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Author Topic: VIC - Eldorado  (Read 18958 times)

Wwoofa

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VIC - Eldorado
« on: December 13, 2015, 04:16:16 AM »
December's location is Eldorado.

You may wish to change your "Next Location of the Month" vote now that this one has been covered ... http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=5028.0

Eldorado (or El Dorado) is a small town in the north-east of Victoria near Beechworth.  Eldorado was named after the legend of El Dorado in 1840 by William Baker, the name he used for his run.  Even though the name refers to a land abounding in gold there was no gold found in Eldorado until the 1850s when it became a thriving gold rush town.  The town's population declined sharply after the area ceased to yield gold.  The remains of an old gold dredge can still be seen today.  This is a large steel dredge which was designed and built by Thompson's Engineering for the Cocks Eldorado Gold Dredging Company in 1935-36.  By the time it was decommissioned it had dredged 30 million cubic metres from the river flats of the Eldorado Plain.  It has 110 digging buckets, each of which was capable of digging and lifting 0.3 cubic metres of soil.

There's lots of good info about the area here ...
http://eldorado.org.au/

Link to the Gemstone Caravan Park (recommended) ...
http://www.eldoradogemstone.com.au/

Link to Tripadvisor ...
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Tourism-g5561626-Eldorado_Victoria-Vacations.html

Fossicking is usually done along Reedy Creek.  Access to the creek is generally available so you can start anywhere that looks interesting.  Woolshed Rd runs along the creek from Eldorado to Woolshed Falls which are very pleasant. 

Here's a link to a map of the area ...
http://eldorado.org.au/wp-content/uploads/El-Dorado-Woolshed-Valley-Map.pdf

Remember that you need a current Victorian Fossicking Licence.  You can purchase it online (at the link below) or from some locations in Eldorado (eg. Gemstone Caravan Park).

http://www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/recreational-prospecting-and-fossicking

In the creek you will be generally looking for tumbled Quartz (clear, smoky & citrine) for faceting or as a specimen.  There are other gems such as Beryl, Sapphire, Zircon, Diamonds etc reported but they are quite scarce.  Fine gold can also be found by panning.

Here's a link to an interesting article with some pics ...
http://www.weekendnotes.com/gemstone-fossicking-beechworth/

Very nice pieces of Amethyst crystal including sceptures have been found although they are very scarce and the exact location is generally a well kept secret  8)

Here's a Youtube video from "Aussie Crystal Hunters" ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbj6Wi6UNJg

Links to previous ALF topics ...

http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=3710.0
http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=2762.0

Links to previous ALF pics ...

Amethyst Crystals ...



Fossicking in Reedy Creek ...



Smoky Crystals ...



« Last Edit: December 13, 2015, 04:24:56 AM by Wwoofa »

Speckee

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2015, 11:59:43 AM »
My Uncle has been going to Eldorado/ Rutherglen for 40 years now. His favourite part of the sate.

Jamo

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2015, 03:38:14 PM »
Eldorado is a great spot for both camping & fossicking. You can either 'free camp' along the river or stay at the local caravan park. The river has lot's of nice spots although you may have to travel a few kms to get a bit of firewood. Alternatively the caravan park has a fantastic BBQ area and fire pit with plenty of wood when we were there.


It is a bit difficult to get good mobile reception, although if you ask the locals they can point you to a certain spot on the edge of town.


The old dredge is worth a look. It is a behemoth of a piece of equipment that certainly moved some dirt in its day.
Baaa humbug, not enough fossicking time!

Jamo

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2015, 03:40:42 PM »
BTW, great info below. Thanks Wwoofa. This could be another spot worth an ALF fossicking adventure! Although Snowman would not be allowed to come with his 'mankini'!
Baaa humbug, not enough fossicking time!

snowman3195

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2015, 04:14:05 PM »
BTW, great info below. Thanks Wwoofa. This could be another spot worth an ALF fossicking adventure! Although Snowman would not be allowed to come with his 'mankini'!

OK.  Jamo, you asked for it and here it is.  Enjoy it.   ;)



Sharon (1971Sharyn) and I on her property near Mount Tamborine back on 13th August 2013. Marg took the photo. Sharon hasn't been on this forum for over a year. I think that she is still in shock.  ;D ;D
Wayne and Marg
www.frostysaussieadventures.com
Former Members of Mordialloc Lapidary club.

Jamo

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2015, 04:25:20 PM »
OH NO! Not again! Don't you realise once seen you cannot 'unsee' this image.  :o :o :o :o :o  Burnt from my retinas indelibly on my mind .... aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgh. Oh the pain!
Baaa humbug, not enough fossicking time!

snowman3195

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2015, 05:36:52 PM »
OH NO! Not again! Don't you realise once seen you cannot 'unsee' this image.  :o :o :o :o :o  Burnt from my retinas indelibly on my mind .... aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrgh. Oh the pain!
Jamo,
Sweet dreams tonight.   :)
Wayne and Marg
www.frostysaussieadventures.com
Former Members of Mordialloc Lapidary club.

Lapis Lupinus

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2015, 10:46:35 PM »
I guess you still have that outfit Snowman? At least you'd be easy to find in the bush if you got lost.

Gemster

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2015, 11:13:10 PM »
 ....Or Hung Up... ;D ;D  Ouch ::)


    Gemster....... beers
I swing a 12-pound hammer,smash gibbers by the ton
I used to think it convict work,but now i think it's FUN

snowman3195

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2015, 08:22:57 AM »
I guess you still have that outfit Snowman? At least you'd be easy to find in the bush if you got lost.
The mankini and wetsuit are kept in my fossicking clothes bag. You never know when you may need to wear the mankini.
 I would like to thank 1971sharyn for giving me the mankini.   ;D
Sorry for hijacking this thread.
Wayne and Marg
www.frostysaussieadventures.com
Former Members of Mordialloc Lapidary club.

Jimnyjerry

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2015, 08:47:47 PM »
It is a bit difficult to get good mobile reception, although if you ask the locals they can point you to a certain spot on the edge of town.
I know the spot it is across the road to the shop.
Easily identified by the Telstra sign on the person sized box.  ;D ;) ;D
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.

Jamo

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #11 on: December 18, 2015, 07:57:47 PM »

The mankini and wetsuit are kept in my fossicking clothes bag. You never know when you may need to wear the mankini.
 I would like to thank 1971sharyn for giving me the mankini.   ;D
Sorry for hijacking this thread.



Yes, I am sorry you hijacked the thread too!  :o


Now here's to get back on track. A pic of the Eldorado dredge


Baaa humbug, not enough fossicking time!

snowman3195

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #12 on: December 18, 2015, 08:06:59 PM »
Jamo,

Good to see that we are back on topic.

I will see your photo of the dredge and raise you 6 photos.
http://www.frostysaussieadventures.com/Trip2012/12-Easter.htm#day2


Wayne.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2017, 06:22:44 PM by snowman3195 »
Wayne and Marg
www.frostysaussieadventures.com
Former Members of Mordialloc Lapidary club.

Jamo

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #13 on: December 18, 2015, 09:58:48 PM »
Jamo,

Good to see that we are back on topic.

I will see your photo of the dredge and raise you 6 photos.
http://www.frostysaussieadventures.com/trip2012/12-Easter.htm#day2


Wayne.
only 3 photos count ... but great photos. Will miss you at Powelly. Cheers
Baaa humbug, not enough fossicking time!

The Rock Hunter

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Re: VIC - Eldorado
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2015, 03:51:22 PM »
love that place haven't been back there in a while keen to go back soon :)
hunting rocks

 

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