Mt Strzelecki on Flinders Island

[Firsttimer]

Hi all!

Just wondering if anyone has tried fossicking anywhere around Mt Strzelecki on Flinders Island?  A lot of the known areas like Djamond Gulley and the tin mine have been pretty thoroughly worked.  Had anyone tried near Mt Strzelecki?  I've heard that topaz has been found there in a lovely shade of blue, but curious if anyone had a spot they'd be interested in sharing.

I've been looking at google maps and was thinking of trying Fotheringate creek as a possible site.

Cheers!

[MakkyBrown]

Welcome Firsttimer,
I think most if not all of it is in a National Park and there are always eyes on you when on Flinders. There are blues in Tanners Cr, probably worth focusing your efforts there not at Strzelecki. You will probably find more as well.
MB

[Firsttimer]

Thank you!  I was unaware you couldn't fossik in a national park, so that is very helpful

[MakkyBrown]

They are quite strict as well. I once got permission to fossick at Adamsfeild, which is not a National Park, might be World Heritage. That was a process and needed ministerial approval. I think there are probably some people sniping gold in National Parks and I would doubt they have managed to get permission. If you decided to climb Strzelecki you'll be too buggered to do any sieving that day, was A LOT steeper than I was expecting. I think there was a car parked at Fotheringate Creek when I was over there, I didn't go looking further.

MB

[Ghost]

Climbed Strzelecki in 1963 when I was working at the Post Office in Whitemark.
Wonderful view.
Cheers,
Ghost

[RoughCreations]

Climbed Strzelecki in 1963 when I was working at the Post Office in Whitemark.
Wonderful view.
Cheers,
Ghost

That's a blast from the past - I bet there were some good Killiecrankie Diamonds about back then.

[Ghost]

Was into cabbing in those days, but I did collect a few diamonds.
Didn't try the beaches at Kiliecrankie, but did walk the tin mine.
Flinders Island did not have good timber resources so the tin miners cut their sluice into the bed rock with occasional wide spots to slow the flow and drop whatever was being carried along.
Picked up a quite a few clears and a couple of nice blues.
Cheers,
Ghost

[Bucket]

Our club has just returned from Flinders Island. While over there we visited both Margaret Wheatley at Killiecrankie and Sandro Donati in Whitemark. Anyone going to the island, I would highly recommend a visit with the Wheatley's, they are both a wealth of information and have some spectacular stones on display. Sandro also had a selection of very nice blue but smallish stones apparently collected from the Strzelecki area along with some nice jewellery. I did purchase one of the blues, only 4cts but big enough for a nice cut stone. Overall, I would highly recommend a trip there, locals were very friendly, the pub has great meals and the place is spectacular, and yes, all of our group brought home self found pieces of various sizes, the groups best and biggest I would estimate will run around 50 cts clear. My best will be around 8-10 cts, again clear.

[Jimnyjerry]

Sounds like you had a great trip Bucket. 

[Bucket]

We did Jimnyjerry, the large stone found actually ran to 63 carats, mine was 14, so very good.  While it's a bit expensive to get to, it was a great few days and all our finds were made on the last day we were there!