Metal Detecting and 4WDing North Queensland - Part 1.

In the first instalment of a two-part adventure, we head deep into the North Queensland bush in search of old goldfields camps. Some great Chinese coins and relics come to light and we camp out under the stars before exploring more historic sites, Aboriginal Cave Art, and the incredible 'Dripping Cave' in Part 2. A big thank you to Mr George Mayer (formerly of the North Queensland Miner's Den) - for inviting us along and sharing his knowledge of this historic area of North Queensland. Happy Fossicking! Warren and George. www.garrettaustralia.com.au www.outdoortactical.com.au www.nqexplorers.com nqexplorers

[@tomfrazier2195]

Looks like a nice "109". My mom used to drive one, a 1967 Warwickshire machine. There were a few others in my then area, SLO Calif. I even found an abandoned 109 pickup in the bush on Westside Molokai. There was a Rover dealer in Kamuela back in the 1960s. I find the cash coins everywhere here when digging. 1900 to WWII. I have seen them in California too, along with soy jugs and Tiger whiskies.

[@tomfrazier2195]

My friend inherited a 1977 Toyota Land Cruiser from his Dad, and we had great adventures in that truck. It had that neat old Toyota puke yellow paint, which is so beautiful in a world of grey cars today.

[@tomfrazier2195]

That wonderful Victorian engineering is sometimes visible here. I explored the old Wainaku Mill over on Hawaii in the early 1990s. Around 1970 the doors were closed and left to the not too forgiving windward Hawaii elements. Theo Davies has relocated their HQ to the site, so I have not been able to do a comparo to my memories. I passed by last in the early 2000s. Out here the Kahuku Mill seems to have fallen down of Windward & neglect. I do have a great colored postcard of Wainaku Mill of about 1910. The last mills on Oahu closed about 1995, Ewa and Waialua. Pioneer Mill om Maui closed in 2016, ending sugar in Hawaii for now.

[@SuperLaplander]

Very nice video.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@peterkelly1355]

What a great video mate!

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for watching and commenting Peter - Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@WW2HistoryHunter]

It is such a pleasure to watch Your adventures from the beautiful Down under and all the different cool locations i learn from watching Your videos. Thanks a lot and a Merry Christmas to you both. Thanks. WW2HH

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for supporting our channel this year WW2HH - thoroughly enjoy your videos! Merry Christmas to you. Warren and Colleen.

[@kaynef6637]

Hello

[@ArcturanMegadonkey]

Excellent video as always Warren, those Chinese cash coins are lovely, shame we don't get them over here in the UK. fantastic seeing those old steamers, Hornsby and sons ltd of Grantham, I am 30mins drive from Grantham! we had a ruston hornsby here in Lincoln so that is fascinating knowing machinery built in my county of Lincolnshire were transported over there. (Grantham is in the county of Lincolnshire) I'm not entirely sure of the deal between ruston and hornsby but I think what you have there is machinery built before the two companies joined up, amazing piece of history. amazing to see the wild irish girl preserved so well. looking forward to episode 2 Paul

[@NQExplorers]

Actually I've just checked my photos - the maker's name is "R. Hornsby & Sons". Perhaps the founder was actually Ruston Horsby? That steam engine would have been installed in 1875, so probably manufactured in Grantham 1873-1874? Cheers mate. Warren.

[@OurPastAu]

Awesome video Warren! Looking forward to part two.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting Jacob - Part 2 coming soon - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@AmericanCoinHunting]

Warren . I so enjoyed your hunt with George , and all the old 1600's Chinese cache coins you found .as well as those keys . Loved the Wild Irish girl tour , safe with the doors open , and signing of the book .You said incredible , and you are so Right On m8 !

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting and for your support of our channel this year Dave - all the best mate - Merry Christmas! Warren and Colleen.

[@highlandprofile9401]

Warren....what a cracking history tour....thanks

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting Kev - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@ArcturanMegadonkey]

just did a google search and there is a very interesting read up, just search for 'ruston hornsby' My father used to work for 'Ruston gas turbines' which is what they were to become later on, then 'european gas turbines' then 'ABB alstom power' and now 'siemens' There are a few building with 'hornsby' on them, if I get chance I'll photograph them

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your research on that Paul - there are literally hundreds of old stationery steam and steam traction engines rusting away in the bush around North Queensland, and many more that have been restored to working order. Many of the earlier ones are English, with a lot of American Babcock and Wilcox units in shearing sheds and sawmills etc, and a lot from Australian Foundries. Since this area dates from the early 1870s (first white settlement) - most are English. Great to have that connection to your local county! Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@cathybenson5119]

I would love to do metal detecting. my problem is being able to afford to get the equipment. maybe one day. lol. what do you do to find places to detect?

