been to Swamp Oak, Happy Valley and Yarrow Ck so we dont really care where we go, it's more a social thing for us.
Claude

[Wwoofa]

Hi Claude,
Good idea ... we should try to organise something a few weeks before.  I think the list of field trips might change.  We can also organise some other days either side of Minerama .... eg. Scrubby Gully or some other Torrington sites?
Regards, Paul

[dom105]

Mate now you're talking. By the what was that talk of being able to book the trips before hand on the net?
If that happens we may not be able to get all our lot into the group as it may fill up.
Claude

[Jimnyjerry]

from sneeking a look at the info sheets on the trips there is only a limit set for 2 trips

Pretty Valley - 35

Swamp Oaks-  25

[Wwoofa]

Hi,
I reckon it's about time to start doing some planning for Minerama.
I'm planning to head up on Thursday 8th Mar and stay for at least a week.  I'll be going on a couple of organised field trips, spend a couple of days around Torrington & hopefully out with John on Wednesday.
Regards, Paul

[fossickeract]

 Oops Woofa,
       Muddy and I arrive GI on Tue 6th till Sun 11th so we only overlap on the field trip days, might have to get a mudmap for Torrington topaz unless Jerry is around? Herding cats indeed.                      Ted

[Wwoofa]

Yep the cats were never going to be easy .... I can provide a good map for Scrubby Gully & a couple of other spots if you need them.  If MG is coming then I suspect he might head to Scrubby sometime?
I've booked the Pretty Valley & Lonewood trips.

[fossickeract]

 Yeah booked on same two trips, so we can both sit back and supervise Muddy . Would appreciate the maps, email perhaps when yu get time.
                                                        Ted

[dom105]

Did you book through the net Paul?
I dont suppose it tells you how many places are available.
Clauide

[Wwoofa]

Yep I did book the trips thru the net .... not sure how that's going to turn out on the day cos I don't know if anyone's counting??  Last year the trips were very much overbooked.

[innav]

Hi Everybody,
I am very new to fossicking. I am going to Minerama.
What would be the best trip to book for a beginner (I am going with my 7 yo daughter) where there is a better chance of finding variety of stones?
I heard that Torrington State Conservation area is very good . Is that correct?
Am I able to rent fossicking equipment there?
Thank you.

Inna

[Wwoofa]

Hi Inna,
On Friday you could pick from Trip A or B .... Trip A is probably the most suitable ... if it's booked out then go for Trip B.
Trip A Pretty Valley - Bladey Grass Creek
Trip B Yarrow Creek

On Saturday go for Trip G ...
Trip G Boolabinda Homestead
Family Fun Fossicking
Reddestone Creek

If you have a spare day then pay a visit to Swamp Oak ... they have a fossicking area especially suitable for beginners and they show you what to look for and you will certainly find something to take home.  If you could do that before Minerama that that would help you because you'll know what to do   If you can't then that's alright ... there's always someone on the field trips willing to show you.

Torrington is great place to fossick but you'll need a guide the first time you go out there.  A few of us are planning trips so keep on eye on the forum and maybe you can tag along on one of the trips?

You won't need much equipment ... just a few seives & a shovel.  At Swamp Oak and possibly Trip G the equipment is supplied?  Not sure where you can hire equipment in GI .... maybe others know?  You could ring the GI tourist Info Centre and ask them ... they should know.
Regards, Paul

[Capt. Mendoza]

I think Stocks camping and fishing store on Bourke St rent out stuff, if they don't, they certainly sell equipment... Then again I think our gracious hosts here sell sieves cheaper!
Last time I bought a set of sieves they cost me $45 , that was years ago. Dread to know what they cost now adays. But they are definitely worth buying, and they do pay for themselves over time...

[Jimnyjerry]

Cats are all herded now.

Paul I am surprised you could prebook Pretty Valley as it is one of the limited number trips.

Still thinking about Minerama.