Meet the site
Curtin Artificial Reef is one of Brisbane's best and busiest dives, and the world's first diver-built artificial reef. The Underwater Research Group of Queensland began it in 1968 by sinking an old dredging barge off the western side of Moreton Island, and over the next 30 years the club added more than 25 vessels. Today it covers roughly 400 x 120 m and holds over 30 shipwrecks – tugs, barges, whale chasers, a ferry, a trading vessel and a yacht – along with a Brisbane tram, car bodies, concrete pipes, steel pontoons, buoys and tyres, in depths from 12 to 30 m. It is named after Frank Curtin, a key figure in the project. The major wrecks include the 40 m coastal trader Lady Norman, the largest vessel, sitting about 50 m west of the others; the 35 m tug Melbourne near the centre; the 32 m coal and gravel barge Barrambin; the 50 m coal barge Bremer; the tug Loevenstein; the gravel barge Estrella del Mar; the Amsterdam barge; and the Cairncross drydock gate. Several wrecks can be penetrated by trained divers. The fish life is the reason Curtin is famous. Dozens of Queensland groupers live on the reef, typically 1-2 m long and occasionally up to 3 m, alongside barracuda, giant trevally, yellowtail kingfish, cobia, goldspotted grouper, turtles and stingrays. The hulls support butterflyfish, angelfish, sweetlips, Moorish idols, lionfish and blennies, while painted frogfish, ornate ghostpipefish, blackspot waspfish and leaf scorpionfish reward macro hunters. Nudibranchs, octopus, squid and spiny lobster are common. Because it is tidal, the dive is planned around the high-tide slack, and even then there is more to see than one visit allows. It suits everyone from supervised open-water divers on the shallower wrecks to wreck-trained divers exploring interiors.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Curtin Artificial Reef is recorded as Artificial Reef in Brisbane & Moreton Bay. 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.
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.
- 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 Curtin 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 Curtin 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
Queensland groupers (1-3 m), giant trevally, yellowtail kingfish, cobia, barracuda, goldspotted grouper, turtles, stingrays, wobbegongs, sweetlips, Moorish idols, lionfish, painted frogfish, ornate ghostpipefish, blackspot waspfish, leaf scorpionfish, stonefish, nudibranchs, octopus, spiny lobster
Location
Diver-built artificial reef of more than 30 scuttled vessels and other structures off the western side of Moreton Island, north of Cowan Cowan, covering about 400 x 120 m.
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Manly Boat Harbour or Scarborough.
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
divernet.commarinelife.org.ausupercatcharters.com.auunidive.orgnigelmarshphotography.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.