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your comment Cathy - we do a lot of research with old books and maps, to find the places that we uncover relics. All the best and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@cathybenson5119]

I can't wait to be able to afford my own detector. One day. Lol

[@Oldblue110]

👍

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for watching our videos Old Blue - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@RoamingTheOutback]

Excellent video Warren. Incredible how many coins are just lying around. Would love to tag along on one of your trips when I'm next up NQ way. Regards Brett

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment Brett - would be great to hook up for a trip and joint video together. I just replaced my number plate light with LED and used your video as a reference. All the best mate - Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@gravediggermaxvabeachva]

good spinning Warren - nice vid....standing by for no. 2 spin.....good luck

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting Max - all the best mate and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@mezellenjohnson2753]

Very interesting and educational video, thank you and George for explaining. Take care, good luck 🍀and happy fossicking Mary-Ellen UK 🙋👍

[@Upem1942]

Great Vid Warren heaps of coins and great times😃👍🏻

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting - Happy Fossicking and keep up the great digs yourself! Warren.

[@Outdoorsaustralia]

the wild Irish girl mine is a beauty, you dont see things like that anymore. Thanks for sharing :)

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your comment - the isolation of the Wild Irish Girl is it's saviour - let's hope the roads don't improve LOL. Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@russellk.bonney8534]

Did you drive up that hill to Cradle Ck? I made that track in the eighties.

[@bogdonkey2858]

Great video.

[@MsSmokeybear1]

Really enjoyed seeing all your wonderful finds but the best bit was all the history up and the fact that it is untouched, awesome. Can't wait for part two.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment MsSmokey - fortunately the area filmed is very difficult to get to, which is why it is so well preserved - let's hope they never improve the road! All the very best and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@ijc1958]

Another great video Warren and many thanks to Mr Meyer for pointing you in the right direction. I saw one of the old hammer stampers in action a couple of months ago at the gold rush colony in Mogo NSW it had large rubber pads at the bottom of each hammer to reduce noise but still made a hell of a racket and shook the ground underfoot.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment - yes I love those old stampers too. I've watched a 10-head stamper running and you can hear the thing for miles LOL. Imagine what the goldfields would have been like in the 1870s with all those stampers running - incredible. All the best and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@CodingToFreedom]

I really like your landscape over there, I have to visit one day.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for watching and commenting on our video - all the best and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@mydnasample]

Merry Christmas!

[@yell70]

Great stuff Warren, the coins and relics are what interest me in the goldfields too. Although I wouldn't say no to a nugget. Can't wait for part 2. Cheers, Vic

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment Vic - Part 2 will follow shortly mate - Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@archeodigger]

totally awesome hunt and chalked full of wonderful history Warren! I love all the cache coins you found and the little ones Iv'e not seen you dig before. Fantastic stuff mate!

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment Doug - please say g'day to all our fellow diggers at the Mat-su Dirtfishers! All the best and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@metaldetectingtasmania6740]

Well done Warren! Always love watching your videos! :)

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for watching and commenting and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@reubenwells3670]

Another great video warren 😃

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your comment Rueben - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@tazwhitefeather]

Love the adventure videos Warren, great work!

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting Taz - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@farenheit1100]

Those steam plants are interesting Warren. My great grandfather ran similar steam powered sawmills and coal mine electric generating power plants. GL and HH Hugh

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your comment Hugh - there are literally hundreds of old stationery steam and steam traction engines rusting away in the bush around North Queensland, and many more that have been restored to working order. Many of the earlier ones are English, with a lot of American Babcock and Wilcox units in shearing sheds and sawmills etc, and a lot from Australian Foundries. Since this area dates from the early 1870s (first white settlement) - most are English. Steam traction engines were also the first replacement for bullock teams, hauling mineral ores etc from mines to railheads, until the railway system spread further. Lovely old historic relics. Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@michaelfike7542]

great video enjoyed it

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your comment Michael - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@WalterKerr]

All those Chinese coins, what a great site. I've only ever found one and a half Chinese coins. Always good stuff Warren, thanks again mate.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for commenting Walter - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@kevinron7559]

What a fabulous place, what makes me laugh is the Palm River Historical Preservation Society what to preserve the shack, but it will be gone within 20 years if it truly is preserved.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment Kevin - absolutely right - there isn't actually any preservation going on - everything is just rusting into the ground - as you point out - in 20 years it will all be gone. All the best mate and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@robincoker225]

Warren not long ago i bought the oztrail stretcher tent, a copy of the bunker you use, mate if it isn`t the best sleep out bush i`ve ever had. whats your tally for cash coins to date? dont think there are many left. great video as always.

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment Robin - the Jet Bunker is actually George's digs - absolutely brilliant as you point out, I have a very high quality AOS Tracker Dome sway (made in WA from heavy Aussie canvas) - but you can't beat the comfort of being off the ground a bit LOL. We have several hundred Chinese Cash coins in our collection now - the oldest is a huge '2 Cash' dating from AD1068. All the best mate and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@willyfog8784]

You have really nice videos ;) Greetings from Austria ;) (Militaryfinder1945 Team)

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for watching our video Willy - Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@yongliangzhaao5055]

这么多中国古钱币（铜币），有历史纪念价值！可以是说明一段历史进程！！！

[@NQExplorers]

Thanks for your great comment - we unearth more historic Chinese coins in Part 2! All the best and Happy Fossicking! Warren.

[@yongliangzhaao5055]

NQExplorers good luck!