Palmer River.

Diginit said:

Cheers Simmo,

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Diginit said:

Noting several comments made, several factors some need to consider? Firstly with large areas in the southern states becoming less and less available, one hopes they do get support for making the area available to the public. Also they cannot control the climate, grass one season then perhaps barren as in non the next ? Plus no grass no feed for stock, no stock = no cattle station to detect on.

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grumpybum said:

Just spoke to a mate of mine who went to the palmer stn reckons its a con paid for two weeks left after one nothing they said was right no tours no choppr flights and this is on their website no gold not anywhere close to where they camped,and as someone else has posted you would want to be a mountain goat as well

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This is not country for flatlanders. You need some experience with tropical bush land and its inconveniences. Ticks and snakes. Also coverup totally. That means it is very easy to get sunstroke/heatstroke even in winter. Recognise the early symptoms and go back to camp early. Never go out alone as the steep rocky slopes and inability to see where you are stepping makes for easy falls. Track your way as the many hills and valleys all look similar. Very easy to get lost in the huge area available and you won’t see other people about. This is serious and dangerous detecting. Don’t take it lightly. We came in from the North the first year it opened and camped in bush. Could have brought a small van in and stayed that side. But will depend on previous wet season. Needed 4 days just to get our heads around the area. Bit overwhelming and I come from this area. Hard to determine best areas as you can’t see the old dry blowings like other places.
But we enjoyed the opportunity to drive around the station, visit the historical area and swinging for gold where we could. Only found a few small bits but could only stay a week. Would go again now there is a campsite. A full season would be very hard. Take a good first aid kit. Enjoy the challenge.

Good comments. I agree it needs time to scope out the area.
If you want to pay $3000 for a season pass and leave after 2 days, my advice would be take your money to Angus & Coote. Guaranteed to get easy gold there for that money.
Mate the reason you can't see dry blowing heaps in the Palmer region... is because there aren't any? (to my knowledge).
However old timers workings are everywhere and a good indication, but not finite of where the Gold is!
Gold is where you find it!

Have to agree re time wise, I spent 4 hours the other day just getting into a spot, 30 minutes on the money stick and a giant monitor / Goanna decided he wanted my patch. Biggest bugger I've ever seen in FNQ. Anyways back on topic, haul for the day was horse shoe x 3, a fencing spike that had no right to be where i was and the usual 20 boot tacks. Oh and brown snake x 1 which could have been what Gary the Goanna was after? A few roos racing the quad and a couple of eagles getting upset and dancing about when they considered i was getting to close to their lunch and that was a day gone. But the scenery combined with the wild life? What a gold day it was. Probably digress a little but some need to learn, there is a hell of a lot more gold to be had out there than just what lies in the ground. Truly hope you do find it ?

Simmo said:

Good comments. I agree it needs time to scope out the area.
If you want to pay $3000 for a season pass and leave after 2 days, my advice would be take your money to Angus & Coote. Guaranteed to get easy gold there for that money.
Mate the reason you can't see dry blowing heaps in the Palmer region... is because there aren't any? (to my knowledge).
However old timers workings are everywhere and a good indication, but not finite of where the Gold is!
Gold is where you find it!

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Yep, couldn't agree more. Spending more money will only guarantee gold if you are spending it at the mint or jeweller etc.

Diginit said:

Have to agree re time wise, I spent 4 hours the other day just getting into a spot, 30 minutes on the money stick and a giant monitor / Goanna decided he wanted my patch. Biggest bugger I've ever seen in FNQ. Anyways back on topic, haul for the day was horse shoe x 3, a fencing spike that had no right to be where i was and the usual 20 boot tacks. Oh and brown snake x 1 which could have been what Gary the Goanna was after? A few roos racing the quad and a couple of eagles getting upset and dancing about when they considered i was getting to close to their lunch and that was a day gone. But the scenery combined with the wild life? What a gold day it was. Probably digress a little but some need to learn, there is a hell of a lot more gold to be had out there than just what lies in the ground. Truly hope you do find it ?

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Absolutely. If you appreciate and are enjoying the landscape you are far more likely to be in tune with your surroundings and greatly enhance your chances of finding something. The "feel" is very important. IMO

i am very new to this capper, is palmer a no go for a freshman?

lynton said:

i am very new to this capper, is palmer a no go for a freshman?

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Welcome Lynton.
Mate I think any prospecting for any metal or mineral means that you are away from the main population?
Therefore, some bush survival skills, 4wd skills etc are most definately needed.
As this thread is talking about the Palmer, or Cannibal creek in particular, yeah, I believe research and an ability to 'read the ground' is required.
That being said, I found everyone up there very friendly and I am sure someone would take you under their wing?
The folks that run it will tell you where gold has been found, but of course that is no guarantee!

