The world's first diver-built artificial reef, Curtin Artificial Reef sits on the sheltered inner side of Moreton Island in Moreton Bay, ~30 km east of Brisbane. Created in 1968 by the Underwater Research Group of Queensland, it features over 25 purposely sunken vessels — including tugboats, barges, a ferry, a drydock gate, and even an old Brisbane tram — scattered across a 400 m × 120 m area in depths of 12–30 m. The wrecks are now encrusted with hard and soft corals, black coral trees, gorgonians, and sponges, attracting hundreds of fish species. Famous for its resident Queensland grouper that often follow divers from wreck to wreck, this site offers a unique underwater museum and a thriving marine ecosystem all in one.
Curtin Artificial Reef
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Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 4.3 sWind Speed 0.5 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
The site is extremely tidal with strong currents between high and low tides, making drift diving common outside slack water.
Moderate risk: Stinging hydroids
Stinging hydroids decorate many of the vessels and can cause skin irritation; wearing gloves is strongly recommended.
Low risk: Discarded fishing tackle
The area is very popular with fishermen, so discarded line, hooks, and other fishing tackle are frequently encountered on the wrecks.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Visibility typically around 10 m but can drop to as low as 6 m, especially after northerly winds or heavy rain.
Low risk: Depth range (12–30 m)
Depths extend to 30 m, requiring appropriate dive qualification, and shifting sands can alter wreck orientation and access over time.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Curtin Artificial Reef is located on the inner side of Moreton Island, approximately 30 km east of Brisbane in Moreton Bay. The site is only accessible by boat. Charter operators such as Brisbane Scuba run trips from Manly (Brisbane's harbour-side suburb). By road, Manly is about a 20-minute drive east of Brisbane's CBD.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at the Manly Boat Harbour precinct, near the public boat ramps and the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Street parking and paid lots are available in the Manly area.
parkingtoiletsboat_ramp
Access to the reef itself is free, but you must arrange a boat charter (typically $130–$180 per person for a 2-tank dive trip, including gear) or have your own vessel.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports