Meet the site
Cochrane Artificial Reef is Bundaberg's most popular boat dive and the local answer to the lack of natural offshore reef along this coast. Built up progressively since the early 1990s within the Woongarra Marine Park, it covers an area of roughly 400 by 800 m on sand about 3 nautical miles offshore, with most structures sitting in 15-18 m.
The reef is a collection of separate targets rather than one site. Marinelife.org.au and Tourism Queensland list the Porteur 77 gravel barge (about 40 m), a 50 m dredge, the 50 m Ceratodus II, two Mohawk aircraft and a King Air, two light ships, a barge, a landing craft, a water tank, the ex-trawler Nirvana and concrete maze structures. GoodDive dates the Ceratodus II to 1992, the Mohawks to 1996, 'The Barge' to 1999 and the light ships to 2000. The structures are now well encrusted with sponges, soft corals and algae.
Marinelife.org.au records more than 140 fish species here. Tourism Queensland highlights friendly estuary cod and a resident Queensland groper family; divers also see big schools of baitfish, barracuda and tuna over the higher structures, turtles, stingrays, wobbegongs and leopard sharks, and manta rays pass through in winter. The aircraft are particularly popular: sitting upright on the sand, they are small enough to see in full and make striking photographs when visibility allows.
The reef is also a popular fishing ground, so discarded line is a constant – carry a knife and keep clear of lines if anglers are present. Some older structures are deteriorating and should not be entered. Visibility is the main variable: 8-12 m on an average day, less after rain.
Cochrane suits Open Water divers wanting their first wrecks, photographers, and anyone who enjoys big resident fish. Individual structures are listed separately in this database.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cochrane Artificial Reef is recorded as Artificial Reef 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cochrane Artificial Reef suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. 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 Cochrane Artificial Reef 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
Estuary cod, Queensland groper family, 140+ fish species, baitfish schools, barracuda, tuna, turtles, stingrays, wobbegongs, leopard sharks, manta rays (winter), sponges and soft corals
Location
A 400 x 800 m field of deliberately sunk vessels, aircraft and concrete structures about 3 nm off the Woongarra coast east of Bargara, inside Woongarra Marine Park waters.
Facilities nearby
Departure: Burnett Heads boat ramp (parking, toilets, fish-cleaning tables); shop, hire and fills at Bundaberg Aqua Scuba
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.auqueensland.comgooddive.comnigelmarshphotography.comdiveplanit.comunderwater.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.