CURTAIN ARTIFICIAL REEF (1968-1998)
Moreton Island, Queensland
A sunken potpourri 30 years in the making!
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 1968, the Underwater Research Group of Queensland embarked on a visionary project, the Curtin Artificial Reef.
The project was named after the late Frank Curtin who had the insight for what, in its day, was an extraordinary concept.
There are over 30 wrecks in an area over 40,000 square metres (10 ac)!
The first vessel prepared and scuttled on the sandy bottom was the Amsterdam, an 18 metre (60’) barge.
The sunken potpourri includes tugs, barges, a yacht, a car ferry, over 2000 concrete pipes, over 60 car bodies, navigation buoys, a dry dock gate and an even an old Brisbane tram.
The largest vessel is the Bremer (50m/164‘) and the last vessel to be scuttled was the tug, Hustler, in 1998.
Curtin Artificial Reef boasts an extraordinary array of marine life.
Structures are now substrate for corals and other invertebrates including nudibranchs, sea stars and sea urchins.
The broken bottom attracts huge schools of fish, massive Queensland groper, colourful tropical reef fish, and a keen eye may also spot pipefish and sea horses.
Curtin Artificial Reef is one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE
Special thanks to Steve Rosberg from Brisbane Scuba.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Open Water (Advanced recommended)
Snorkelling:
Too deep for snorkelling but freediving allowed
Access:
Boat only (60 minutes)
Depth:
12 -35 metres(40-115’)
Visibility:
8 – 25 metres (25-80’)
Water temperature:
20 – 26°C (68-79°F)
Seasonal:
No, can visit anytime
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Flinders Reef, Ex-HMAS Brisbane, Curtin Artificial Reef, Cherubs Cave, Manta Bommie and Tangalooma Wrecks.
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
BRISBANE SCUBA
Shed 5/578 Royal Esplanade
Manly QLD 4179
+61 (0) 418 736 738
info@brisbanescuba.au
www.brisbanescuba.au
SPECIAL OFFER: $25 Boat Dive Voucher
To redeem: Email info@brisbanescuba.au & quote 50 Great Dives
SUBSURFACE SCUBA
In front of Pier 33
Mooloolaba Marina
33-45 Parkyn Parade
Mooloolaba QLD 4557
+61 (7) 5493 9097
dive@subsurfacescuba.com
www.subsurfacescuba.com
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Queensland
Nearest City:
Brisbane
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Brisbane
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Brisbane
