Gold & Relics is, at its core, a family story. Our business is run by Darren, Leanne, and daughter Taleesha – fourth & fifth generations of prospecting tradition wrapped into one long-standing adventure.
It all began with the great grandparents heading to Australia to find their fortune. Leanne's great grandparents settled in Smythesdale and prospected for gold in the area, did well for themselves and finally owned a grocery store.
Darren's first experience came when he first picked up a gold pan in Daylesford at just 13 years old while out with his grandfather. What started as a simple day out quickly became a lifelong pursuit. By the 1980s, Darren was teaching himself to detect with a second-hand Garrett Deepseeker. Six months of trial, error, and persistence finally led him to his first nugget – and that spark never faded.
In 1995, Darren headed across to Western Australia for the prospecting season with a mate and his father. It remains one of his fondest memories. From that point on, WA became an annual family pilgrimage. There was one season where we pulled 46 ounces in 15 weeks. It was a family affair over the years, camping out, soaking up the bush life, and raising Taleesha and her siblings in the red dirt where they learned to crawl amongst the three-corner jacks.
Across decades, Darren has found over 500 ounces of gold, including standout pieces such as a 24-ounce nugget, two 16-ouncers, a 10-ouncer, and a pair of 8-ounce beauties. He remembers selling gold for $12.50 a gram in the 1980s – a far cry from today’s prices.
By 2000, Darren and Leanne had stepped into gold buying and selling after hearing stories of friends being ripped off by dodgy gold dealers. By 2007, after coming home from trips with handfuls of gold, their friends were asking them to teach them how they did it. Darren remembered how tough those early years were, and he didn’t want others to go through the same struggle. It was a way to share decades of know-how and help others experience the thrill of a real find. As the business grew, it remained firmly in family hands.
Leanne took on the role of CEO - Chief Everything Officer - with her management and leadership skills, keeping everything and everyone running smoothly. Taleesha brought her design, technology, and modern marketing skills into the mix, helping the business evolve and stay connected with a new generation of prospectors. Together, the three of them have shaped Gold & Relics into a welcoming, authentic experience built on honesty, family values, and real field knowledge.
Today, the family is supported by a valued and trusted team. They share the same passion for the bush and the joy of helping people uncover that first nugget. Many guests return year after year, not just for the gold, but for the mateship and the sense of belonging that forms out in the field.
Darren still trains, studies, and pushes himself to stay ahead of the game. His enthusiasm is as strong as it was at 13, and he’s committed to passing that knowledge on to every guest who joins a tour.
Leanne is a lifelong learner, particularly in the area of mindset and personal development, which she loves to apply to business as well as gold prospecting and Taleesha represents the next generation of our prospecting family. She combines her love of the outback and nature with strong skills in technology and online operations, continuously developing new ways to enhance the guest experience and keep our tours running seamlessly.
When you come on a Gold & Relics adventure, you’re not just learning how to detect – you’re stepping into a family passion that spans generations. Join us in the rugged Australian goldfields and experience the excitement, the history, and the unforgettable moments that make prospecting such a special part of our lives.
It all began with the great grandparents heading to Australia to find their fortune. Leanne's great grandparents settled in Smythesdale and prospected for gold in the area, did well for themselves and finally owned a grocery store.
Darren's first experience came when he first picked up a gold pan in Daylesford at just 13 years old while out with his grandfather. What started as a simple day out quickly became a lifelong pursuit. By the 1980s, Darren was teaching himself to detect with a second-hand Garrett Deepseeker. Six months of trial, error, and persistence finally led him to his first nugget – and that spark never faded.
In 1995, Darren headed across to Western Australia for the prospecting season with a mate and his father. It remains one of his fondest memories. From that point on, WA became an annual family pilgrimage. There was one season where we pulled 46 ounces in 15 weeks. It was a family affair over the years, camping out, soaking up the bush life, and raising Taleesha and her siblings in the red dirt where they learned to crawl amongst the three-corner jacks.
Across decades, Darren has found over 500 ounces of gold, including standout pieces such as a 24-ounce nugget, two 16-ouncers, a 10-ouncer, and a pair of 8-ounce beauties. He remembers selling gold for $12.50 a gram in the 1980s – a far cry from today’s prices.
By 2000, Darren and Leanne had stepped into gold buying and selling after hearing stories of friends being ripped off by dodgy gold dealers. By 2007, after coming home from trips with handfuls of gold, their friends were asking them to teach them how they did it. Darren remembered how tough those early years were, and he didn’t want others to go through the same struggle. It was a way to share decades of know-how and help others experience the thrill of a real find. As the business grew, it remained firmly in family hands.
Leanne took on the role of CEO - Chief Everything Officer - with her management and leadership skills, keeping everything and everyone running smoothly. Taleesha brought her design, technology, and modern marketing skills into the mix, helping the business evolve and stay connected with a new generation of prospectors. Together, the three of them have shaped Gold & Relics into a welcoming, authentic experience built on honesty, family values, and real field knowledge.
Today, the family is supported by a valued and trusted team. They share the same passion for the bush and the joy of helping people uncover that first nugget. Many guests return year after year, not just for the gold, but for the mateship and the sense of belonging that forms out in the field.
Darren still trains, studies, and pushes himself to stay ahead of the game. His enthusiasm is as strong as it was at 13, and he’s committed to passing that knowledge on to every guest who joins a tour.
Leanne is a lifelong learner, particularly in the area of mindset and personal development, which she loves to apply to business as well as gold prospecting and Taleesha represents the next generation of our prospecting family. She combines her love of the outback and nature with strong skills in technology and online operations, continuously developing new ways to enhance the guest experience and keep our tours running seamlessly.
When you come on a Gold & Relics adventure, you’re not just learning how to detect – you’re stepping into a family passion that spans generations. Join us in the rugged Australian goldfields and experience the excitement, the history, and the unforgettable moments that make prospecting such a special part of our lives.
