If you are going to be gold detecting in NSW you don't need a Miners Right - NSW don't have them. If you are wanting to go into NSW State Forests you will need a Fossicking Permit available here:
https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/activities/fossicking
Please read the NSW Fossicking Guidelines as plenty of areas are being permanently shutdown or fossicking activities heavily restricted due to compliance & other issues. The latest information is here:
https://www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au/rehabilitation/fossicking-nsw
As previously said the majority of NSW National Parks (including State Conservation Areas, Nature Reserves, Karst Conservation Areas etc. are off limits to detecting without a NSW NPWS permit - never heard of one being issued yet).
If your unsure of any land it should be treated as private land until you can properly establish otherwise. For Crown Land contact NSW Crown Lands to find out if prospecting/fossicking is allowed:
General enquiries
Phone: 1300 886 235 (Australia wide)
[email protected]
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/lands
With the Vanquish 540 it has no adjustable ground balance so won't be ideal in a lot of gold areas - look for creek beds, mullock heaps & mild ground areas to try. Pipeclay on mullock can be a good indicator that you're in an area worth trying.
I'd assume field mode may be best & adjusting sensitivity down to suit. Some iron bias may eliminate iron mineral signals too but may also eliminate gold signals so would need some testing out. It may also be worth trying beach mode out in noisy areas?
Not sure how sensitive the supplied 12x9 coil is but with the Equinox most people using it for gold have better success with the smaller 6" coil (unsure on Vanquish availability?).
If detecting in local parks etc. it's always a good idea to establish whether it's allowed or not - some Councils don't allow it in their parks or other areas.
Good, clean recovery is a must in parks & there are some good tips on the forum + YouTube on good technique.
