Verna Baker, Steven Fiume and Scott and Tom Cooper won a list of prizes at this month's Dunolly Gold Panning Championships.

The competitors contested the Australian Championships at Ballarat's Sovereign Hill at the weekend.

Events included children's, beginners', veterans', men's and ladies' skilled and team events.

The Eureka Challenge was also held on Sunday.

The event restricts competitors to traditional pans and bans the use of plastic or carbon-fibre pans that are used in competitive gold panning.

Mrs Baker said meeting other panners from all over the world was a special feeling.

"Miners return to participate in the historic event and continue to build golden friendships," Mrs Baker said.

Gold panning as a recreational sporting activity is steadily growing throughout Victoria and in many other interstate areas.