Dive Shop 03 5985 1700

Service Centre 03 5985 5440

• Home
• Online Dive Shop
• Shop Advice
• Service & Repairs
• Dive Trips
• Dive Courses
• Dive Resources
  • Diving and Coronavirus
  • Scuba Diving Safety
  • Melbourne Dive Sites
    • Melbourne Pier Dives
    • Melbourne Shore Dives
    • Melbourne Wreck Dives
    • ex HMAS Canberra Wreck Dive
    • Victorian Ships Graveyard Wreck Dives
    • J Class Submarine Wreck Dives
    • Port Phillip Heads Shipwreck Dives
    • Port Phillip Wreck Dives
    • Phillip Island Wreck Dives
    • Victoria Wreck Dives
    • Melbourne Boat Dives
    • Melbourne Bommie Dives
    • Melbourne Drift Dives
    • Melbourne Reef Dives
    • Melbourne Wall Dives
    • Melbourne Cray Dives
    • Melbourne Abalone Dives
    • Melbourne Scallop Dives
    • Melbourne Other Dives
    • Melbourne Dive Sites Map
    • Melbourne Dive Site GPS Marks
    • Recent Dive Sites
    • Diving in Melbourne Currents
    • Diving the Back Beaches
    • Victorian Shipwreck Protected Zones
    • Phillip Island Dives
    • Wilsons Promontory Dives
    • Dive Sites Index
    • Dive Site Help
  • Snorkelling in Melbourne
  • Victorian Marine Protected Areas
  • Great Southern Reef
  • Giant Spider Crabs Melbourne
  • Weedy Seadragons Melbourne
  • Facebook for Melbourne Divers
  • Diving Articles
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Scuba Diving Downloads
  • Dive Links
  • Melbourne Web Cams
  • Melbourne Boat Launching Ramps
  • Scuba Diving Glossary
  • Dive Forums
• About Us
• Contact Us

Port Phillip Heads Shipwreck Dives

Shipwrecks To Dive At The Entrance to Victoria's Port Phillip

Victoria's Port Phillip Heads have been extremely hazardous for ships, from the first recorded shipwreck in 1840 until the present. The treacherous currents, hidden reefs and narrow channels of Port Phillip Heads have contributed to the demise of over 200 vessels of all types, ranging from small coastal schooners to large iron steamers. The wrecks of Point Lonsdale, Point Nepean and the Back Beaches, are frequented regularly by Melbourne divers by boat and from the shore.

The best reference book on diving the Port Phillip Heads wrecks is:
"Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads"
Authors: Stan Bugg and Bob Wealthy
Published: 1995 by Oceans Enterprises
ISBN: 9780958665773

This book is a comprehensive scuba diver's guide to locating the wreck sites, and a description of what remains will be found.

For the non-diver, the accounts of each ship's history, and the circumstances of her sinking, are a fascinating insight into our turbulent maritime history.

Australia RMS		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.072′ S   (38.3012° S / 38° 18′ 4.32″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.582′ E   (144.643033° E / 144° 38′ 34.92″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-23 01:21:47 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Corsair Rock, 179 m, bearing 304°, NW
Steam ship, 3700 ton. Built: 1892. Sunk: 20 July 1904. Depth: 5 to 8 m. Dive only on: SWE.
See the Australia RMS dive site page

Black Boy		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.735′ S   (38.295583° S / 38° 17′ 44.1″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.978′ E   (144.6163° E / 144° 36′ 58.68″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-01 02:30:31 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Holyhead, 104 m, bearing 290°, WNW
Iron screw steamer tug, 66 ton. Built: Greenock, Scotland, 1857. Sunk: 8 July 1883. Depth: 3 to 10 m. Dive only on: SWE, Ebb.
See the Black Boy dive site page

Campbell		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.000′ S   (38.3° S / 38° 18′ S) Longitude: 144° 38.400′ E   (144.64° E / 144° 38′ 24″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2020-05-17 05:28:26 GMT, Last updated: 2020-05-17 06:12:13 GMT Source: Australian National Shipwreck Database
Nearest Neighbour: Trimix Corner, 82 m, bearing 241°, WSW
Steamer, 135 ton. Sunk: 13 June 1914. Depth: 3 to 9 m.
See the Campbell dive site page

SS Cheviot		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.840′ S   (38.314° S / 38° 18′ 50.4″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.850′ E   (144.664167° E / 144° 39′ 51″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-05 05:41:17 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Petriana, 838 m, bearing 297°, WNW
Passenger steamer, 1226 ton. Sunk: 19 October 1887. Depth: 0 to 7 m.
See the SS Cheviot dive site page

