Our knowledge of geochemical dispersion of gold and gold pathfinders in the Gawler Craton (South Australia) is poor since there have been very few published research or orientation studies. In this study conducted at the Birthday gold prospect, the applicability of geochemical dispersion models identified in Western Australia to sites in the Gawler Craton was investigated. The specific objectives of the study were to (i) undertake a detailed orientation survey in an area of known gold mineralisation, (ii) establish a regolith framework, (iii) identify potential sample media, and (iv) recommend the most appropriate ways to explore in this area. A 1.5 km line (the regolith traverse) was chosen for the study of lateral and vertical geochemical dispersion and regolith stratigraphy. The Birthday gold prospect (Minotaur Gold NL; EL 1900) occupies an area of low topographic relief in a semi-arid environment, and is located ~750 km northwest of Adelaide, South Australia. Logged drillhole samples indicate a complex, deeply weathered regolith. The upper regolith (0-6 m) is characterised by the development of silcrete and calcrete on a thin (<2 m) horizon of locally transported materials, overlying Archaean rocks deeply weathered to clay-rich saprolite to about 30-40 m depth. Geochemical assay results confirmed anomalous gold concentrations in calcrete (maximum of 13 ppb Au) formed above two zones of bedrock mineralisation at about 30 m depth. However, concentrations were also high (14 ppb Au) in a separate area where no mineralisation has been identified. Anomalous concentrations of gold above mineralisation also appear to persist in the upper regolith (beneath the calcrete), and it is this feature that distinguishes the false anomaly from the true. Recommendations for gold exploration at the Birthday prospect and in areas with similar regolith are: 1) at the prospect scale, maximum calcrete sampling at 200 x 200 m spacing with follow-up calcrete sampling, or auger drilling at 50 x 50 m spacing from surface to 1 or (preferably) to 2 m or more (combining the cuttings); 2) calcrete nodules to be analysed for pathfinder elements, since their signatures may be retained within the upper regolith and may be broader or more contrasting; 3) limited deep drilling (<5 holes, to RAB blade refusal) in areas with strong Au-in-calcrete maxima, particularly if there are concomitant maxima associated with anomalies derived from shallow auger drilling; and 4) use of regolith-landform mapping and regolith stratigraphy to assist with interpretation of the geochemical results.