CETACEA (1992)
Seventeen Seventy (1770), Queensland
Fishing trawler
WARNING: Wrecks should not be penetrated without proper training & equipment!
NOTE: All wrecks and related artifacts older than 75 years in Australian waters are protected by the Australian Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. Nothing can be taken!
INFORMATION
In 1992, Cetacea, a 13 metre (43’) fishing trawler, sank while fishing near the Capricorn-Bunker Islands around 11 kilometres (7 mi) off the coast from the quaintly named town of Seventeen Seventy (1770).
The town’s name was officially adopted in 1970, the bicentenary of Captain Cook’s first landing in Queensland in 1770.
Cetacea is laying upright on its keel, on sand in 32 metres (105’) of water. The top of the wreck is 20 metres (60’) deep.
The wreck site is absolutely teeming with fish!
Numerous estuary cod and Queensland groper are among the many fish species that have made the hulk their home.
The wreck is regularly visited by large bull rays, leopard rays and schools of cobia.
Cetacea is regarded as one of Queensland’s best wrecks and a chance to dive the Cetacea should not be missed.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Advanced Diver (Supervised Open Water Diver)
Snorkelling:
Too deep for snorkelling but freediving allowed
Access:
Boat only (60 minutes)
Depth:
12 – 32 metres (40-85’)
Visibility:
8 – 25 metres (25-100’)
Water temperature:
20 – 29°C (68-84°F)
Seasonal:
No, but May & September best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Boult Reef, Heron Reef, Lament Reef, Llewellen Reef & many more.
2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.
DIVE SERVICES
TURTLE TOWN SCUBA
Shop 2, 3B Walker Street
Bundaberg QLD 4557
+61 (0) 419 292 398
info@turtletownscuba.com.au
www.turtletownscuba.com.au
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Queensland
Nearest City:
Brisbane
Nearest Regional City:
Gladstone/Bundaberg
Nearest Town:
1770
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Brisbane
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Gladstone/Bundaberg
Road:
Brisbane to 1770:
5.5 hours (490 km/300 mi) via National Highway A1 (M1 & Bruce Hwy)
Bus:
From Brisbane
Train:
From Brisbane