Clarence		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 12.154′ S   (38.20257° S / 38° 12′ 9.25″ S) Longitude: 144° 43.395′ E   (144.723253° E / 144° 43′ 23.71″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-03 04:59:41 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Foig a Ballagh, 551 m, bearing 174°, S
Historic shipwreck protected zone. Permit Required. Wooden schooner. Built: Williams River, NSW, 1841. Sunk: 2 September 1850. Depth: 5 m.
See the Clarence dive site page

Conside		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.809′ S   (38.296817° S / 38° 17′ 48.54″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.967′ E   (144.616117° E / 144° 36′ 58.02″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-03 06:03:51 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Black Boy, 138 m, bearing 6°, N
Steamship, 368 ton. Built: South Shields, England, 1848. Sunk: 14 September 1852. Depth: 5 m. Dive only on: SWE, Ebb.
See the Conside dive site page

Craigburn		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 23.672′ S   (38.394533° S / 38° 23′ 40.32″ S) Longitude: 144° 47.150′ E   (144.785833° E / 144° 47′ 9″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-29 22:26:55 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Number Sixteen, 373 m, bearing 58°, ENE
Iron Sailing Barque, 2065 ton. Built: Glasgow, Scotland, 1884. Sunk: 8 May 1891. Depth: 6 to 8 m.
See the Craigburn dive site page

Eliza Ramsden		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.630′ S   (38.293833° S / 38° 17′ 37.8″ S) Longitude: 144° 40.435′ E   (144.673917° E / 144° 40′ 26.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-10 00:02:53 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Ramsden Reef, 75 m, bearing 48°, NE
Three masted iron barque, 46m, 515 ton. Built: Glasgow, Scotland, 1874. Sunk: 24 July 1875. Depth: 14 to 22 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Eliza Ramsden dive site page

Empress of the Sea		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.050′ S   (38.300833° S / 38° 18′ 3″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.613′ E   (144.660217° E / 144° 39′ 36.78″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2020-05-17 04:55:10 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Nepean Reef, 30 m, bearing 308°, NW
Three masted square rigged wooden clipper, 2200 ton. Built: Boston, Massachusetts, 1853. Sunk: 19 December 1861. Depth: 5 to 7 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE, Flood.
See the Empress of the Sea dive site page

Formosa		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.640′ S   (38.294° S / 38° 17′ 38.4″ S) Longitude: 144° 40.900′ E   (144.681667° E / 144° 40′ 54″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-12 00:54:32 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Goorangai, 457 m, bearing 17°, NNE
Screw Steamer. Built: Rutherglen, Scotland, 1868. Sunk: 5 February 1869. Depth: 9 m.
See the Formosa dive site page

Gambier		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.450′ S   (38.274167° S / 38° 16′ 27″ S) Longitude: 144° 40.500′ E   (144.675° E / 144° 40′ 30″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-12 01:02:34 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Sponge Garden Drift, 775 m, bearing 262°, W
Iron steamship passenger vessel. Built: Dumbarton, Scotland, 1874. Sunk: 28 August 1891. Depth: 14 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Gambier dive site page

Gange		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.730′ S   (38.2955° S / 38° 17′ 43.8″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.895′ E   (144.614917° E / 144° 36′ 53.7″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-23 01:16:46 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Holyhead, 36 m, bearing 39°, NE
Iron barque, 1071 ton. Built: Lussinpiccolo, Austria, 1885. SunK: 23 July 1887. Depth: 5 to 8 m. Dive only on: SWE, Ebb.
See the Gange dive site page

George Roper		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.700′ S   (38.295° S / 38° 17′ 42″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.901′ E   (144.615017° E / 144° 36′ 54.06″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-01 02:29:13 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Holyhead, 31 m, bearing 152°, SSE
Four masted iron barque, 2033 ton. Built: Liverpool, England, 1882. Dive only on: SWE, Ebb. Sunk: 4 July 1883. Depth: 4 to 6 m.
See the George Roper dive site page

Glaneuse		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.590′ S   (38.293167° S / 38° 17′ 35.4″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.750′ E   (144.6125° E / 144° 36′ 45″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-01 02:28:09 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Buckleys Cave, 146 m, bearing 69°, ENE
Iron Barque.
See the Glaneuse dive site page

