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Metal Detecting Laws in Queensland

By the LuckyFind team Sourced from official state and Commonwealth rules
Sources checked October 7, 2026 ~6 min read

Queensland splits the hobby in two. Hunting a beach for lost rings and coins needs no fossicking licence from the state, just a check of the council’s rules, but searching for gold with the same detector is fossicking, and that needs a fossicking licence. National parks are the hard stop: using a metal detector in a protected area is an offense, and the one exception, the chief executive’s written approval, has no category for hobbyists.

Can I detect in Queensland?

The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.

Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed

The rules, land by land

National parks & reserves

Prohibited

Metal detectors are banned in Queensland protected areas, which include national parks, conservation parks and resources reserves: using one is an offense. The regulation's only exception is the chief executive's written approval or an authority under the Nature Conservation Act, and we found no approval category for hobby detecting.

  • rare exception: written approval of the chief executive, or an authority under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2024 s 265(1)); no approval category for hobby detecting was found
  • maximum penalty 20 penalty units
  • protected areas include national parks of every class, conservation parks and resources reserves (Nature Conservation Act 1992 s 14)
  • the detector rule does not apply in special wildlife reserves or nature refuges (s 265(2))
  • fossicking is not permitted in national parks, conservation parks and wildlife reserves (state fossicking guide), and the Fossicking Act does not apply to protected areas (Fossicking Act 1994 s 9)
  • Commonwealth-managed places follow Commonwealth rules
What the rule says
“A person must not use a metal detector in a protected area unless the person uses the detector— (a) with the written approval of the chief executive; or ... (b) under an authority under the Act. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Nothing natural or cultural may be taken from a Queensland protected area. The Nature Conservation Act bars taking, keeping or interfering with a cultural or natural resource of a protected area without an authority, and cultural resources include objects of archaeological or historical significance.

  • no taking, using, keeping or interfering with a cultural or natural resource of a protected area except under a management intent, agreement, license, permit or other authority (Nature Conservation Act 1992 s 62(1))
  • cultural resources: places or objects of anthropological, archaeological, historical, scientific, spiritual or sociological significance, including under Aboriginal tradition or Ailan Kastom (dictionary)
  • maximum penalty 3,000 penalty units or 2 years' imprisonment
What the rule says
“A person, other than an authorised person, must not take, use, keep or interfere with a cultural or natural resource of a protected area, other than under—”

State forests & Crown land

Permit required

Searching for gold, gemstones or mineral specimens with a detector is fossicking, and in Queensland that needs a fossicking licence. Licensees may fossick on unoccupied state land, on designated fossicking land and fossicking areas, and on other land with the owner's written permission. State forests are open only where a fossicking area or general permission covers them.

  • fossicking licence for gemstones, ornamental stones, mineral specimens, alluvial gold and fossils other than vertebrate fossils; not meteorites (Fossicking Act 1994 ss 3, 25)
  • an electronic detector is a hand tool under the Act (s 3); no machinery
  • fossicking licence term: up to 1 year (s 19)
  • unoccupied land, such as unallocated state land: a licensee may enter and fossick without permission (s 26), unless an exclusive native title determination applies or the land is vested in another agency for a purpose (state guide)
  • occupied land other than road reserves, designated fossicking land and fossicking areas: the owner's written permission, written on or attached to the fossicking licence (s 27)
  • State forests and timber reserves: only where designated fossicking land, a fossicking area or a general permission applies (s 10)
  • no digging deeper than 2 m below the natural surface, or 0.5 m in streams; no digging on road reserves (state guide)
  • not in national parks, conservation parks or wildlife reserves
  • hunting for coins, jewelry or other lost items is not fossicking, and the state says it needs no fossicking licence
What the rule says
“A person must not fossick for fossicking materials unless the person is a licensee. Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.”

Keeping finds

Allowed

Under a fossicking licence you may keep what you collect, including alluvial gold and nuggets, for recreational, tourist or educational purposes. An occasional lucky find may be sold, but repeated sale as a business needs a mining tenure.

