S.S YONGALA HISTORY
Learn about the tragic past of this incredible ship wreck.
Over 100 years ago (one year before the Titanic) the Steam Ship Yongala sank in a cyclone in the Great Barrier Reef marine Park.
It was one of the most tragic maritime disasters in Australia. Now, covered in coral and home to hundreds of species, the Yongala lives on in harmony with the surrounding marine environment.
Located 12 nautical miles from Alva Beach (near Cape Bowling Green) the wreck lies on its starboard side, 14 metres deep on the top and 28 metres on the sand. It is the largest, most intact historic shipwreck in Australian Waters – 109 metres long and home to mega marine life.
Why is this Australia’s most famous wreck dive?
MYSTERY
Research shows that before the Yongala disappeared, it was steaming along at high speed. No life rafts were found, which indicates the loss was sudden. Did the ship take on water and broach? We will never know exactly what happened to the Yongala.
HISTORY
The Yongala sank in a cyclone on 23 March 1911. 122 passengers were lost at sea, and a 7 day search found no trace of the vessel. A Navy vessel identified a possible ‘wreck’ in a mine-sweeping mission in 1947, but it was never followed up.The ship lay undiscovered for almost 50 years, until it was finally positively identified in 1958.
WILdLIFE
You’ll come face to face with a prolific amount of marine life on the Yongala. Giant gropers, enormous marble rays, schools of barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, sea snakes, bull sharks and more call the coral encrusted wreck home, making this a unique dive site and a true ‘bucket-list’ experience.
