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The Wreck of the SS Yongala
By Jeremy Cuff
The wreck of the SS Yongala is one of those iconic dives, often listed as one of the top ten dives in Australia. It features in most guidebooks and literature for divers visiting Queensland on the East coast. Where it should appear in any “top ten” league table depends on your point of view, but one thing cannot be disputed, the SS Yongala is a truly great dive.
The wreck rests on a sandy expanse 28 metres down with shallowest part of the wreck at 14 metres. There’s no reef shelter nearby and the area can be subject to heavy swells if the wind is up. Currents can also be strong and can affect the way you dive the wreck.
The visibility around the wreck is rarely crystal clear, but can vary tremendously. Even from dive to dive, you can expect significantly changed visibility. We experienced visibility of 10-15 metres which is considered good. Anything greater than that is certainly possible, but exceptional. Anything less is bad luck!
Expect to be blown away by the amount of life that has colonised this wreck. You’ll see more species of coral and fish than on most reefs. Everything is in profusion, abundance, or even superabundance. And big, too!
In fact, the marine life is so spectacular that many divers pay little attention to the wreck itself. Back on board, you’ll often hear talk turn to turtles, rays, and oversized groupers instead of the wreck’s many features.
The wreck is festooned with an incredible array of hard and soft corals, and anemones, and is home to huge populations of baitfish which often carpet whole areas of the wreck to the point that it “moves” and “ripples” as you swim over it. These countless hordes provide food for huge numbers of fish such as snappers and batfish, which attracts even bigger predators.
Raiding schools of jacks, gigantic Maori wrasse and groupers rampage over the wreck on feeding sprees, gorging on the almost endless supply of food. Turtles are seen on most dives, and are quite tolerant of divers. In the darker recesses of the wreck, giant Queensland Groupers skulk in the gloom.
Olive sea snakes are common and can be quite inquisitive. It’s been known for these highly venomous, but thankfully passive natured snakes to approach divers and wrap themselves around arms and legs before realising there’s nothing of interest and swimming away.
It’s also worth taking regular looks out into the blue; sharks, barracudas, stingrays and eagle rays sweep past regularly and mantas are sighted on occasions. Even more spectacular sightings can occur; there’s a record from 2006 of a humpback whale which cruised past the wreck whilst divers were in the water.
The wreck is remarkably well preserved considering its age with many features still intact such the engine room, funnel opening and the anchor winch. The letters of the Yongala are barely visible now, and if you want to see them, it’s probably a good idea to ask one of the guides to show you.
The wreck of the Yongala is a magical dive, and one that you could do over and over again. It should feature on any divers “must do” list.
September 2008
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