  • under a fossicking licence, for recreational, tourist and educational purposes
  • not meteorites or vertebrate fossils
  • occasional sale of a lucky find, or sale and trade to hobbyists, is allowed; repeated sale through shops or as a living needs tenure under the Mineral Resources Act 1989
  • royalties apply to Crown fossicking materials, but a $100,000 threshold exemption means most fossickers owe none
What the rule says
“You can collect gemstones, ornamental stones, mineral specimens, alluvial gold (including nuggets) and some fossil specimens, but not meteorites and fossils of vertebrate animals.”

Beaches

Varies by site

Hunting a Queensland beach for lost jewelry and coins needs no fossicking licence, but councils set the rules for public beaches, so check the local council first. Beaches inside national parks and other protected areas fall under the protected-area detector ban.

  • no fossicking licence needed to hunt for treasure or lost items with a metal detector (state fossicking licence page)
  • public beaches: check the local council's rules
  • beaches in national parks, conservation parks or resources reserves: the protected-area detector ban applies (Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2024 s 265)
  • searching a beach for gold or gemstones is fossicking and needs a fossicking licence
What the rule says
“You don’t need a licence to hunt for treasure or lost items using a metal detector—check with the local council for rules about accessing public beaches and other areas for this purpose.”

Council parks

Varies by site

Each Queensland council sets its own park rules. In Brisbane, for example, detecting that digs up or disturbs soil to remove targets needs the council's permission, while lifting targets from grass or soft fall without disturbing soil does not.

  • council by council; ask the local council
  • Brisbane: permission needed for metal detecting that digs up or disturbs soil to remove targets (Public Land and Council Assets Local Law 2014, park use consent)
  • Brisbane: removing targets from grass or soft fall without disturbing soil needs no consent (Use of Council Parks: Community Guideline, March 2025)
What the rule says
“Some common activities in parks that need permission include: ... metal detecting involving digging up or disturbing soil to remove targets.”

Private land

Permit required

Get the owner's permission. Fossicking on occupied land in Queensland needs the owner's written permission, written on or attached to your fossicking licence, and entering a dwelling, its yard or a business place without lawful authority is trespass.

  • fossicking on occupied land: the owner's written permission (Fossicking Act 1994 s 27(1)(a)); land under a mining claim or lease, or a mining lease application, needs the holder's or applicant's written permission (s 27(1)(b), (c))
  • exclusive possession native title land: the native title holders' written permission (s 27(1)(e))
  • trespass: no unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling, its yard, or a place used for a business purpose; up to 20 penalty units or 1 year's imprisonment (Summary Offences Act 2005 s 11)
  • Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and historic heritage laws apply on private land too
What the rule says
“A licensee must not fossick— (a) on occupied land (other than a road reserve, designated fossicking land or a fossicking area) without the owner’s written permission;”

All land: heritage law

Digging

Prohibited

On any land in Queensland, it is an offense to excavate, move or take away Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage that you know, or ought reasonably to know, is cultural heritage, unless you act under an approved cultural heritage management plan, an agreement with the Aboriginal party, or the duty of care guidelines.

  • applies on public and private land
  • exceptions include an approved cultural heritage management plan, a native title or other agreement with an Aboriginal party, compliance with the cultural heritage duty of care or its guidelines, or acting with the owner's agreement (Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 s 25(2))
  • anyone carrying out an activity must take all reasonable and practicable measures not to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage (s 23)
  • maximum penalty for an individual: 1,000 penalty units (ss 23 and 25)
  • the same rules apply to Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage (Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 s 25)
  • once a historic artifact has been reported under the Queensland Heritage Act, it must not be disturbed, exposed or moved for at least 20 business days without the chief executive's written consent (Queensland Heritage Act 1992 s 90)
What the rule says
“A person must not excavate, relocate or take away Aboriginal cultural heritage if the person knows or ought reasonably to know that it is Aboriginal cultural heritage.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Do not keep Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander objects: possessing an object you know or ought reasonably to know is cultural heritage is an offense. A historic artifact that is an important source of information about Queensland's history must be reported to the state as soon as practicable.