Goorangai		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.404′ S   (38.290067° S / 38° 17′ 24.24″ S) Longitude: 144° 40.992′ E   (144.6832° E / 144° 40′ 59.52″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-04-27 05:03:36 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Formosa, 457 m, bearing 197°, SSW
ex HMAS Goorangai, Steam driven minesweeper. Built: Newcastle, NSW, 1919. Sunk: 20 November 1940. Depth: 13 to 15 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Goorangai dive site page

Holyhead		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.715′ S   (38.29525° S / 38° 17′ 42.9″ S) Longitude: 144° 36.911′ E   (144.615183° E / 144° 36′ 54.66″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-01 02:31:40 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: George Roper, 31 m, bearing 332°, NNW
Four masted iron barque, 2237 ton. Built: Liverpool, England, 1889. Sunk: 12 February 1890. Depth: 6 to 10 m. Dive only on: SWE, Ebb.
See the Holyhead dive site page

Hurricane		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 20.463′ S   (38.34105° S / 38° 20′ 27.78″ S) Longitude: 144° 52.308′ E   (144.8718° E / 144° 52′ 18.48″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-05-10 02:32:50 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Rosebud Reef, 1,572 m, bearing 109°, ESE
Three masted iron clipper, 1200 ton. Built: Glasgow, Scotland, 1853. Sunk: 22 April 1869. Depth: 8 to 12 m.
See the Hurricane dive site page

Isabella Watson		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.002′ S   (38.300033° S / 38° 18′ 0.12″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.785′ E   (144.646417° E / 144° 38′ 47.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-23 03:33:30 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Time, 128 m, bearing 277°, W
Wooden ship, 514 ton. Sunk: 21 September 1852. Depth: 4 m.
See the Isabella Watson dive site page

Joanna		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 12.478′ S   (38.20796° S / 38° 12′ 28.66″ S) Longitude: 144° 43.806′ E   (144.730102° E / 144° 43′ 48.37″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-03 05:00:13 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Foig a Ballagh, 550 m, bearing 275°, W
Historic shipwreck protected zone. Permit Required. Wooden sailing schooner. Built: Rye, Victoria, 1856. Sunk: 9 July 1857. Depth: 4 to 7 m.
See the Joanna dive site page

Lady Cheryl		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.936′ S   (38.298933° S / 38° 17′ 56.16″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.235′ E   (144.653917° E / 144° 39′ 14.1″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2020-05-17 04:55:11 GMT Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: Nepean Reef, 561 m, bearing 110°, ESE
Fishing vessel. Sunk: 23 March 2012. Depth: 6 to 14 m.
See the Lady Cheryl dive site page

Light of the Age		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 17.308′ S   (38.288467° S / 38° 17′ 18.48″ S) Longitude: 144° 35.642′ E   (144.594033° E / 144° 35′ 38.52″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-02-26 01:27:28 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Golden Arch, 987 m, bearing 183°, S
Wooden sailing vessel. Sunk: 16 January 1868. Depth: 4 to 6 m.
See the Light of the Age dive site page

Mountain Maid		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 14.280′ S   (38.238° S / 38° 14′ 16.8″ S) Longitude: 144° 42.500′ E   (144.708333° E / 144° 42′ 30″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-06 17:50:16 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Boarfish Reef Drift, 287 m, bearing 155°, SSE
Wooden hulled 2 masted Brigantine. Built: Dundee, 1841. Sunk: 24 September 1856. Depth: 5 to 8 m.
See the Mountain Maid dive site page

Petriana		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.630′ S   (38.3105° S / 38° 18′ 37.8″ S) Longitude: 144° 39.340′ E   (144.655667° E / 144° 39′ 20.4″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2020-05-17 04:55:11 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Nepean Bay Inner West, 709 m, bearing 1°, N
Ship, 1821 ton. Sunk: 28 November 1903. Depth: 3 to 6 m.
See the Petriana dive site page

Portsea Hole Wreck		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.666′ S   (38.3111° S / 38° 18′ 39.96″ S) Longitude: 144° 42.641′ E   (144.710683° E / 144° 42′ 38.46″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2020-05-17 08:02:53 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Portsea Hole, 36 m, bearing 156°, SSE
Fishing boat, 13m. Depth: 25 to 27 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the Portsea Hole Wreck dive site page

