Gold hunting Australian couple live in a bus in the outback searching for hidden treasure worth thousands of dollars
- Bridget and Levi North mine gold in the Australian outback for a living
- The couple live in a bus with their toddler, Sunny
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With a metal detector in hand and the blistering Aussie sun on their backs, Bridget and Levi North search the rough outback terrain in search for gold.
At any moment the married couple could strike it rich and dig up a fortune, instantly filling their bank accounts.
Their biggest find to date was a 7oz (198g) gold nugget worth $22,000 and on another occasion they cashed in $5,000 after finding a 2oz (56g) gold nugget.
‘It’s like we’re on a treasure hunt – you never know what you might find, it’s always exciting,’ Bridget, 27, told FEMAIL.
A month ago their 18-month-old toddler Sunny even had a go at the metal detector and managed to find a tiny nugget.
In addition to mining, Levi works as a carpenter and Bridget runs her own jewellery business Bridget North Studio where she uses some of the gold found to make delicates pieces.
Bridget, 27, and Levi North, 30, mine for gold and crystals in the Australian outback. They live in a 11.5m bus travelling around Western Australia
Their biggest find to date was a 7oz (198g) gold nugget worth $22,000 and on another occasion they cashed in $5,000 after finding a 2oz (56g) gold nugget ($500 nugget pictured)
Their 18-month-old Sunny has also had a go on the tools and found his first gold nugget last month worth $50
The family-of-three live completely off-grid in a 11.5m bus in Exmouth, Western Australia and drive up and down the coast.
When searching for gold they travel up to five hours out of town and often spend weeks at a time ‘out bush’.
The couple have spent the last three years living on the road full-time, but now with their little one on board they have to be strategic with how they work.
‘We only have one metal detector between us and haven’t taken Sunny out a huge amount. We’re about to start a two week trip and he’s already wanting to get more involved with what we do,’ Bridget said.
Both Bridge and Levi were ‘shocked and proud’ when Sunny found his first tiny gold nugget last month.
While it’s only worth around $50, the happy parents have popped it in a safe place as a keepsake.
‘We were out for a family afternoon, we cooked dinner on the fire and had the metal detector lying around,’ Bridget recalled.
‘Sunny really wanted to get involved in digging, so he picked up the detector, dragged it along the ground and found his first small nugget.’
‘We were so proud. We thought he would be a lot older by the time he found his first nugget. His interest in it really surprised me.’
The family-of-three live completely off-grid in a 11.5m bus in Exmouth, Western Australia and drive up and down the coast. When searching for gold they travel up to five hours out of town and often spend weeks at a time ‘out bush’
Patience is key when it comes to mining as it could take days before coming across gold or crystals. ‘How long it takes depends on where we are, how much ground we’re covering, the weather – there’s a lot of variables,’ she added
The couple have also recently started mining for crystals – a ‘completely different’ process compared to mining gold, but just as rewarding
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The couple have also recently started mining for crystals – a ‘completely different’ process compared to mining gold, but just as rewarding.
‘We look for different indicators in the earth and hand dig rather than use machinery. You never know what you’ll find,’ Bridget said.
Patience is key when it comes to mining as it could take days before coming across gold or crystals.
‘How long it takes depends on where we are, how much ground we’re covering, the weather – there’s a lot of variables,’ she added.
While out working the couple wear protective gear to ensure they aren’t harmed by the bush terrain and blistering sun. They wear Gaiter boots, long pants, long sleeve shirts, and a hat.
This gear also protects them from any snakes hidden in the outback.
While living on the road sounds care-free and relaxed, Bridget said her family is always keeping busy. ‘We have lots of freedom and follow the seasons. The lifestyle has become part of who we are,’ she said
Bridget also uses some of the gold and transforms it into jewellery to sell
In their spare time, the couple enjoy surfing, spear fishing, hiking along the coast and generally being outside in nature
While living on the road sounds care-free and relaxed, Bridget said her family is always keeping busy.
‘We have lots of freedom and follow the seasons. The lifestyle has become part of who we are,’ she said.
In summer temperatures can reach a scorching 50 degrees Celsius, so the couple drive the bus south where it’s cooler and stay by the beach in their spare time.
Inside the bus they have a fully working kitchen complete with an oven, stove, friend and pantry, bathroom with a bathtub, compost shower and running water, king sized bed, ample storage and huge windows.
Life on the road means a relaxed, simple lifestyle with a lot of time spent outdoors as the bus doesn’t have a tv and no internet besides phone data.
In their spare time, the couple enjoy surfing, spear fishing, hiking along the coast and generally being outside in nature.
‘We don’t really mind the lack of social interaction because we’re usually only four or five hours out from town at a time then go back for supplies when we need,’ she said.
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