  • possession of Aboriginal cultural heritage objects is an offense unless an exception applies, such as an approved management plan or agreement (Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 s 26); the Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 s 26 is the same
  • historic finds: if you discover a thing you know or ought reasonably to know is an archaeological artifact that is an important source of information about Queensland's history, notify the chief executive in the approved form as soon as practicable, with where it was found and a description or photos (Queensland Heritage Act 1992 s 89)
  • after the notice, the artifact must not be disturbed, exposed or moved for at least 20 business days without written consent (s 90)
  • underwater cultural heritage artifacts: no interfering without the chief executive's written consent (s 91)
  • maximum penalty under ss 89 to 91: 1,000 penalty units
  • the Heritage Act sets a report duty for historic finds; no clause vesting ownership of historic finds in the state was found
What the rule says
“A person must not have in the person’s possession an object that is Aboriginal cultural heritage if the person knows or ought reasonably to know that the object is Aboriginal cultural heritage”

Parks Australia places

Prohibited

Metal detectors are banned in every Commonwealth reserve, including Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Booderee national parks: the regulations make it an offense even to possess one there, let alone use it.

  • Commonwealth reserves include Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Booderee, Christmas Island, Pulu Keeling and Norfolk Island national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens and the Australian Marine Parks (managed by the Director of National Parks with Parks Australia)
  • using or possessing 'a device for detecting minerals or metal' is an offense of strict liability, up to 30 penalty units (EPBC Regulations r 12.18(1)(e), (7))
  • 'fossick' is defined to include using a device or technique for detecting minerals or metal, and fossicking is banned separately (r 12.16(b))
  • exception: a detector stowed securely on a vessel passing through, anchored or moored in a marine area (r 12.18(2)(b))
  • the ban does not apply in the Jabiru township in Kakadu (r 12.07(c))
  • the Director can permit a prohibited activity in principle (r 12.06(1)(c), (2)), and a reserve's management plan can provide for one (r 12.06(1)(a)); no hobby detecting permit process was found
  • national parks run by a state or territory follow that state's or territory's own rules
What the rule says
“A person must not use or possess, in a Commonwealth reserve: ... (e) a device for detecting minerals or metal”

Digging

Prohibited

Digging is out in Commonwealth reserves: disturbing or removing sand, stone or other earth materials is an offense, and so is fossicking, which the regulations define to include digging, raking or shoveling to find minerals.

  • no introducing, disturbing or removing minerals, clay, sand, stone or other earth materials; no fossicking; up to 50 penalty units (EPBC Regulations r 12.16)
  • 'fossick' includes digging, raking or shoveling clay, sand, stone or other earth materials to find mineral materials, and using a panning dish, sieve or sluice (dictionary)
  • no excavation in a Commonwealth reserve (r 12.11, strict liability, 50 penalty units)
  • same exceptions as other Part 12 offenses: a Director's permit or the reserve's management plan (r 12.06)
What the rule says
“A person must not, in a Commonwealth reserve: (a) introduce, disturb, or remove minerals, clay, sand, stone or other earth materials; or (b) fossick.”

Keeping finds

Prohibited

Nothing of heritage value may be moved or kept in a Commonwealth reserve. Possessing or moving 'heritage', which covers objects of archaeological or historic significance, is an offense, and so is removing any object or natural feature.

  • 'heritage' includes places, features, structures and objects of aesthetic, archaeological, historic, scientific or social significance (dictionary)
  • no damaging, defacing, moving, possessing or interfering with heritage: strict liability, up to 50 penalty units (r 12.13)
  • no damaging, removing or interfering with a natural feature or an object, sign or structure (r 12.12)
  • scientific research, including archaeological research, needs authorization (r 12.10, r 12.06)
  • no source found on handing in modern lost property
What the rule says
“A person must not, in a Commonwealth reserve, damage, deface, move, possess or interfere with heritage.”

