Veteran prospector Chris MacGregor had one thought when he heard about a nearly kilogram-sized gold nugget found near a historical West Australian gold mine town recently — “you lucky people.” The 895-gram nugget, discovered by prospectors near Sandstone, 513 kilometers north of Kalgoorlie, is valued at approximately $165,000.
“I’m sure they put in the hours, which is what it’s all about, and good luck to them,” Mr. MacGregor said. The Perth resident is among many visitors capitalizing on a booming prospecting season in the region.
The Allure of Goldfields
Amalgamated Prospectors and Leaseholders Association of WA president James Allison remarked that the discovery of the large nugget demonstrates “the big gold” is “still out there.” According to Mr. Allison, even small finds can yield significant returns. “With the technology now, there’s a lot of people going over old ground and still finding gold — that’s why all the caravan parks … they’re all full,” he noted.
“If you find an ounce of gold – that’s about the size of a 10-cent piece – that’s worth $5,000.”
Gold was first discovered in the region by prospectors Arthur Bayley and William Ford in 1892. Australia’s Golden Outback chief executive Marcus Falconer emphasized that finds like the Sandstone nugget are “important” for maintaining the mystique of the Goldfields. “People decide to – like back in the gold rush days – come to seek these things out,” he said.
Economic Impact and Tourism
City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor Glenn Wilson highlighted that current record high gold prices have certainly excited people. “There’s gold fever getting around at the moment,” he said. “It’s great to see that people are making the most of what is a very buoyant gold price.”
Prospectors have been flocking to the region for 130 years, but Cr Wilson noted that gold tourism remains a largely untapped market. “Prospectors might spend … up to three or four months out on the land looking for that elusive nugget,” he said. “I think there’s a massive opportunity … to harness and to further understand what that prospecting community does deliver.”
Guided Tours and Growing Demand
Greg and Liz Watson own a company that operates guided prospecting camps about 60 kilometers north of Leonora. Ms. Watson described the demand for their tours as insatiable this season. “We’ve had to expand the amount of people we have on the tours,” she said. “This year I’m turning away six to 10 people a day, at least.”
“Anyone coming into it needs to really have a serious look at it. You need to have full insurance, you need to be accredited in some way.”
Despite the obvious demand, the Watsons explained that running a gold tourism business involves more than just teaching people how to find gold. “They have to be cut out for it, because you’re dealing with so many people,” Mr. Watson said.
A Unique Experience
Vicky Smith, who went on her first tour with the Watsons in 2023, said she enjoyed the isolation and open landscape more than the idea of finding gold. When the Watsons needed an assistant, she traded her child protection job for a six-month stint in the red dirt. “It’s lovely to be out here,” she said. “This is just a completely different world.”
Chris MacGregor, who has been prospecting for over 40 years, shared that finding gold is only part of the joy of prospecting. Despite not yet hitting the jackpot, he continues to enjoy the experience. “Don’t do it for the gold — come for everything else that’s out there,” Mr. MacGregor advised. “If you get some gold, it’s a bonus.”
Safety Concerns in the Outback
James Allison stressed that safety should be the number one priority for tourists hoping to strike it lucky. “We’ve seen many, many cases over the years of prospectors getting lost and perishing, and they’re found within 50 meters of their vehicle,” he cautioned.
Last year, the bodies of a father and son were found after they went missing while prospecting in the Murchison region.
The body of Vietnam veteran William Wadsworth was also found last year, months after he went missing while prospecting near Norseman. Mr. Allison emphasized the importance of water, food, shelter, and a personal locator beacon for prospectors, who should also inform others of their plans. “It doesn’t matter if you’re overprepared,” he said.
As the allure of the Goldfields continues to draw prospectors from near and far, the balance between adventure and safety remains a critical consideration for those venturing into the heart of Australia’s gold country.
