Residents in a small Queensland town say gold fever is "deadset real" with the prospect of striking it rich drawing thousands of people in each year.

SPECULATION about where an enormous gold nugget was found in North Queensland is rife on social media, with plenty of people also adding metal detectors to their Christmas wish list.

Metal detector enthusiasts are flocking to a small town in central Queensland to try their luck in two newly opened areas of state forest.

Men prospecting for gold in Queensland in the early 20th Century. "Fossickers also need to remember to fill in the hole that they have dug so that it's safe for others.

QUEENSLANDERS wanting to enjoy low budget, family-friendly activities closer to home are contributing to a spike in demand for prospecting and fossicking.

Dry sparks gold rush in North Queensland THERE’S gold in the hills around Townsville. But North Queensland’s growing legion of prospectors have been warned to stick to the rules or risk hefty ...

Fossicking for gold, precious gems and metals has experienced a surge in popularity across Central Queensland and the state.