The Tamworth region has a rich gold mining history, stretching back to the 1850’s when thousands of people came to the Peel Valley Diggings, which incorporated Nundle, to claim their riches. Many Chinese also fled to the area in search of gold, but also to set up stores and gardens, creating an affluent Chinese heritage within the area.

The key fossicking sites in the Tamworth region that allow public access are still found in the Nundle area, along the Peel River and at Hanging Rock. From Nundle keen fossickers can head north to Manilla and Barraba following the Manilla River to seek further precious stones.

Throughout the area you can go fossicking for sapphires, zircon, jasper, prase, rhodonite, crystal and gold. Take a trip back in time, by visiting the Mount Misery Underground Goldmine and Gold Museum to see what the gold rush era was really like.

For those wishing to hire or buy fossicking equipment contact the Nundle Visitors Information Centre or Barraba Information Centre where you can receive an up to date listing of the local suppliers.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has guidelines for fossicking in State Forests and it is recommended that they be followed in fossicking tourist areas to ensure the surrounding environment is protected.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Tamworth region, in addition to fossicking and gold panning, has a fascinating geological history with the city of Tamworth centred on a major crustal fault referred to as the Peel Fault Line. The Peel Fault line splits folded, ancient marine sedimentary and volcanic rocks (from the west) from ancient, very deep water, marine sedimentary and volcanic rocks (to the east).