Meet the site
The Grace Darling was a 75 ft wooden sailing schooner built in 1876 that sank in a storm off Bulwer in 1894 while carrying coal, dynamite and detonators. Her remains lie in 9-11 m off the western side of Moreton Island and are one of the few wooden sailing-ship wrecks accessible to recreational divers in Moreton Bay. Little of the timber hull survives after more than a century, but the site is still recognisable. The most obvious feature is the ballast mound, about 1.5 m high, which marks the outline of the vessel. Nearby lies a large iron oven from the galley, and fragments of ship timber poke through the sand. The mound has become a small reef, encrusted with sponges and corals and sheltering fish, octopus and wobbegong sharks. Because the site is small and shallow, the dive is slow and exploratory rather than scenic, rewarding divers interested in maritime archaeology and in the critters that colonise such sites. Visibility is often about 15 m on a good high tide, which is better than many inner-bay sites. The key constraint is the current, which is strong enough that the wreck must be dived at slack water. Like all historic shipwrecks in Queensland it is protected, and nothing may be disturbed or removed. The Grace Darling is not on regular charter schedules and its position is not widely published, so most visits are made with Brisbane clubs that know the site. It complements the Bulwer Wrecks and The Pines nearby on a western Moreton day.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Grace Darling Wreck is recorded as Wreck 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.
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 Grace Darling 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 Grace Darling 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
Wobbegongs, octopus, reef fish, sponges and corals on the ballast mound
Location
Remains of a 75 ft wooden sailing schooner lost in 1894, lying in 9-11 m off Bulwer on the western side of Moreton Island.
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Manly or Scarborough; Bulwer store nearby.
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.