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✅ Legal FossickingNelson Camping December to February (track can be muddy in winter)
Aorere River (Area B)
30km southwest of Collingwood. More remote than Area A, but often less crowded and with pristine bush surroundings.
Hand Tools Only
No Permit Required
Public Access
History
This upper section of the Aorere was worked by hardier miners willing to push further into the bush. The gold here tends to be coarser than downstream — closer to the original source.
Best Spots to Try
- 1Bedrock exposures
- 2Behind large boulders
Local Tips
Bring everything you need — no facilities. The remoteness means less pressure on the ground. Focus on bedrock pockets and crevices. A metal detector can be productive here.