SS ALBERTA (1890)
Tweed Heads, New South Wales
Steel screw steamer
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1888, Newcastle, England
Sank:
1890, ran aground
Length:
103.6 metres (340’)
Beam:
12.9 metres (42’)
Displacement:
2,214 tons
Speed:
12 knots
Crew:
36
Passengers:
Nil
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
During her voyage, carrying 3,700 ton of coal from Japan to Melbourne, Alberta struck reef off Sutherland Heads in heavy seas and bushfire smoke haze just off Tweed Heads.
Alberta was rapidly taking on water when the 36 crew safely abandoned ship in three boats.
Her cargo could not be salvaged and she now lays on sand surrounded by reef just in around 18 metres (60’).
Pilot error was blamed for the accident and the pilot was suspended for six months.
Her anchor retrieved is on display at Point Danger and other artifacts can be seen in the Tweed Regional Museum.
After years of pounding by the seas, Alberta’s hull has collapsed but there are still significant structural remnants and her large boilers, sitting on the sand, are a highlight.
The marine life on the wreck site is plentiful and the wreck structure provides home for numerous wobbegong sharks.
Special thanks to Rudi &Ella from Kirra Dive.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Open Water
Snorkelling:
No too deep
Access:
Boat only (30 minutes)
Depth:
5 – 16 metres (15-50’)
Visibility:
10 – 20 metres (30-60’)
Water temperature:
18 – 28°C (65-80°F)
Seasonal:
No, can be visited anytime
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Nine Mile Reef, Cook Island and 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
KIRRA DIVE “onthetweed”
Unit1/133 Wharf Street
Tweed Heads NSW 2485
+61 (7) 5536 6622
dive@kirradive.com
www.kirradive.com
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
New South Wales
Nearest City:
Brisbane
Nearest Regional City:
Tweed Heads
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Brisbane
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Gold Coast
Road:
Brisbane to Tweed Heads:
1.5 hours (100 km/60 mi) via M1
Bus:
From Brisbane
Train:
From Brisbane
