Why you need to dive this underwater shipwreck in Queensland

The Ex-HMAS Tobruk is one of the world’s newest wreck diving sites and was officially opened for underwater exploration in late February 2019.

For those who haven’t tried it, wreck diving is a slightly more technical dive that often requires more advanced skills - but it opens up an even more awe-inspiring underwater experience, where vibrant marine life meets interesting history and at times, quirky structures. Swimming passed a toilet overgrown with coral will always make you smile. 

Decommissioned in 2015 after 34 years of service as as the Royal Australian Navy’s first purpose built amphibious heavy lift ship, the ex-HMAS Tobruk was sunk in mid-2018 approximately 17 nautical miles (32 kilometres) off the coast, halfway between Hervey Bay and Bundaberg in the Great Sandy Marine Park.

The shallowest part of the wreck lies in 10.9 metres of water, easily accessed by certified open water divers. More advanced divers will be able to explore the entire wreck, which rests at a depth of 30 metres.

The waters of the Great Sandy Marine Park are warm year-round and protected from rough weather by the nearby K'gari (Fraser Island).

What makes ex-HMAS Tobruk unique?

The ex-HMAS Tobruk is seriously huge - 127 metres in length - meaning it occupies a colossal position on the ocean floor.

Certified wreck divers can swim over 100 metres in one direction inside the ship – no tumble turns required. All areas of the ship, including the troop areas, crew quarters, the tank deck and other sections are waiting to be explored. BYO flashlight to check out all the finer details inside the ship.

If going inside the ship makes you feel claustrophobic, don’t fret. There’s more than enough to see outside the wreck, and it's likely you'll see some of the friendly locals, fins and all. 

What will I see?

There's much more than a mesmerising shipwreck down here, that over time has developed its own reef teeming with coral and molluscs. Descend below and you'll quickly discover a huge variety of marine life – including manta rays, groupers, cod, Spanish mackerel, baracuda, and sharks – call ex-HMAS Tobruk home. Make sure you have your waterproof camera at the ready for your dive.

As breeding turtles have a soft spot for the waters around the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg, our flippered friends are regulars in and around the wreck.

Divers can also expect to see and hear migrating humpback whales as they traverse through the area from May to November.

How can I dive ex-HMAS Tobruk?

Both Bundaberg and Hervey Bay are an easy three to four-hour drive north of Brisbane. Both towns also have airports if you’re looking for a speedier trip or are coming from interstate.

You can book a dive on ex-HMAS Tobruk through one of the few experienced dive operators who hold permits to access the site. Each offer a standard package of two dives over a total trip time of five to six hours.

Hervey Bay departures:

• Hervey Bay Dive Centre

Bundaberg departures:

• Bundaberg Aqua Scuba

Alternatively, experienced divers with their own boat and equipment can access the site by booking a two-hour time slot via the Bundaberg or Fraser Coast websites. 

Note: entry to the area is prohibited without a permit or written approval. This applies to everyone—all vessels, divers and snorkelers.

Where else can I dive in Queensland?

If ex-HMAS Tobruk whets your appetite for more unforgettable Queensland dives, then you’re in luck - our coastline is dotted with many more magical sites to explore.

There’s 13 other wreck dives in Queensland to set your sights on, including the grand-daddy of wreck dives in Australia: the SS Yongala.

The ultimate in diving is undoubtedly liveaboard diving, where you can stay on a boat for multiple days and reach remote and amazing sites, like the northern Great Barrier Reef.

If you’re just starting out in the world of regulators and BCDs, there are numerous places where you can learn to dive in Queensland, including on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.