Metal Detecting

Metal Detecting is an activity in Dinkum that lets the player locate buried treasure on the island surface. Buried items can appear anywhere, but they are most common along the beach, especially in the sand near and in the water. Once a buried item is found, it can be dug up with a shovel.

To begin metal detecting, the player must speak with Fletch and purchase both a Level 1 Excavation Licence and a Metal Detecting Licence. These licences unlock the tools needed to search for buried items, including the metal detector from Shop Deed. While on land, the player selects the metal detector and holds the use button; as they move around, the detector emits faster beeping as they get closer to buried treasure. A blue ground indicator appears when the player is near a buried item, and when standing on the exact tile, the item can be dug up. With Metal Detecting Licence Level 2, an X may also appear over the location of buried treasure, making it easier to find without relying on the detector.

Buried items can also be uncovered accidentally while terraforming with shovels or compactors. They respawn over time, and can even appear beneath paths or in tiles next to a Quarry, so a site that seems fully developed can still hide treasure below the surface.

The buried item pool includes a mix of relic parts, sellable items, and special finds. Known buried items include Amber Chunk, Bright Wire, Button Board, Ear Hats, Glass Bulb, Green Board, Hot Cylinder, Old Barrel, Old Contraption, Old Gear, Old Key, Old Spring, Old Toy, Old Wheel, Orange Hang Glider, Shiny Disc, Sliding Handle, Smooth Slate, and Wheelie Bin. Some of these have extra uses: Amber Chunk can be sold by dropping it on the scales at John's Goods, Shiny Disc can be sold to Franklyn to unlock craftable items, and Old Barrel and Wheelie Bin can be destroyed to drop relic items.

Metal Detecting is also tied to progression through the Archaeologist milestone, which is completed by finding treasure. Because buried items can spawn in many different places and continue to respawn, it is worth checking beaches regularly and scanning any area where the detector begins to beep more rapidly.