The premise remains the same: It is illegal for anyone to embark on a metal detecting search, whether on private or public land, without the permission of the landowner. Many detectorists will seek permission from the landowner – often a farmer – so there are a number of things for members to bear in mind.

Similarly, Are metal detectors legal in Australia?

Yes, in most states in Australia you will need a Fossicking License or Miner’s Right to go Metal Detecting or fossicking. hey are usually cheap, allowing the family to get into this hobby cheaply. There are also some restrictions on where you can and cannot detect. Each state has their own licensing requirements.

Additionally, Do you need insurance for metal detecting? Most responsible metal detectorists have public liability insurance, this covers you in the eventuality of accidental damage whilst digging, perhaps to a power cable or gas line, and other things that may go wrong such as accidentally letting livestock escape from a field.

How do you research land for metal detecting?


Well, get ready as I offer my top 9 recommendations to conduct research and to help you find the best places to go metal detecting!

  1. Online. …
  2. Drones. …
  3. Library. …
  4. Plat Maps. …
  5. Visiting The Local Historical Society. …
  6. Talking To Neighbors. …
  7. Taking A Walk. …
  8. Talking To Local Metal Detecting Club Members.

Where can I metal detect gold in Australia?


The Best Places to Hunt for Gold in Australia

  • Golden Triangle in Victoria.
  • The goldfields of Western Australia.
  • Fields in New South Wales.
  • Fields in Queensland.
  • Fields in Northern Territory.

Where are you not allowed to metal detect?

Metal detectors are banned in all US federal and national parks. Additionally, no monuments or historical sites allow you to use a metal detector on their grounds.

Do I need permission to metal detect on a beach?

The beach can be a great place to carry out your hobby of metal detecting. … Anyone wishing to carry out metal detecting on the beach often referred to as the Crown Estate foreshore (defined as the land between mean high water and mean low water) may do so without a formal consent from The Crown Estate.

Can I metal detect in Woods UK?

You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land. Under UK law there is no such thing as “finders keepers”.

Do I need a permit to metal detect on UK beaches?

You don’t need a license to use a metal detector in the UK, but there are laws about their use. People using a metal detector on private land without permission is illegal without first gaining approval from the owner.

Is metal detecting classed as a sport?

The National Council for Metal Detecting has a written constitution which is available to all members. It is a member of the Sport + Recreation Alliance (formerly the Central Council for Physical Recreation).

Can you find gold anywhere in Australia?

About 60% of Australia’s gold resources occur in Western Australia, with the remainder in all other States and the Northern Territory. Virtually all resources occur in primary deposits, many of which have undergone some degree of weathering.

Can anyone prospect for gold in Australia?

Gold prospecting and fossicking opportunities in Australia’s Golden Outback draw people from far and wide. To prospect in Western Australia, you require a Miner’s Right for each person in your party. This gives you authorisation to prospect on: Unoccupied crown land that is not covered by a granted mining tenement.

Where can you find gold in Australia?


10 places in Australia to strike gold

  • Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. …
  • Golden Triangle, Victoria. …
  • Gympie, Queensland. …
  • Echunga, South Australia. …
  • Bathurst, NSW. …
  • Clermont, Queensland. …
  • Corinna, Tasmania. …
  • Tennant Creek, Northern Territory.

What are the rules of metal detecting?

Metal detecting is something that anyone is lawfully entitled to do. However, you cannot trespass to do it. If land is tenanted, both the tenant’s and, in most circumstances, the landlord’s consent must be obtained and vice versa if it is the land owner wanting to grant someone permission to metal detect.

Can you metal detect on national forest land?

1 It is Forest Service policy that the recreational use of metal detectors and the collection of rocks and mineral samples are allowed on the National Forests. … Metal detecting for treasure trove or lost items such as coins and jewelry is managed as a non minerals- related recreation activity.

Are metal detectors legal in Canada?

People need permission for detecting on private property and detecting within 500 meters of a historical site within a Provincial Park is illegal. There are few laws on where people aren’t allowed to detect. The issues arise when people start trying to dig. Again, digging in designated historical areas is illegal.

Where can I metal detect on the beach?

Although people frequent rocky beaches, they don’t typically hang out there and play around in the sand and surf. So, stick to sand – the more popular place the better. Start by searching around the more populated places on the beach such as under cabanas, high traffic areas, and the waters edge.

Can you use a metal detector on a beach UK?

You must obtain permission from the landowner before using a metal detector. This includes land to which the public have rights of access such as beaches, footpaths, or council-owned land. Under UK law there is no such thing as “finders keepers”.

Where can I metal detect legally UK?


Here are the five best places to go metal detecting if you want to hunt like a pro.

  • Your own garden. If you have a garden, start by hunting there. …
  • Beaches. Despite being thoroughly detected previously, beaches are still always a really good location to go hunting. …
  • Parks and local fields. …
  • Woodlands. …
  • Hiking trails.

Where can I metal detect without permission in UK?

You don’t need a licence to use a metal detector in the UK, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on: private land, without permission from the owner. a Scheduled Monument.

Can you metal detect on common land in the UK?

UK DETECTOR NET – Where CAN I use my detector? Where can I Use a Detector? If you wish to metal-detect on land which is not your own, you must get permission from the landowner before you do so. If you metal-detect on land without consent, you may be charged with a criminal offence and you could be sued for damages.

Can I metal detect on UK beaches?

Anybody wishing to carry out metal detecting on Crown Estate foreshore (defined as the land between mean high water and mean low water) may do so without a formal consent from The Crown Estate, however this is strictly subject to the Terms and Conditions and any third party right(s) as indicated under section 2 of the …

Do I need a Licence to metal detect UK?

You don’t need a licence to use a metal detector in the UK, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on: private land, without permission from the owner.

What do you call a person who uses a metal detector?

I also learned from Western & Eastern Treasures that people who metal detect are called “metal detectorists.” It was gratifying we had our own “ist” like numismatists, philatelists, or contortionists. The modern history of metal detecting is ignominious.

Is it legal to use a metal detector in the UK?

By the way, in the UK don’t need a licence to use a metal detector, but there are laws about their use. Using a metal detector is illegal on private land without permission from the owner. It is also illegal on a scheduled ancient monument or in an area of archaeological importance.