BEACONSFIELD The Reef
Beaconsfield was the site of the Tasmania Gold Mine—the richest reef mine in the state's history. The discovery of the "Tasmania Reef" in 1877 transformed the region into a global mining powerhouse.
The Reef
The Tasmania Reef averaged nearly 1 ounce per ton over its entire life.
Mine Depth
The historic workings reached depths of over 1000 meters into the earth.
Modern Detecting
Focus on the surface expressions of the reef system away from the main townsite.
Field Tips
Quartz Shed Areas
Look for quartz shed on the hillsides surrounding the main Cabbage Tree Hill area. Gold in Beaconsfield is almost strictly host-bound to quartz. If the quartz is "vuggy" or stained with iron oxides, it's a prime target for high-frequency detection.
Supply River Placers
The Supply River and its tributaries drainage the Beaconsfield hills. Small-scale alluvial deposits exist in the gravel bars. Focus on the downstream side of natural bedrock obstructions where fine gold can settle during floods.
Prospecting Licence
A **Prospecting Licence** is required to search for gold in Tasmania. It allows for the use of hand tools and metal detectors on most Crown Land and designated Fossicking Areas. Panning is limited—always check the Mineral Resources Tasmaniaguidelines for the current season.
Get TAS Licence OnlineWhat Your Gold Is Worth
Rough spot-price estimate of your find. Real payout depends on purity, weight, and who you sell to — but this gives you a ballpark before you head home.
This is a rough calculator — purity, refinery fees, and market spread all affect what you actually get. Check current spot prices before selling.
Gold Knowledge Resources
Optional gold-culture references for readers curious about bars, coins, purity and storage language after prospecting. These are third-party resources, not financial advice.
BullionVault
Third-party resource for learning how vaulted physical gold services describe storage, fees and custody.
BullionStar
Useful for comparing bars, coins, premiums and purity language after learning field testing basics.
APMEX
Browse mainstream bullion product formats and premiums as gold-culture background, not prospecting advice.
JM Bullion
Reference catalogue for seeing common retail names, weights and purity markings used on coins and bars.
The Digger's Code
- Backfill all holes before you leave.
- Pack out all your trash.
- Respect fence lines and gates.
Legal Disclaimer
Land access rights, safety conditions, and public fossicking zones change. You are solely responsible for verifying regulations with local authorities (DOC/Council/BLM) and assessing river safety before visiting. Paystreak.io accepts no liability for injury, fines, or trespassing. Never dig on private land without explicit permission.
✓ Information last verified: January 2026
Wilderness Panner Pack
The best gold pans for the heavy minerals found in Tasmania's west coast rivers.