Meet the site
The Bulwer Wrecks are three steamers deliberately sunk off the beach at Bulwer, on the north-western corner of Moreton Island, to form a small-boat harbour. The Hopewell, a 337-ton steamer formerly owned by the Maryborough timber merchants Hyne & Son, was scuttled on 8 May 1933, and the 716-ton Mount Kembla followed two days later. The 646-ton Kallatina, a passenger and cargo ship that had run to the Gulf of Carpentaria, was added in September 1935. marinelife.org.au lists the three as the Kallatina (179 ft, built 1890), the Mount Kembla (180 ft, built 1885) and the Hopewell (145 ft, built 1900). The scheme was never entirely successful: in a storm in July 1938 the 35 ft motor launch Achilles struck the half-sunken Mount Kembla and sank within 15 minutes, although all 12 crew were rescued. Today the rusting hulls sit in shallow water a short swim from the beach, partly exposed at low tide, and they are one of Moreton Island's best-known snorkelling spots after the Tangalooma Wrecks. The attraction is the combination of history and marine life in water only a few metres deep. Plates and frames are coated in oysters, sponges and algae, and the wrecks shelter schools of baitfish, bream, trevally and other bay fish, with wobbegongs and small rays on the sand and occasional turtles and dolphins in the area. For scuba divers there is little depth, but the site works as a relaxed shallow dive or a snorkel on a camping trip to northern Moreton. It suits families and snorkellers who are confident with some current.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Bulwer Wrecks is recorded as Wreck in Brisbane & Moreton Bay. The listed access is shore or 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.
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 Bulwer Wrecks suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Bulwer Wrecks 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
Baitfish schools, bream, trevally, wobbegongs, small rays, turtles (occasional), dolphins in the area, oysters and sponges on the hulls
Location
Three steamers scuttled in 1933-1935 as a breakwater for small boats at Bulwer, on the north-western beach of Moreton Island.
Facilities nearby
Bulwer has a small general store and cafe; camping grounds nearby (QPWS); no dive facilities on the island except at Tangalooma Resort.
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
en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgmarinelife.org.aumoretonislandaccommodationservices.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.