Meet the site
The Althea 2 is a steel fishing trawler that sank in 1991 and now sits alone on sand in 41 m of water, roughly halfway between Bundaberg and the northern tip of K'gari. It is the deepest and most remote wreck in the Bundaberg list, and for that reason one of the least dived.
Marinelife.org.au reports that the hull and superstructure are still intact – unusual for a small wreck after three decades – and that the wreck's isolation on bare sand makes it an oasis for big fish. Giant trevally, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, kingfish and queenfish hunt over it; leopard sharks, wobbegongs and stingrays rest on and beside it; moray eels and lionfish live in the structure. On a good day, with 10 m or more visibility, the wreck is surrounded by fish from the sand to the top of the wheelhouse.
Depth is the defining factor. With the sand at 41 m and the top of the wreck in the mid-30s, bottom time on air is very short and narcosis is significant. This is a dive for experienced deep divers with appropriate gas planning – ideally technical divers using trimix or at least a conservative nitrox and decompression plan – and it needs a capable boat, a long weather window and someone topside.
There is no regular operator and little published information beyond the marinelife.org.au summary and GPS mark. It is included here for completeness: for most divers the ex-HMAS Tobruk, which lies in the same stretch of water at 11-28 m and is serviced by several operators, is the practical big-wreck dive in this area.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Althea 2 Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Bundaberg & Agnes Water. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Althea 2 Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Althea 2 Wreck through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Giant trevally, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, kingfish, queenfish, leopard sharks, wobbegongs, stingrays, moray eels, lionfish
Location
Intact steel fishing trawler sunk in 1991 in 41 m on open sand between Bundaberg and the northern tip of K'gari (Fraser Island).
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
