Visiting the Graveyards

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Overview

South Australia's ships' graveyards are found in a variety of locations and environments. Some vessels lie on muddy banks, in tidal creeks or amongst the mangroves and are accessible to non-divers. Others have been scuttled at sea in depths ranging from shallow coastal waters to approximately 50 metres, south of Kangaroo Island.

Visiting these sites is an interesting and rewarding experience. Many of the exposed wrecks can be approached by land or viewed from a kayak or small boat. Underwater sites generally require dive gear and experience, although a few graveyards also offer snorkelling opportunities.

Regardless of their location, these shipwrecks have become an integral part of their environment and home for a variety of marine life. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy these fragile sites, but should ensure that their visit is both safe and non-intrusive.

Access

• By land - drive or walk
• By water - kayak or small boat
• Underwater - snorkel or dive

The approximately 40 ships' graveyard vessels in the Port Adelaide (1.5Mb PDF) area, as well as those at Port Augusta, Port Pirie and Port Flinders, are mostly exposed on mudflats or amongst the mangroves and easily viewed by non-divers - some by land, others by either kayak or small boat. Some sites also offer snorkelling opportunities when the tides are suitable.

Other graveyard vessels are located at various depths underwater but, with the exception of the Kangaroo Island site, are readily accessible to recreational divers.

By land - drive or walk

The York on Weeroona Island, completely uncovered at low tide

Within the Port Adelaide region, both the Mutton Cove and Jervois Basin sites are accessible by road, with some vessel remains visible at all times. A maritime heritage trail has been installed at the Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard to provide historic information and on-site interpretation for visitors. On Garden Island a small path through the mangroves gives access, at low tide, to some of the vessels within the large group of wrecks abandoned there.

Most of the graveyard vessels currently identified in Port Augusta are accessible by land, particularly the wooden barge north-east of the original Great Western Highway, the unidentified iron remains at the western boat ramp and a wooden barge at the Old Salt Works.

The lighter York (50Kb PDF) at Port Flinders is clearly visible on the beach at Weeroona Island, north of Port Pirie. Although the vessel may be covered at high tide, it is easily visited during low tides.

By water - kayak or small boat

Many of the ships' graveyard sites that are either permanently exposed, or uncovered at low tide, are best viewed from the water.

Glaucus, Garden Island

Within the Port Adelaide region the Garden Island, Broad Creek and Angas Inlet Ships' Graveyards are most successfully viewed by kayak or small boat. Some vessel remains within these graveyards are visible at all times although much more material is exposed at low tide. The Jervois Basin site can also be viewed from the water, but is more appropriately accessed by land. A maritime heritage trail interprets the Garden Island site with 3 on-water signs in the North Arm, adjacent to the main group of wrecks, and 2 signs at the Garden Island boat ramp. The South Australian Maritime Museum's launch, Archie Badenoch, conducts tours to the Garden Island Ships' Graveyard during most school holidays and at other arranged times. Kayak tours of the area also operate from the Garden Island boat ramp (enquire at the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre).

Current knowledge of vessel remains in the waterways of Port Augusta and Port Pirie has resulted largely from information provided by recreational kayakers and small boat operators, who suggest that this is the most practical way to explore these areas.

Underwater - snorkel or dive

The ships' graveyard sites along the metropolitan Adelaide coast (at Glenelg, Port Stanvac, Port Noarlunga and Yankalilla Bay) contain vessels which have been purposely sunk to become artificial reefs, and as such are interesting and easily accessible dive locations. They are within close proximity to suburban boat ramps and regularly visited by recreational dive charters and clubs. The recently sunk Hobart (50Kb PDF), at Yankalilla, is a world class dive site. Access to this shipwreck is restricted and requires a permit or diving with an accredited charter operator.

H A Lumb, Port Noarlunga Photo: Greg Adams

The Eleni K (50Kb PDF) at Goat Island and the Hougomont (50Kb PDF) in Stenhouse Bay offer spectacular dives, while the Ardrossan Barge (50Kb PDF)> and the Bronzewing (200Kb PDF) near Port Lincoln are more widely recognised as fishing hot-spots, but also provide opportunities for divers. The tug Leeton (50Kb PDF) is a well-known dive location near Whyalla, but can only be dived on a dodge tide.

