Journey of Gold-The NZ Trail
Does New Zealand have a golden rainbow?
There is still Gold in our rivers.
Well they do say there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.Come to NZ and instead of looking for that pot start panning.
I have a trace of that fever yes gold fever.I often think about packing the tent and heading into the wilds of New Zealand to seek my fortune.As we sit in rush hour every morning to earn a buck or two we overlook the fact the many of our creeks and rivers in this country could harbour a fortune waiting to be found.However you would be totally misguided if you thought you could quit your job and head out there to make a killing.Sadly looking for gold is like looking for a needle in a haystack, although some may make it look easy you would probably starve to death or freeze trying to find enough of it..
How ever some of us are dreamers and what is wrong with a week or two camping on a stream bank during the summer months with the hub cap off your car panning for gold.
Each to their own. Best to check first in case a permit is need though I guess.
In Arrowtown South Island one of the tourist attractions is panning for gold.
Our tourists are loving it.They stay in Arrowtown,,South Island of New Zealand and Pan for gold.Ha some of them even find a small fortune.Now that 's a Holiday.If you are coming to NZ you don,t want to miss out you better put Arrowtown on your list as one place to visit.The scenery in this part of the country is amazing.Arrowtown itself is a major attraction a quaint little village from a lost error and not far from Queenstown another major Tourist destination..Panning for gold is an extra bonus.I wish you luck should you give it a go and I hope you find the big one.
Note winter can strike hard in New Zealand you may find it more fun to ski our beautiful snow covered mountains. than to play in the icy waters of the Arrow river.Nov through to March would be the better months for panning I would suggest.
Now lets take a look at some of New Zealands history with gold.
In 1852 a man by the name of Charles Ring discovered gold at Coromandel(North Island NZ)
Not long after this Gabriel Read discovers gold in Otago (South Island)resulting in a gold rush.
Then in 1862 more was found in Marlborough.Now this all resulted in bringing many settlers into these areas as the eager flocked to find their fortunes.
When gold was discovered in the Arrow River. Macetown was built.(visit the ghost town 15km by 4WD from arrowtown)Although when the rush was over this became a ghost town. You can still Hike and Picnic there and you can still see remnants of the gold days.
Books of Interest Gold NZ
The river sits quietly waiting to release it's treasure.
Lessons -you need these first.
I will be taking special note of this myself.It will increase your chance of success if you know what you are doing.
First lets start with equipment.Earlier I mentioned the Hub cap well that is only if you find yourself standing by a river with nothing to do and no other equipment.You do not need a great deal of expensive items to pan for gold.In fact 3 things would be all you need ,
A good pan, waterproof boots and leggings(if you wish to stay dry in the colder months), an ideal spot.(do your homework to increase chance of a find,)Ask the locals.
TRAINING VIDEOS-Click the link in the next sentence.
I have found a great site that is ready to give you lessons.Click here for video instruction.
Red marks areas to try panning.
Where To Pan For Glold
To be honest you just don't see too many people panning for gold. But there are places where you can. For many you may need a permit.
I shall put this link in which shows you some public mats and places that you can pan for gold and you can find out if a permit is needed.
What ever you decide to do while camping and holidaying in New Zealand keep it clean
Good Luck and enjoy.
Enjoy More Of My New Zealand Photos
You may like to visit to check out All Thingz Kiwi NZ for more on New Zealand and view amazing scenic photos of NZ..