Shipwrecks & Commonwealth

Digging

Permit required

Historic shipwrecks and sunken aircraft are protected by Commonwealth law once they have been in Australian waters for 75 years. Disturbing one, or removing anything from it or from its archaeological context, needs a permit from the federal environment Minister.

  • automatically protected: remains of vessels in Australian waters for at least 75 years, every associated article, and aircraft remains and associated articles in Commonwealth waters for at least 75 years (Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 s 16(1))
  • protected whether or not anyone knows where the article is, and even after it has been removed from the water (s 16(2), (3))
  • 'Australian waters' covers the territorial sea and beyond, but not waters within the limits of a state, such as many bays, harbors and rivers, where state heritage law applies (s 11)
  • penalty: up to 5 years in prison or 300 penalty units, or both (s 30(4)); civil penalty up to 800 penalty units (s 30(6))
  • declared protected zones around some wrecks restrict listed conduct without a permit (s 29)
  • permits are granted by the Minister (s 23)
What the rule says
“Conduct has an adverse impact on protected underwater cultural heritage if the conduct: (a) directly or indirectly physically disturbs or otherwise damages the protected underwater cultural heritage; or (b) causes the removal of the protected underwater cultural heritage from waters or from its archaeological context.”

Keeping finds

Permit required

You may not keep an artifact from a protected shipwreck or sunken aircraft without a permit: having possession, custody or control of protected underwater cultural heritage is itself an offense. Finding an article of archaeological character in Australian waters must be reported within 21 days.

  • possession, custody or control without a permit: up to 5 years in prison or 300 penalty units, or both (s 31(1), (4))
  • supplying or offering to supply protected underwater cultural heritage also needs a permit (s 32)
  • found an article of underwater cultural heritage that appears to be of archaeological character in Australian waters: written notice to the Minister within 21 days, describing it and where it is (s 40)
  • protection continues after an article has been removed from the water (s 16(3))
  • permits come from the Minister (s 23); the department's own guidance page could not be read (blocked)
What the rule says
“A person contravenes this subsection if the person has possession, custody or control of protected underwater cultural heritage. ... Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has possession, custody or control in accordance with a permit granted under section 23.”

Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological and historic sites are protected, and you must fill every hole and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the land manager.

Please read: this is general information for detectorists, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by individual park, city, and agency. We cite the official sources below, but always confirm the current rule with the specific land manager before you detect — and when in doubt, ask first. Sources checked October 7, 2026; see the source notes for scope.

Metal detecting in Queensland national parks

The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2024 settles it in one line. Section 265 says “A person must not use a metal detector in a protected area” unless the person has the chief executive’s written approval or an authority under the Nature Conservation Act, with a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units. Protected areas include national parks, conservation parks and resources reserves (the detector rule does not apply in special wildlife reserves or nature refuges). That approval exists on paper, but we found no category for hobby detecting, so treat Queensland’s national parks as closed to detectors.

The finds side is just as firm. Section 62 of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 bars taking, keeping or interfering with a cultural or natural resource of a protected area without an authority, and cultural resources include objects of archaeological or historical significance. Fossicking is off the table too: the Fossicking Act does not apply to protected areas, and the state’s fossicking guide says fossicking is not permitted in national parks, conservation parks and wildlife reserves. Commonwealth-managed places follow their own Commonwealth rules.

Aboriginal and historic heritage law

Queensland’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 applies on every kind of land, public or private. Anyone carrying out an activity must take all reasonable and practicable measures not to harm Aboriginal cultural heritage, and a person “must not excavate, relocate or take away Aboriginal cultural heritage” or keep an object they know or ought reasonably to know is cultural heritage, unless an exception applies, such as an approved cultural heritage management plan or an agreement with the Aboriginal party. The maximum penalty for an individual is 1,000 penalty units. The Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Act 2003 sets the same rules for Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Historic finds have a reporting rule instead. Under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992, if you discover something you know or ought reasonably to know is an archaeological artifact that is an important source of information about Queensland’s history, you must notify the chief executive in the approved form as soon as practicable, saying where you found it and including a description or photos. Once notice is given, the artifact must not be disturbed for at least 20 business days without written consent, and underwater cultural heritage artifacts must not be interfered with at all without consent.

