Don't think you can just rock up to Clermont on a week end and get a permit to p

We went to Clermont last weekend to do a bit of gold prospecting.

We got to the caravan park at about 11.30 am and by the time I got set up an wandered down to the prospectors shop to get a permit it was about 12.20pm.

The shop was closed and a sign gave two telephone numbers to ring if the shop was closed.

I rang both numbers and left a message. I am still waiting for a reply.

He finally turned up at the shop at 4.20pm.

His shop ours are fairly limited. In the afternoon its 4 - 6 pm. I don't know what time he opens in the morning, but the sign says closes at noon, but people tell me he actually closes at 11am.

I then remembered that the Cleremont website said you can get a permit from the tourist info centre. Went there and was told they don't sell them on the week end!

I can't believe that permits are not more readily available.

It would be a smart move to give the caravan operator the ok to sell them as he is there 24/7.

Does anyone know if this is normal in all gold towns in Qld or is Clermont the odd bod?

Finally we left Clermont at about 11.30am and the tourist inormation centre was closed. The town may talk the talk, but don't walk the walk when it comes to tourism.