YONGALA
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| Type of dive: |
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Wreck |
| Snorkelling: |
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No, too deep but freediving is okay |
| Scuba: |
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Advanced Diver (Supervised Open Water) |
| Access: |
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Boat only (Live aboard & day trips from Townsville or 30 minutes from Alva Beach) |
| Depth: |
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16 – 30 metres (50-100’) |
| Visibility: |
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8 – 25 metres (25-80’) |
| Water temperature: |
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22 – 29°C (72-84°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, but August & September best |
The Yongala is regarded by many as one of the best wreck dives in the world!
Australia’s most famous diver, Valerie Taylor, is reported to have said “If I have one more dive left in my life, it would be the Yongala wreck.”
Built in England for the Adelaide Steamship Company, the luxury passenger ship, SS Yongala, was launched in 1903. On her ninety-ninth voyage from Melbourne to Cairns, she came to grief in a cyclone off Cape Bowling Green near Townsville, North Queensland. She disappeared without trace and sadly, all 122 passengers and crew perished.
She now lies covered in marine life on a sandy bottom listing to starboard (to the right) in a depth of around 30 metres (100’).
The wreck of the Yongala was not discovered by divers until 1958 and it is now one of Australia’s top dive sites, dived by thousands of divers every year.
Yongala is located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is protected by the Commonwealth Historic Wrecks Act.
Although much of the superstructure has collapsed over the years, the now encrusted wreck, offers plenty to see. At the stern, the rudder is obvious and, on the bow, the anchor winch and anchors can be found. Unfortunately, the ‘Yongala’ name on the bow is now encrusted with coral. There are plenty of portholes to spot along the hull and many deck openings, including the engine room, funnel opening and the forward cargo holds, and a careful look inside will reveal porcelain toilets.
Penetration and collecting artefacts are not allowed on the Yongala.
The wreck supports a huge array of tropical marine life, including large schools of fish, turtles, mantra rays, clown fish and inquisitive sea snakes that follow divers searching for food stirred up by fin kicks.
A highlight of the dive is the huge resident giant Queensland groper usually located at the bow.
The site can be subject to current and choppy surface conditions and an advanced diver certificate is recommended. However, most operators will provide guided dives for open water divers.
The Yongala is an absolute must dive!
Special thanks to Paul Crocombe of Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Vessel details:
Type: Luxury Passenger Ship
Launched: Southampton 1903
Sank: 1911 (sank in a cyclone)
Length: 109 metres (358’)
Beam: 14 metres (46’)
Displacement: 3,664 tons
Speed: 15.8 knots
Crew: 73
Passengers: 49
Other great dive sites to visit while you are there:
Museum of Underwater Art, Davies Reef, Wheeler Reef, Orpheus Island,
Lodestone Reef and Myrmidon Reef.
Local dive services:
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ADRENALIN SNORKEL & DIVE |
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YONGALA DIVE |
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PRODIVE MAGNETIC ISLAND |
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SPIRIT OF FREEDOM |
Other services:
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Need somewhere to stay? |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Queensland
Nearest City:
Townsville
Nearest Regional City:
Not applicable
Nearest Town:
Ayr
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Cairns
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Townsville
Road:
Cairns to Townsville:
4 hours (350 km/220 mi) via National Highway A1 and Bruce Highway
Townsville to Alva Beach:
1.5 hours (100 km/60 mi) via National Highway A1
Bus:
From Cairns, Airlie Beach or Brisbane
Train:
From Cairns, Proserpine or Brisbane
Ferry:
Not relevant
THINGS TO DO
Magnetic Island
Fishing
Skydiving
Sea Kayaking
Quad Biking
Aboriginal Tours
Wakeboarding
Rain Forest