Gold has officially cracked the $150-a-gram mark in Australian dollars, and few are more excited — or reflective — than gold prospector, dealer, and TV personality Tyler Mahoney.
“I know I’ve said it a million times over the last month, but it’s true,” Tyler said in a candid update from her prospecting base in Western Australia. “Gold’s about to crack $150 a gram. It’s a bloody good time to be a gold prospector, or a digger and dealer.”
The milestone comes amid increasingly tough conditions for gold hunters. “Ground access is getting harder here in WA — whether it’s regulations, land closures, or native title complexities,” Tyler explained. “And the gold itself is becoming more scarce. But the price increase? That’s definitely helping make up for it.”
Why the Surge?
According to Tyler, several factors are fueling gold’s dramatic rise:
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Geopolitical instability: “People flock to gold when the world feels uncertain. It’s a safe haven — and we’re seeing that play out right now.”
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Interest rates: “When interest rates go up, investors tend to shift into hard assets like gold.”
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Central bank demand: “A lot of central banks are buying physical gold at the moment — tonnes of it. That’s massive pressure on supply.”
“Gold isn’t renewable,” Tyler added. “You can’t just whip up more. So when demand skyrockets like this, supply can’t keep up — and prices shoot up.”
Hopes and Hesitations
While some analysts are predicting that gold could hit $5,000 AUD per ounce, or even $6,000 by year’s end, Tyler is measured in her take. “I’m not a financial advisor, I don’t have any official accreditation. But as a prospector and dealer, I’m hoping we see that $5,000 mark soon. That would be wild.”
Still, she warns her audience to do their own research: “You’ve got to diversify your portfolio. Don’t just blindly follow the hype.”
Dealer Dilemmas: “I Feel Guilty Making a Win”
Despite the boom, Tyler says she feels conflicted about raising prices on gold nuggets available through her business, The Prospector’s Club. “We’ve got a few investment-sized nuggets left on the site. I set the prices last week, and even though gold’s gone up — I haven’t changed them.”
“I know any other gold dealer would’ve jacked the prices by now. But I just feel weird about it. I already locked in a margin I’m happy with. I don’t need to chase more.”
Tyler admits it may come from her being relatively new to the business side. “The prospecting I’ve been doing since I was a kid, but the gold dealing — I’ve really only been doing that for 18 months.”
Riding the Market Waves
Tyler also shared the emotional highs and lows of being a gold dealer. “You check the gold price 50 times a day. You might buy $100,000 worth of gold, then the price drops by the time it’s smelted — and you lose thousands. That’s part of the gig.”
But this time, she caught a win: “I bought some gold in last week’s drop. The price has risen since then — so technically I’ve made a better margin. But I still feel guilty increasing prices. I’ll probably wait until Friday and reassess.”
Honest, Human, and in the Game
What sets Tyler apart isn’t just her background in gold hunting — it’s her openness about the ethical grey zones of business. “I think it’s a people-pleasing thing,” she said. “I don’t want anyone thinking I’m a bad person for making a better margin. But at the same time… that’s business, right?”
As gold fever grips the country, Tyler Mahoney stands at the crossroad of tradition and transparency — part bush prospector, part modern businesswoman — navigating a golden era with grit, grace, and a fair bit of self-reflection.
“Let me know your thoughts,” she said. “I’m still learning — but right now? It feels like gold fever all over again.”
