Explore Great Western Woodlands
Less explored region with excellent potential for new discoveries. Focus on granite outcrops and greenstone contacts.
About Great Western Woodlands
The Great Western Woodlands is WA's last frontier for gold prospecting. This vast wilderness — the largest remaining temperate woodland on Earth — covers an area larger than Tasmania and remains largely unexplored for gold. The geological indicators are promising: greenstone belts, granite-greenstone contacts, and the same rock types that host gold deposits further north. For the adventurous prospector seeking genuine virgin ground and potential new discoveries, this is the place.
Best Prospecting Areas
The top locations to find gold in the Great Western Woodlands region.
Hyden
Famous for Wave Rock but surrounding areas have untested gold potential in greenstone units.
Lake King
Remote area with scattered historical workings and unexplored greenstone contacts.
Ravensthorpe
Known for nickel and copper but gold occurrences in surrounding greenstone belts.
Key Facts
- Largest remaining temperate woodland on Earth
- Largely unexplored for gold — genuine discovery potential
- Same rock types as major goldfields further north
- Area larger than Tasmania
- Conservation values — practice strict Leave No Trace
Practical Information
What to know before heading to Great Western Woodlands.
Terrain
Dense eucalyptus woodland, the largest temperate woodland on Earth. Sandy soils with granite outcrops.
Best Season
April to October
Water Availability
Very limited. Carry all water.
Phone Signal
Very limited to none
Nearest Town
Hyden, Lake King, or Ravensthorpe
Detector Recommendation
Minelab GPX 6000 or Equinox 900. Focus on exposed bedrock and granite contacts.
Gold Types Found Here
Historical Notes
"The Great Western Woodlands remain one of WA's least explored regions for gold. Small-scale prospecting has found gold, but systematic exploration has been minimal."
Recommended Equipment for Great Western Woodlands
Minelab GPX 6000 or Equinox 900. Focus on exposed bedrock and granite contacts.
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