In the North Arm of the Port River, the Santiago (50Kb PDF) and Dorothy H Sterling (50Kb PDF) (part of the Garden Island Ships' Graveyard) offer limited dive and snorkel opportunities, while the York (50Kb PDF) at Port Flinders is an excellent snorkelling experience at high tide.

Local dive shops or clubs will readily provide information about accessing most sites, including local conditions and other information essential for a safe and rewarding dive. Further information about these sites is also available from the Heritage Branch.

See Access Summary Chart (50Kb PDF)

Safety

• On Land
• By Water
• Underwater

On Land

If you decide to investigate some of the wrecks abandoned on mudflats or amongst the mangroves, in areas about Port Adelaide or perhaps Port Augusta or Port Pirie, certain precautions should be taken. Remember that these areas are tidal and that you can easily be trapped by rising waters. The mud is extremely deep in places and proper attire such as wetsuits, waders or heavy boots should be worn. Care should be taken near the vessels as fragments of iron or wood hidden in the silt can easily cause lacerations.

By Water

Kayak or small boat operators need to plan carefully and to be familiar with local conditions such as tides, currents and sandbars. Be sure to carry all appropriate safety equipment, including water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellant. Let others know where you are going and when you plan to return.

Underwater

Diving the Eleni K, Goat Island

There are many unique risks and dangers associated with scuba diving, so it should be undertaken only by trained and experienced divers. All diving should follow standard safe practices, with the 'diver below' flag well visible. Be aware of sudden changes in the weather and the effect of tides and currents. Site conditions will vary - so talk with local divers, dive shops or clubs, who can give the best information to ensure that your dive is safe and rewarding.

Only undertake activities appropriate to your skills and abilities and watch for potential hazards on site. Never dive alone or after consuming alcohol, and be prepared to cancel a dive if conditions become unsafe.

Caring for the Environment

• Coastal
• Marine

Visitors to South Australia's ships' graveyards should remember that these vessels have become an integral part of the marine or coastal environment in which they were abandoned, and should ensure that no damage is caused to these fragile sites.

Deliberate damage, for example by dislodging or removing material, should be avoided. Every effort should also be made to prevent accidental damage, such as that caused by trampling plants or animals along the shoreline, or by bumping into the structure with boats or kayaks or through poor control.

Coastal

Dorothy S amongst the mangroves, Broad Creek

A number of South Australia's ships' graveyards border, or are within, mangrove estuaries. These areas are frequented by dolphins and are habitats and nurseries for many marine creatures. The mangroves also provide shelter for a variety of bird species and give structural support to the shoreline.

A major threat to these eco-systems is the accidental damage caused by visitors stepping on plants or small creatures on the shoreline or colliding with the wrecks in boats or kayaks.

Marine

Submerged wrecks are artificial reefs - significant features in South Australia's diverse marine environment. Any physical impact by divers, snorkellers, boats or anchors seriously affects the delicate balance that exists on these sites.

Caring for the Shipwreck

The Hougomont, now a fragile artificial reef at Stenhouse Bay

Shipwrecks thoughtlessly looted of their artefacts and fittings or accidentally damaged by careless visitors lose both their recreational and historic value.

Some historic shipwrecks are protected by legislation, which prohibits the removal of or damage to these sites.

Anchors can cause serious damage to shipwreck sites. Boat operators should ensure that correct anchoring procedures are used at all locations - refer to the brochure Shipwreck Guidelines 1: Anchoring on Shipwrecks (100Kb PDF).

Divers should practice 'zero impact diving' - avoiding poor buoyancy control and excess finning and ensuring that all equipment, such as cameras and gauges, is secure and not likely to knock against the wreck. Refer to the brochure Shipwreck Guidelines 2: Diving Shipwrecks (100Kb PDF).