I know a lot of younger prospectors have started out by buying a detector, heading off into the goldfields full of hope. I reckon only the greater minority would have to be considered successful with the majority failing to find the rewards they sought.
It is refreshing to hear a newbie keen to learn through panning. I think most of the older members here would have started out in that manner. The skills they learnt doing that have served them well in the search for gold through other means such as detecting, sluicing or small scale mining.
From Taylors lakes you are well situated on the route to the golden triangle. Almost all the rivers and creeks passing through that areas would contain gold.
Look for inside bends, bedrock, cracks, old deposits sitting on bedrock, generally the deepest level of any gravel deposit. etc.
A lot of the gold country in Victoria runs through rocks susceptible to break down into clays so when panning learn how to break up clays as I have found that to be one of the best traps for gold as it embeds in a clay seam as it is washed over it. Even panning off the tops of old diggers heaps can reveal gold colours that no detector can find.
So the search is just not a simple answer to the question "Where do I go", as easily available maps and the internet can guide you there. The question should be how do I get the gold once there.
Good Luck MozzinAus
I hope you find colour plus enjoy and protect the environment just like the rest of us 
