Meet the site
The ex-HMAS Brisbane is one of Australia's best-known wreck dives. Commissioned in 1967, the Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyer served the Royal Australian Navy for 34 years, including in the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. After decommissioning she was prepared as a dive site – with around 30 access holes cut through her hull and decks and three points of natural light inside – and scuttled on 31 July 2005 about 2.9 nm east of Mudjimba Island. She sank in 2 minutes 10 seconds and landed upright on sand in 27-28 m.
The layout is classic warship. The forward decks lie at about 15 m and the stern at 18 m, with the bridge, masts and funnels rising towards the surface – the top of the funnel is only about 3 m down. QPWS describes a ship eight storeys tall and 133 m long, with the forward engine room, boiler room, gun mount and crew quarters prepared for penetration. The wreck is protected within the Ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park, managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
In March 2025 ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reshaped her. A whole section below the forward funnel detached and now rests upright on the sand beside the port side, creating a gutter that Divernet describes as an instant fish sanctuary. The site was closed while rangers secured the loose structure; operators have since resumed guided dives on an external-only basis, pending a full internal inspection before penetration is allowed again. QPWS currently lists the public mooring and public access as closed (30 June 2026 to 31 January 2027), so check status before planning a private visit.
More than 1000 marine species and over 350 fish species have been recorded. Divers see kingfish schools, Queensland gropers, bull and eagle rays, wedgefish, turtles, lionfish, anglerfish, octopus, nudibranchs, leopard sharks in summer and grey nurse sharks in winter, with humpback whales passing overhead. The external dive suits Open Water divers; the deeper hull suits Advanced divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Ex-HMAS Brisbane is recorded as Wreck in Sunshine Coast. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- 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 Ex-HMAS Brisbane 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 Ex-HMAS Brisbane 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
Yellowtail kingfish schools, Queensland groper, bull rays, eagle rays, shovelnose rays, wedgefish, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, lionfish, scorpionfish, anglerfish, octopus, squid, nudibranchs, clownfish, batfish, sweetlips, snapper, red emperor, leopard sharks (summer), grey nurse sharks (winter), humpback whales (winter)
Location
133 m Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyer scuttled upright on sand in 27-28 m on 31 July 2005, about 2.8-2.9 nm east of Mudjimba Island off Mooloolaba; a restricted-access conservation park. Forward superstructure displaced by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025.
Facilities nearby
Departure: The Wharf, Mooloolaba (Scuba World and Sunreef shops, free all-day parking, cafes, toilets)
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
parks.qld.gov.auparks.qld.gov.ausunreef.com.auscubaworld.com.audetsi.qld.gov.audivernet.comabc.net.auscubadiverlife.comweekendnotes.comunidive.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.