Agate Creek

[Gemhunter]

Going to Agate Creek for a pick over the weekend, anyone recommend any digging spots...

[Jimnyjerry]

This early in the season any of the known locations are good .
You can dig at the Potato Patch at the foot of Bald hill or at the back of Flanagan's.
Or speck at the Big Bend, nearly 2km passed the Black Soil turn off, you park on the left side of the road just before you cross Agate creek.  Or speck and dig in the area between Vievers flat and the fridge.

All directions taken as if you are driving into Agate Ck

[toppster]

It will be very dry so dont bother at flannagans the green clay will be like concrete id go to bald hills or dig the creek banks at black soil creek

[Jimnyjerry]

Mate of mine used to dig into walls of that clay on the Saddle every second day.  The clay dried between digs then and was easy to work with a pick. Wet it was hard and sticky.

BTW make sure you leave a bucket in the hole if you plan to dig for more than one day otherwise you may find someone else in it.  Good for 48 hours.

Never leave a pick or shovel as sadly they have been know to walk away on their own.

[snowman3195]

Marg and I are currently staying at the Croydon Caravan Park and who arrived this afternoon for an overnighter on his way to Agate Creek.

Yep, our favourite stalker...  Billy the Gemhunter.

We may see Billy on Sunday at Agate Creek when Marg and I do a day trip to Agate Creek, but the odds aren't with us. It is a large area.

Wayne.

[Jimnyjerry]

There is only one main track in and out (unless you want to go the scenic route) so you got a good chance of spotting them and even more so if you have an idea which location they plan to fossick.

Darn really am missing Agate Ck usually up there from early May. Cannot go again till 2015.  Now experiencing the weather I heard about when I rang home once a week - cold and wet.

[pegatha]

  brrrThe colder it gets here the more I wish I was on my way to Agate Creek and Mt Surprise. There is this little creek bed there that is loaded with thunder eggs.    Plus I want to see the other side of crystal hill. Next year

[toppster]

Jerry I know what your saying but the clay at flannangans is not like that i dug there last year when it was dry then the year before when wet the wet is heavier but much easyier to dig. I did a good job of blunting my pick there in the dry.

[Jimnyjerry]

Good point toppster    Baked hard does not sound good. Yes it was dry last year in May and start of June. 

The guys I know that used to dig around the back of the hill on the right had to sharpen there picks a lot. But then that was in 2011.  I did not go up there last year to check it out.

Better to go to the potato patch and bald hill.

[snowman3195]

Well, as we drove past Crystal Hil, there was a Triton parked on the summit, so we did a U Turn and drove upto the summit (NOT much room there) and guess who was there?  Yep, Billy the Gemhunter looking for crystals. We parked beside him and chatted then Billy headed off southward and  we had lunch and then headed homeward.

We only specced at various locations. The locations are not marked well.

Today, Marg and I will sort through our haul from yesterday and will post photos later.

Check out our website for my report.
http://www.frostysaussieadventures.com/Trip2013/13dd05.htm#day33

Wayne.

[Jimnyjerry]

Used to be more signposts but they burnt down.

Have to use local knowledge  and the available maps.

Most names are just triggers for memory like the fridge door which was replaced up black soil after someone souvenired the original.

Spots include Black Soil, Viever's Flat, The Fridge Door, The Knoll, Lost Bag Flat, Hap's Hollow, Bald Hill, Potato Patch, Crystal Hill, Scalded Flat, Pony Pocket, Water Trough, Bird Bath, The Saddle, Simpson's Gully, Big Simpsons, Little Simpsons, Blue Hill, Flanagans, The Gorge, Spring Ck, The Pinnacle and various Pink Patches (know of 4). Other spots have no names. 

[ObsidianMan]

Hi I was there last week and had a blast. Didn't do any digging as i was fairly new to the area and mainly just wanted to get more familiar with the place, i just followed the fossicking  area map and specked the ground and creek beds as i went. Found various size nodules from a pea size to a golf ball size. Have cut a few and found all different colors and patterns. I must say a big thanks to the regulars who were there that advised on some good locations i learnt a lot this trip and already scoping the calender for the next trip. Hopefully next trip it won't rain

[JudyC]

Where do you camp there? I believe the safari park is not open and I haven't heard back from the other campsite. Do you know if you can take dogs?

[Jimnyjerry]

Where do you camp there? I believe the safari park is not open and I haven't heard back from the other campsite. Do you know if you can take dogs?

  JudyC you just rock up to the first camp.  Get your info and camping form from the box inside the gate. Fill it in and pop it and the money for the stay in an envelope and push it thru the slot in the notice board. The camp area is self catering.

$5 per day per person or $30 per person per week.
Children free.

Bring your own wood each day for the donkey and your own fire and community fire.  Clean up the toilets or showers after you use them. If the dongas are open then go in if the doors are shut then they are in use.
Toilet paper, mops brooms etc are in the donga as well as a book exchange.   

Some people bring dogs but have them under control.
Dingos do go thru the campsite at times and would take a dog if they found it.

Would not take a dog into the fossicking reserve because of cattle, wild pigs and dingo baits.

You can find a really friendly and helpful group of people there. 

[Gemhunter]

I was there two weeks ago and the Safari Camp was closed according to the lady at the Georgetown Info Centre. There is plenty of room at the camping area on your right as you come into the fossicking area. There are plenty of helpful people who stay there and will give you plenty of advice on where to dig and what to look for....