With a metal detector in hand and the scorching Australian sun on their backs, Bridget and Levi North scour the rugged outback terrain for gold.
At any time, the married couple could get rich and amass a fortune, instantly filling their bank accounts.
Their biggest find to date was a 7 oz (198 g) gold nugget worth $22,000 and on another occasion they cashed in $5,000 after finding a 2 oz (56 g) 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 tried the metal detector and found a tiny gold nugget.
Besides mining, Levi works as a carpenter and Bridget runs her own jewelry store Bridget North studio where she uses some of the gold found to make fine pieces.
Bridget, 27, and Levi North, 30, mine for gold and crystals in the Australian outback. They live in a 11.5m bus traveling around Western Australia
Their biggest find to date was a 7 oz (198 g) gold nugget worth $22,000 and on another occasion they made $5,000 after finding a 2 oz (56 g) gold nugget ($500 nugget pictured)
Their 18-month-old Sunny also tried out the tools and found his first $50 gold nugget last month
The family of three lives completely off-grid in an 11.5m bus in Exmouth, Western Australia, driving back and forth along the coast.
When searching for gold, they travel out of town for up to five hours, often spending weeks at a time ‘out bush’.
The couple has been living on the road full-time for the past three years, but now that they have their little one on board, they need to be strategic with how they work.
“We only have one metal detector together and didn’t take Sunny out much. We’re about to start a two-week trip and he already wants to get more involved in what we’re doing,” Bridget said.
Both Bridge and Levi were “shocked and proud” when Sunny found his first little nugget last month.
Although it’s only worth about $50, the lucky parents have kept it in a safe place as a keepsake.
“We were out for a family afternoon, we cooked on the fire and had the metal detector lying around,” Bridget recalls.
“Sunny really wanted to start digging, so he picked up the detector, dragged it across the ground, and found his first little gold 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 lives completely off-grid in an 11.5m bus in Exmouth, Western Australia, driving back and forth along the coast. When panning for gold, they travel out of town for up to five hours, often spending weeks at a time ‘out bush’
Patience is key when it comes to mining as it can take days before you come across gold or crystals. “How long it takes depends on where we are, how much ground we cover, the weather — there are a lot of variables,” she added.
The couple have also recently taken up crystal mining – a ‘totally different’ process to gold mining, but just as rewarding
The pair have also recently taken up crystal mining – a ‘totally different’ process to gold mining, but just as rewarding.
‘We look for other indicators in the earth and dig by hand instead of using machines. You never know what you’ll find,” Bridget said.
Patience is key when it comes to mining as it can take days before you come across gold or crystals.
“How long it takes depends on where we are, how much ground we cover, the weather — there are a lot of variables,” she added.
While working, the pair wear protective gear to ensure they are not harmed by the undergrowth and blistering sun. They wear gaiter boots, long pants, long sleeve shirts and a hat.
This equipment also protects them from any snakes hidden in the outback.
While life on the road sounds carefree and relaxed, Bridget said her family is always busy. ‘We have a lot 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 jewelry to sell
In their spare time, the couple enjoys surfing, spearfishing, coastal walks and usually being outdoors in nature
While life on the road sounds carefree and relaxed, Bridget said her family is always busy.
‘We have a lot of freedom and follow the seasons. The lifestyle has become part of who we are,” she said.
In the summer, temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius, so the couple ride the bus south where it’s cooler and spend their free time at the beach.
On the bus they have a fully working kitchen complete with an oven, stove, friend and pantry, bathroom with bathtub, compost shower and running water, king size bed, ample storage space and large windows.
Life on the road means a relaxed, simple lifestyle with plenty of time away from home, as the bus has no TV or internet other than phone data.
In their spare time, the couple enjoys surfing, spearfishing, coastal walks and usually being outdoors in nature.
“We don’t really mind the lack of social interaction because we’re usually only out of town for four or five hours at a time and then go back to get supplies when we need to,” she said.
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