Interview with Metal Detectorist Ingrid from Australia 

From the heart of mid-north South Australia, Ingrid’s journey into metal detecting is one of resilience, passion, and rediscovery. After a life-altering accident left her having to relearn daily tasks and give up other passions such as horseback riding and motorbiking, she found new purpose in the hobby of metal detecting. What began with a secondhand metal detector, detecting a farm has since grown into an inspiring pursuit of history, community connection, and meaningful finds. In this interview, Ingrid shares her favorite discoveries, tips for gaining permissions, and how metal detecting helped her reclaim joy and direction in life.

Where do you live, and where do you generally detect metal?

I live on a farm in Mid North South Australia, where I’ve spent years raising two children and supporting their passion for horses. Six years ago, a serious accident when a tree fell on me at a kids sporting event, which changed my life dramatically. With injuries to my right side, I had to relearn everyday tasks using my left hand and was advised not to ride horses or motorbikes again. In search of a new hobby, a friend suggested I try metal detecting. I purchased a second-hand Minelab Vanquish 540 and began exploring the farm. Having previously found old bottles, broken china, and a religious pendant—and with a lifelong love for antiques and history— relic metal detecting immediately felt like the perfect fit. It wasn’t long before I uncovered signs of an old Irish settlement on the property.

Since then, I’ve upgraded to the Minelab Equinox 800 for its rechargeable battery, I also upgraded the Equinox with a lightweight carbon shaft, and smaller coil, which make it easier and more enjoyable to continue my detecting adventures.

I mostly focus on bush detecting, as I’m several hours from the nearest beach and prefer hunting inland where corrosion is less of an issue. These days, I primarily detect abandoned farm ruins through local permissions, though I also enjoy traveling for new sites.

One of my best metal detecting finds to date is a Victorian-era ruby and vintage gold ring—hammered and etched with a “seeing eye” design—dating to around 1890. It’s a remarkable piece of history and a reminder of the stories waiting to be discovered just beneath the surface. My next best find is a Mexican 8 Reele.

Can you share some tips with our readers on how to successfully obtain metal detecting permissions?

I’ve been actively involved in my local community for years, volunteering at various events and building strong relationships. When I began seeking metal detecting permissions, I started by speaking with people I already knew and trusted. From there, I approached nearby farmers—most of whom were incredibly kind and open. As long as I respect cropping seasons and make sure to close gates behind me, I’ve never had any issues returning to those properties.

I also make a point to talk about my metal detecting finds and share the historical research I’ve done on the area. Many landowners get excited when they learn about the past hidden beneath their land, and several have even invited me to detect their properties. When they’re interested, I always offer to leave the artifacts with them, as I believe historical finds are best preserved on the property itself or donated to a local museum.

I’ve also had the opportunity to detect on a few well-known historical properties, and those finds are set to be curated in local museums here in our town. It’s been a rewarding way to combine my passion for metal detecting with historical preservation and community engagement.

What are your favorite settings for Minelab Equinox 800?
Definitely Park 1

When you have limited time on a farm house permission, how do you decide where to start detecting, and where do you focus your efforts?

If I have limited time to metal detect a farmhouse permission, I begin at the old clothesline and front door area. These spots were commonly used for burying coins—often three—for protection or good luck. Next, I search around old toilets, outhouses, and sheds, as these areas frequently yield a range of historical finds. I then move to the base of the oldest and largest trees on the property and check near the main gate entrances—places where farmers would mount or dismount horses, often dropping coins in the process.

It’s also important to think outside the box—old fence lines, picnic spots, and areas where people would stop for lunch can be rich with forgotten relics. Even handkerchiefs and cold coins (silver coins) have been found in these overlooked areas.

When you have limited time on a farm field permission, how do you decide where to start detecting, and where do you focus your efforts?

Always keep an eye out for old stone foundations, surface scatterings of broken china or glass, and partially buried antique bottles—these are strong indicators of past human activity. Finding horseshoes can also be a clue that people stopped in the area, possibly to rest or replace a shoe, making it a prime spot where coins and other relics may have been dropped.

Who have been your mentors in metal detecting, and where do you turn for tips, learning, and refining your skills?

I’m lucky to be part of a wonderful group of women who metal detect across Australia. We’ve created a small but supportive online community where we share our finds, tips, and encouragement. I also help run a few other detecting pages, which has allowed me to learn from many different people.

Some of my biggest metal detecting mentors are my friends Camille and Speedy. Camille is an excellent detectorist and runs a great channel called 10 Targets that I’ve seen a few times. Wayne Aguire, out of Bridgeport, Connecticut  is also a huge inspiration—he’s incredibly skilled at ring recovery, and offers great support to the detecting community.

Can you share some of the most useful metal detecting tips or insights you’ve picked up from your mentors or the detecting community?

Through messaging other detectorists, I discovered that switching to a carbon shaft and using smaller coils would make detecting much lighter and easier for me. These days, I rarely change coils in the field—I mostly run the 6-inch coil everywhere. Over the years, through lots of practice, I’ve learned to adjust my setup to suit my body and detecting style.

One important lesson I’ve picked up is that you have to dig a lot of trash to find the treasure. If you’re too selective, you’ll miss all kinds of amazing items—like cool vintage badges and gold rings. I’ve been lucky enough to find three very old gold rings while bush detecting, which is quite rare, as most rings are typically found on beaches. I love that every treasure tells a story, and I usually make up a wild tale to go along with each find—it adds to the fun and imagination of the hunt.

If you had the opportunity to metal detect anywhere—no limits—what location would be at the top of your bucket list, and why?

I’ve always enjoyed watching metal detecting videos featuring old UK finds—they truly spark my passion for history. With both English and Dutch royal ancestry, the idea of detecting in the UK feels especially meaningful, particularly since I have family there. I’ve also developed a deep interest in European history and hope to explore parts of Europe with a detector in hand, combining travel with my love for uncovering the past. My third dream destination would be the United States. Years ago, I worked as a nanny for an American family in the Netherlands, and they now live near Idaho—so a visit, and possibly some metal detecting in Idaho, may be on the horizon.

What else would you like to tell our readers?

Metal detecting has truly changed my life since the accident—it’s given me hope, purpose, and new dreams to chase.

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Ingrid’s story is a powerful reminder of how metal detecting is more than just a hobby—it’s a path to healing, discovery, and connection. From her farm in Mid North South Australia to dreams of detecting in Europe and the U.S., she exemplifies the passion and perseverance that define the best in the metal detecting community. Whether it’s gaining permissions, sharing finds, or helping preserve history, Ingrid brings a thoughtful and respectful approach to the hobby. For anyone inspired to start or continue their own journey, her experiences prove that with curiosity, community, and determination, every swing of the coil can uncover more than just treasure—it can uncover purpose.