Treasure hunter reveals the amazing items hidden under our feet!
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From lost rings to war medals, fascinating relics have been hidden deep under the surf and all around the country – and Aussie treasure hunters have been braving all conditions to uncover them.
Whether it's your own hunt or you're inspired by the hit TV shows like Aussie Gold Hunters and Netflix's Detectorists, metal detecting has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
Kazz Preston from Queensland has taken this to a whole other level.
She's the head of the 'Gold Coast Treasure Hunters' Facebook group and also runs her own metal-detecting recovery service - helping find missing belongings, such as phones, keys, and even a person's ashes!
According to Preston, the ocean is actually full of jewellery - she's recovered thousands of rings, many worth tens of thousands of dollars, that people have lost while surfing.
On top of expensive jewellery and sentimental items, she has also stumbled across some finds that others may find 'romantic' - such as a green jade pendant that dates back more than 75 years, inscribed with the words, 'New Guinea 1945…To Lucy, Love Len.'
Sadly, Preston is still searching for the owner of this mysterious love token.
Other finds, though, were less heartwarming, such as the box of burnt war medals that Kazz unearthed on the beach at Surfers Paradise in September last year.
'I read that some Australian soldiers burnt their medals when they pulled out of Afghanistan in disgust over what happened,' Kazz said.
'It's just devastating to think this soldier sat there in that same spot and set fire to his medals. It's the saddest find I've ever had, for sure.'
Kazz handed the medals to the police, who promised to conduct a welfare check on the soldier.
Before joining in on the fun of treasure hunting yourself, make sure you're aware of the laws surrounding it. It's a common misconception that the finder is the rightful owner - but this isn't the case, and it's easy to get caught out if you don't know the rules.
Kazz revealed: 'A lot of people don't realise that if you find anything worth more than $100, you have to hand that to the police. If you keep or sell it, it's called theft by finding, and it's a chargeable offence.'
She added that if the item is not claimed within 60 days, the person who found it can collect and keep it.
Also, a lot of people don't realise the hard work that goes into metal detecting. You won't get rich metal detecting, said Preston. In reality, it's 99 per cent rubbish and 1 per cent treasure!
Are you a treasure hunter? Have you had any exciting finds? Tell us about it in the comments below!
And for those who are thinking of giving it a go, here are some tips to help you get started:
Credit: Our Past.
Whether it's your own hunt or you're inspired by the hit TV shows like Aussie Gold Hunters and Netflix's Detectorists, metal detecting has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
Kazz Preston from Queensland has taken this to a whole other level.
She's the head of the 'Gold Coast Treasure Hunters' Facebook group and also runs her own metal-detecting recovery service - helping find missing belongings, such as phones, keys, and even a person's ashes!
If you're looking in the right place, you'll be surprised what might be right underneath your feet. Credit: Unsplash/Roger Starnes Sr.
According to Preston, the ocean is actually full of jewellery - she's recovered thousands of rings, many worth tens of thousands of dollars, that people have lost while surfing.
On top of expensive jewellery and sentimental items, she has also stumbled across some finds that others may find 'romantic' - such as a green jade pendant that dates back more than 75 years, inscribed with the words, 'New Guinea 1945…To Lucy, Love Len.'
Sadly, Preston is still searching for the owner of this mysterious love token.
Other finds, though, were less heartwarming, such as the box of burnt war medals that Kazz unearthed on the beach at Surfers Paradise in September last year.
'I read that some Australian soldiers burnt their medals when they pulled out of Afghanistan in disgust over what happened,' Kazz said.
'It's just devastating to think this soldier sat there in that same spot and set fire to his medals. It's the saddest find I've ever had, for sure.'
Kazz handed the medals to the police, who promised to conduct a welfare check on the soldier.
Kazz revealed: 'A lot of people don't realise that if you find anything worth more than $100, you have to hand that to the police. If you keep or sell it, it's called theft by finding, and it's a chargeable offence.'
She added that if the item is not claimed within 60 days, the person who found it can collect and keep it.
Also, a lot of people don't realise the hard work that goes into metal detecting. You won't get rich metal detecting, said Preston. In reality, it's 99 per cent rubbish and 1 per cent treasure!
Are you a treasure hunter? Have you had any exciting finds? Tell us about it in the comments below!
And for those who are thinking of giving it a go, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Familiarise yourself with the local laws and regulations surrounding metal detecting.
- Wear appropriate clothing and shoes – take waterproofs and sturdy boots if you're searching in wet or muddy conditions.
- Invest in a good quality metal detector and take your time to read the manual.
- Join a community – some communities organise regular events, as well as give valuable advice and tips to their members.
- Get permission to search sites, including private land and beaches.
- Always follow the treasure hunters' code of ethics – never deliberately damage an area or remove historical artefacts from their context.
- Have patience and take your time – and most importantly, have fun!
Credit: Our Past.
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