KALGOORLIE GOLD
This is it. The big show. Kalgoorlie-Boulder is the most famous gold mining city in Australia. The "Super Pit" is visible from space, but the surrounding scrub is where the nuggets hide.
Miner's Right Required
In WA, you MUST have a **Miner's Right** (approx $25 AUD lifetime) to prospect. Kalgoorlie is surrounded by active leases.
Section 40E Permits: Much of the groind is pegged. You can apply for a "Section 40E" permit to detect on active exploration tenements for short periods. Do not just wander onto a lease.
The Super Pit
You can't dig in it, but you must see it. It produces 800,000 ounces a year. Tour the rim to understand the scale of the mineralization (it's everywhere).
Kanowna
To the north lies the ghost town of Kanowna. Famous for deep leads and nuggets. Good pending ground for those willing to research available blocks.
Salt Lakes
The gold often sits on the clay layer under the salt lakes. Detect the fringes of Lake Lefroy (beware of bogging your vehicle).
Field Tips: Trash is Cash
Kalgoorlie has been mined for 130 years. The ground is littered with iron rubbish (nails, wire, cans). **Use a Small Coil.** A 6" or 10" elliptical mono coil on a GPX 5000 or 6000 allows you to weave between the trash signals to find the masked nuggets.
What 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