New fossicking area opens to locals and tourists at Mount Morgan in regional Queensland

A new 288 hectare gold fossicking area has been established at Mount Morgan in central Queensland offering an exciting tourism drawcard for the region.

Championed by Rockhampton Regional Council and Advance Rockhampton, the area opens to intrepid fossickers on 22nd April ahead of the ANZAC Day long weekend and will provide a new and exciting tourism drawcard for the Central Queensland area.

The recreational fossicking area has opened after the Queensland Government consented to a General Permission Area (GPA) on State land surrounding Mount Morgan No 7 Dam.

QLD Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last noted "Mount Morgan was founded as a gold mining town and was known as one of the richest mines in the world.

"This fossicking area will welcome families and adventurers to dig in to Mount Morgan's history in a hands-on and interactive way.

"I applaud the Rockhampton Regional Council and Advance Rockhampton for championing this exciting project for their community."

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said the new fossicking area was a fantastic outcome for Mount Morgan and the broader region and shared "through the establishment of this General Permission Area, we will see big, new tourism and visitation opportunities.

"We know there's a real market out there for recreational fossicking so this will help us attract new visitors to town and boost tourism across the entire region.

"We'll also continue to work with local stakeholders and the community to deliver our Advancing Mount Morgan strategy and ensure that we are putting Mount Morgan's best foot forward."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
All fossickers require a fossickers licence in Queensland, more information can be found online.
Special conditions for fossicking in this area can be found here. 
More information on the fossicking area and Mount Morgan can be found here. 

Images. Credit: Rockhampton Regional Council