Fossicking in the Northern Territory

Water

Carry at minimum 5 litres per person per day, more if you are digging or the temperature is above 35 degrees C. Most fossicking areas have no potable water, and creek beds may be dry for months at a time. Dehydration in the outback can become life-threatening within hours. Bring more water than you think you need, and keep a reserve in your vehicle that you do not touch unless it is an emergency.

Fuel

Fill up at every opportunity. Distances between fuel stops can exceed 200 km, and some fossicking areas add 50 to 100 km of unsealed road on top of that. Carry at least 20 litres of spare fuel in approved containers. Fuel availability at remote roadhouses can be unreliable, so do not assume a servo marked on the map will be open or stocked when you arrive.

Vehicle

A 4WD with good ground clearance is recommended for most areas and essential for Arltunga, Harts Range, and Newry. Check road conditions with the NT Government before travelling, especially during the wet season (November to April) when many roads are closed entirely. Carry a basic recovery kit including a tyre repair kit, tow strap, and shovel. Let your tyres down on sandy tracks and re-inflate before returning to bitumen.

Communication

Mobile reception is non-existent at most NT fossicking areas. Carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB). A PLB can be hired from outdoor retailers if you do not own one. Download offline maps before you leave, as GPS navigation without mobile data can send you down closed or non-existent tracks. UHF radio (channel 40) is useful for communicating with other travellers on single-lane roads.

First Aid

Carry a well-stocked first aid kit including compression bandages for snake bite, antiseptic, and blister treatment. The nearest hospital can be many hours away from most NT fossicking areas. Know basic first aid before heading out, and carry any personal medications you may need for the full duration of your trip plus extra. Consider completing a remote first aid course if you plan to fossick in the Territory regularly.

Tell Someone

Leave your travel plans with a responsible person, including expected return dates, the specific fossicking areas you plan to visit, and your planned route. If you change your plans, update them. Many NT fossicking areas see no other visitors for days or weeks at a time, so if something goes wrong, nobody may notice your absence. Register your trip with the local police station, particularly for Arltunga, Harts Range, and Wave Hill.

Crocodiles

Saltwater crocodiles inhabit rivers, creeks, and waterholes across the Top End, including areas around the Newry fossicking area near Katherine. Never swim in, wade through, or camp beside waterways unless you are certain they are croc-free. Assume every body of water in the tropical NT contains crocodiles. Do not clean fish or discard food scraps near the water. Be aware that crocs can be found well inland and in surprisingly small bodies of water.

Mine Shafts

Several fossicking areas contain abandoned mine workings, open shafts, and unstable ground, particularly at Arltunga and Warrego. Stay well clear of fenced-off areas and never enter abandoned mine tunnels or shafts. Ground around old workings can be undercut and collapse without warning. Keep children and pets away from all mine openings. If you see an unfenced shaft, report it to the NT Government.