PALMER RIVER
The Palmer was the scene of Australia's wildest gold rush. A place of immense riches, "Cannibal" folklore, and rugged tropical wilderness. The gold is still there, but getting to it is the challenge.
Crocodiles & Isolation
The Palmer River is inhabited by **Saltwater Crocodiles**. They are apex predators and inhabit freshwater far inland. Stay away from deep water edges.
Access Warning: The road to Maytown is 4WD only and often impassable in the wet season. This is remote country.
Maytown
The capital of the Palmer field. Now just stone kerbing and ruins in the bush. Camping is permitted at designated areas (check QPWS bookings).
River Bars
The river is wide and rocky. High-grade gold is found in the slate crevices. Because of the crocs, stick to the high dry bars or shallow riffles where you have visibility.
Chinese History
Thousands of Chinese miners worked this field. You will find Chinese coins and artifacts. Leave them in place—they are protected heritage.
Tactical Intel: Slate Crevicing
The bedrock here is often vertical **slate**. The gold gets trapped deep in the "book leaves" of the slate. Use large screwdrivers and pry bars to open up the slate layers in the dry river bed. The gold is chunky and high purity.
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The Digger's Code
- Backfill all holes before you leave.
- Pack out all your trash.
- Respect fence lines and gates.
Legal Disclaimer
Land access rights, safety conditions, and public fossicking zones change. You are solely responsible for verifying regulations with local authorities (DOC/Council/BLM) and assessing river safety before visiting. Paystreak.io accepts no liability for injury, fines, or trespassing. Never dig on private land without explicit permission.
✓ Information last verified: January 2026