Sierra Nevada		Shore access
Latitude: 38° 19.790′ S   (38.329833° S / 38° 19′ 47.4″ S) Longitude: 144° 41.250′ E   (144.6875° E / 144° 41′ 15″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-02 06:49:42 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Norwester, 278 m, bearing 106°, ESE
Iron hulled, two deck, three masted ship, 1523 ton. Built: Southampton, England, 1877. Sunk: 9 May 1900. Depth: 3 to 7 m.
See the Sierra Nevada dive site page

Time		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 17.993′ S   (38.299883° S / 38° 17′ 59.58″ S) Longitude: 144° 38.698′ E   (144.644967° E / 144° 38′ 41.88″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2020-05-17 05:48:13 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Isabella Watson, 128 m, bearing 97°, E
Steamer, 3316 ton. Sunk: 27 August 1949. Depth: 5 to 8 m.
See the Time dive site page

Wauchope		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 19.598′ S   (38.326633° S / 38° 19′ 35.88″ S) Longitude: 144° 44.792′ E   (144.746533° E / 144° 44′ 47.52″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-22 14:23:26 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Sorrento Boat Moorings, 822 m, bearing 194°, SSW
SS Wauchope, Wooden steamship, 269 ton. Sunk: 1 August 1919. Depth: 0 to 4 m.
See the Wauchope dive site page

Wyrallah		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 18.130′ S   (38.302167° S / 38° 18′ 7.8″ S) Longitude: 144° 37.930′ E   (144.632167° E / 144° 37′ 55.8″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-03-23 02:23:10 GMT Source: Book - Shipwrecks Around Port Phillip Heads GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: Rip Bank, 367 m, bearing 96°, E
Steel hull, 206 ton. Depth: 13 m.
See the Wyrallah dive site page

Will O the Wisp		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 14.490′ S   (38.241498° S / 38° 14′ 29.39″ S) Longitude: 144° 42.070′ E   (144.701159° E / 144° 42′ 4.17″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-03 05:28:30 GMT Source: Victorian Government GPS (verified)
Nearest Neighbour: J3 Swan Island Submarine, 288 m, bearing 165°, SSE
Historic shipwreck protected zone. Permit Required. Clipper Sailing Schooner. Built: Liverpool, England, 1840. Sunk: 8 October 1853. Depth: 3 m.
See the Will O the Wisp dive site page

William Salthouse		Boat access
Latitude: 38° 16.334′ S   (38.272233° S / 38° 16′ 20.04″ S) Longitude: 144° 42.387′ E   (144.70645° E / 144° 42′ 23.22″ E)
Datum: WGS84	Google Map
Added: 2012-07-22 01:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2019-06-03 05:00:49 GMT Source: Packo GPS 2013
Nearest Neighbour: Popes Eye Anchor Farm, 798 m, bearing 239°, WSW
Historic shipwreck protected zone. Permit Required. Three masted, brig trading ship, 251 ton. Sunk: 27 November 1841. Depth: 8 to 12 m. Dive only on: SWF, SWE.
See the William Salthouse dive site page

---

DISCLAIMER: No claim is made by The Scuba Doctor as to the accuracy of the dive site coordinates listed here. Should anyone decide to use these GPS marks to locate and dive on a site, they do so entirely at their own risk. Always verify against other sources.

The marks come from numerous sources including commercial operators, independent dive clubs, reference works, and active divers. Some are known to be accurate, while others may not be. Some GPS marks may even have come from maps using the AGD66 datum, and thus may need be converted to the WGS84 datum. To distinguish between the possible accuracy of the dive site marks, we've tried to give each mark a source of GPS, Google Earth, or unknown.

If you don't understand the differences between the different ways coordinates are given, plus how different datum come into play, you might find the article GPS Conversions by Lloyd Borrett a useful read. It describes the problems associated with locating dive sites using a GPS receiver.

---

Scuba Doctor Dive Map KML File

In the true spirit of making it easy to obtain, utilise and share the information for non-commercial purposes, you can now Download/view the Scuba Doctor Dive Map GPS Marks (KML file | 254.47 KB | 17-May-2020) in the Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth and Google Maps.

Some marine GPS units can import the information from a KML file. For others you can use use a file translate program (e.g. GPSBabel) to convert the KML file into an import file format (e.g. GPX) supported by your GPS unit.

---

Please Help Us To Correct GPS Marks and Add More Melbourne Dive Sites

If you have have information about other dive sites you'd be happy to see added to the information available here, or any corrections and/or updates to the diving site GPS marks listed here, please feel free to Contact Us. See also, Dive Site Help.

Copyright in photographs and other materials used here remains with their artists and authors. We are happy to acknowledge appropriate copyrights should they be made known to us.