Meet the site
The Cumberland is one of the oldest wreck sites on the South West coast. Marinelife.org.au describes a 444-ton wooden colonial trader, on passage from Newcastle, New South Wales, to Fremantle, that was lost on a sandbank south of Cape Hamelin with no loss of life. Divers found the wreck in 1981. An anchor, a cannon and timbers remain, but the weedy bottom makes the relics hard to see, and material recovered from the site is displayed in the Augusta museum.
The source lists the vessel with the date 1829; the loss appears to have occurred in the early years of the Swan River Colony (founded 1829), which makes it one of the earliest colonial-era wrecks in Western Australia. The date should be confirmed against the WA Museum shipwreck database before publication.
This is a site for wreck-history enthusiasts with a boat and local knowledge. In 3-8 m of water it is technically easy, but finding the remains in weed requires patience. Like all wrecks older than 75 years it is protected under heritage legislation; nothing should be moved or taken.
Combine it with a visit to the Augusta museum to see what came from the site.
Hamelin Bay was a timber port from the 1880s, when a jetty built in 1882 and extended in 1898 served M. C. Davies' milling operations. It was notorious for wrecks in bad weather because it is exposed to the north-west gales of winter storms; the 22 July 1900 storm alone wrecked several ships, and only the old jetty piles remain today. The bay is now a recreation zone in the Ngari Capes Marine Park, and every wreck in it older than 75 years is protected.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cumberland Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Margaret River & Augusta. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 Cumberland Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Cumberland 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
Weed and kelp, western king wrasse, herring cale, small reef fish
Location
Remains of a 444-ton wooden colonial trader on a sandbank south of Cape Hamelin in 3-8 m, with an anchor, cannon and timbers in weed.
Facilities nearby
Hamelin Bay boat ramp; relics at the Augusta museum.
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 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
