The wreck of the SS Yongala in Australia is widely acknowledged to be one of the worlds best dive sites, and has long been a mecca for fans of wreck diving. Every year, large numbers of scuba divers come to this part of Australia, purely to sample what many consider to be of the finest examples of wreck diving to be found anywhere in the world.

The SS Yongala sank in a cyclone on the 24th March 1911, as she was heading on her usual route up the Queensland coast to Cairns. Undiscovered and undisturbed for over half a century, the wreck of the SS Yongala has gradually become home to a wide variety of marine life, including Giant Groupers, large schools of Trevally, and numerous different types of sea snakes, turtles and rays.

The Yongala shipwreck is located approximately 8 miles off Cape Bowling Green, and now lies in between 15-30 metres of water. Several dive operators from both Townsville and Airlie Beach offer trips out to the Yongala on a daily basis, and they will also be able to assist you in obtaining the mandatory permits for diving in the protected zone.

Upon arrival at the Yongala shipwreck, the dive boats attach themselves to the permanent mooring lines coming off each end of the hull, and your dive begins with a slow descent down the line until the hull comes into view. From this point, the true beauty of the Yongala really comes into play, and it is here that divers begin to see why people rate this dive site so highly. Large amounts of soft and hard corals have gradually made their home on the wreck of the Yongala, and a huge variety of marine growth has slowly taken over the hull, making the Yongala highly popular amongst fans of the macro.

What really makes the Yongala stand out though, is the marine life that surrounds it, in particular the size of everything, which seems to be far larger than anywhere else. Huge Groupers and Bull Rays are particularly notable at the wreck, and when you add to this the large numbers of Batfish, Trevally and sea snakes, it is easy to see why the Yongala wreck has a special place amongst the hearts of scuba divers.

Debate will always rage amongst scuba divers, as to which are the worlds best dive sites, and undoubtedly it is a subjective issue. However, the Yongala shipwreck consistently delivers exceptional diving experiences, and leaves the vast majority of scuba divers eager to return.