Gold, beaches, council parks and private land

Gold is where the paperwork starts. Under the Fossicking Act 1994, searching for or collecting gemstones, ornamental stones, mineral specimens, alluvial gold or most fossils is fossicking, an “electronic detector” counts as a hand tool, and you need a fossicking licence (valid for up to a year). Licensees may fossick on unoccupied state land, on designated fossicking land and fossicking areas, and on other land with the owner’s written permission. State forests are open only where a fossicking area or general permission covers them. The permitted activities guide caps digging at 2 meters (0.5 meters in streams) and says you may keep alluvial gold, nuggets included.

Beach hunters get a break: the state says “You don’t need a licence to hunt for treasure or lost items using a metal detector”, but it also says to check the local council’s rules for public beaches. Council parks vary. Brisbane City Council, for example, needs permission for “metal detecting involving digging up or disturbing soil to remove targets”, while lifting targets from grass or soft fall without disturbing soil needs no consent.

On private land, get the owner’s permission. Fossicking on occupied land needs the owner’s written permission on or attached to your fossicking licence, and the Summary Offences Act 2005 makes it an offense to unlawfully enter a dwelling, its yard or a business place.

Sources

Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 7, 2026):

Checked the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2024, the Nature Conservation Act, the Fossicking Act and the state fossicking guide, the Forestry Regulation 2024, Brisbane City Council's park rules, the Summary Offences Act, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage acts and the Queensland Heritage Act on October 7, 2026. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service regulations page and Toowoomba Regional Council's metal detector page blocked automated fetches and were not read. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act copy read is the current consolidation, dated November 9, 2018.

Keep your permitted Queensland spots organized

Once you’ve confirmed where you’re allowed to hunt, LuckyFind helps you make the most of it — track your route on the map, log each find with its location, and revisit your saved hunt records. LuckyFind does not verify land access or grant detecting permission. Free for iPhone and Android.

New to LuckyFind? Follow the first-hunt checklist, then learn how to record a hunt and add finds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is metal detecting allowed in Queensland national parks?
No. Section 265 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2024 bans using a metal detector in a protected area, which includes national parks, conservation parks and resources reserves. The regulation allows an exception for the chief executive's written approval or an authority under the Nature Conservation Act, but we found no approval category for hobby detecting. The maximum penalty is 20 penalty units.
Do I need a fossicking licence to use a metal detector in Queensland?
Only if you are fossicking, meaning searching for or collecting gemstones, ornamental stones, mineral specimens, alluvial gold or some fossils. The state says you do not need a fossicking licence to hunt for treasure or lost items such as coins and jewelry with a metal detector, but you should check the local council's rules for beaches and other public areas.
Can I keep gold I find in Queensland?
Yes, under a fossicking licence. The state says licensees can collect alluvial gold, including nuggets, for recreational, tourist and educational purposes. Selling the occasional lucky find is allowed, but repeated sale as a business needs a mining tenure under the Mineral Resources Act 1989.
Can I metal detect on Queensland beaches?
Usually, if the council allows it. No fossicking licence is needed to hunt for lost items on a beach, and the state points detectorists to the local council's rules for public beaches. Beaches inside national parks or other protected areas fall under the protected-area detector ban.
What should I do if I find an artifact in Queensland?
If it may be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, leave it where it is: excavating, moving, taking away or keeping it is an offense unless an exception applies. If it is a historic artifact that is an important source of information about Queensland's history, notify the state in the approved form as soon as practicable and do not disturb it for at least 20 business days after the notice.
Do I need permission to metal detect on private land in Queensland?
Yes. Fossicking on occupied land needs the owner's written permission, written on or attached to your fossicking licence, and entering a dwelling, its yard or a business place without lawful authority is trespass under the Summary Offences Act 2005.

Find more, remember where

Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.

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