Good luck mate -I have a feeling you'll do well.

lynton said:

i am very new to this capper, is palmer a no go for a freshman?

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As long as you and vehicle are correctly prepared, take common sense with you, a gps unit and map (with good knowledge how to use and read), a means of communication and always most importantly water. Stay safe and enjoy Remembering also that these items must be carried on you as they will do you no good left in your vehicle.

So.....the distances from the campsite are great? Or is it the terrain that’s the issue. How many kms are we talking about, how much fuel is required to bring in. We are looking at coming in with a caravan. I really don’t want to be having to spend hours from camp getting to a spot.

Jenpart said:

So.....the distances from the campsite are great? Or is it the terrain that’s the issue. How many kms are we talking about, how much fuel is required to bring in. We are looking at coming in with a caravan. I really don’t want to be having to spend hours from camp getting to a spot.

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Caravans can get to the camp with care.
The fossicking area in general starts about 10-15 minutes drive, to how far you want to go!
The spot we picked took about half an hour to get to.
You will need a fairly high clearance vehicle.

Jenpart said:

So.....the distances from the campsite are great? Or is it the terrain that’s the issue. How many kms are we talking about, how much fuel is required to bring in. We are looking at coming in with a caravan. I really don’t want to be having to spend hours from camp getting to a spot.

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I towed my gator in with d max. Had to drop tyres to 28 psi and be in high 4. Theres some steep climbs on the road in.

We towed our fully loaded 19ft van in with the Ford Ranger no problem. Some hills are pretty steep, so 4WD all the way and hill decent used when going downhill. The trek out to the fossicking area is about 7km to where the good stuff starts, but this will probably take you about 40min if you take it steady. We used to head out a little further, so we got up earlier and get to our little spot just after sunrise (Warms up considerably by 11am). There are places closer, but I would count on a nice drive through the bush of at least 30 min.
We took an extra 2 Jerry cans of fuel and headed out to Palmer River Roadhouse after about 9 days to refuel.

Simmo said:

First off.. this is me trying to keep the drone close to me and the car whilst we take yo from the camp site to the start of the Fossicking area.
(This clip is key pointed by me, I'll post the full 360' version soon!)

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Amazing footage Simmo, I really enjoyed the country and seeing the roads etc. Definitely a place I am going to. Looking thru the comments to this point I was expecting a much harsher driving landscape. Cheers for the share,

Mr Tee

Hi All, interesting reading here.... well I coming over from NZ to drive up Cape York for a couple of weeks. I then have 4 precious days to look for gold. I have booked at Palmerville 19th to 23rd July. Anyone keen to come along as would much prefer two people. I have a 4wd ute and am leaving from Cairns so all good on that front.
Otherwise any pointers on where to go? Is there a better place to head to than palmerville?

Welcome mate, give Simmo on here a Conversation as he knows this place like the back of his hand. Mackka

Mackka said:

Welcome mate, give Simmo on here a Conversation as he knows this place like the back of his hand. Mackka

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Thanks Mackka, will do.

I saw your message this morning NZgh but was quite busy so thought I would reply after work.
Check your conversations mate!

Simmo said:

I saw your message this morning NZgh but was quite busy so thought I would reply after work.
Check your conversations mate!

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Appreciate the effort you and other take Simmo to provide "inside first hand" info on areas. makes the whole gig a lot easier when one knows the scenario before hand

NZ gold hunter said:

Hi All, interesting reading here.... well I coming over from NZ to drive up Cape York for a couple of weeks. I then have 4 precious days to look for gold. I have booked at Palmerville 19th to 23rd July. Anyone keen to come along as would much prefer two people. I have a 4wd ute and am leaving from Cairns so all good on that front.
Otherwise any pointers on where to go? Is there a better place to head to than palmerville?

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Hi NZ gold hunter,​

I'm on the Gold Coast, roughly 22 - 24 hours drive to Cairns, (apparently that's a straight non stop drive). I'd love to join you ...... however - my daughter leaves for NZ on the 13th, (her big OE and first trip out of Aus,) and my missus has an operation on the 15th July. She requires looking after for 24 hours after the operation. If all goes well I could leave on the 16th, tho I seriously doubt I'll be up in Cairns on the 17th in any kind of condition to be going anywhere.......... well anywhere without matchsticks propping my eyelids and brain up.
So at this point I'm putting my hand up hoping my missus's operation is cancelled yet again, my daughters flight is cancelled for a week................ nah, that's too selfish!
I just hope I can make it to Cairns on the 17th somehow and meet you there. It's my dream trip.
I'll let you know as soon as I know exactly what's happening down here.

Cheers Dude,

Mr Tee