Meet the site
The Lady Norman is the largest vessel on Curtin Artificial Reef, a 40 m coastal trader that Divernet's guide to the reef singles out for its size. Unlike most of the Curtin wrecks, which lie close together near the centre of the reef, she sits apart, about 50 m west of the tug Melbourne, so she is often dived as a destination in her own right rather than as part of a wreck-to-wreck swim. Her bulk makes her one of the best fish magnets on the reef. The hull and superstructure are encrusted with sponges, soft corals and hydroids, and the typical Curtin cast gathers around her: Queensland groupers, often more than a metre long, hanging near openings; schools of sweetlips, trevally and barracuda; kingfish and cobia passing in the current; and turtles and wobbegongs resting on and beside the wreck. Macro life on the hull includes nudibranchs, lionfish, scorpionfish and, for sharp-eyed divers, frogfish and ghostpipefish. Like the rest of the reef, the Lady Norman is tidal and must be dived around the high-tide slack; at other times the current across the hull is strong. Stinging hydroids grow on parts of the structure, so gloves are sensible and hands should stay off the wreck. Penetration is possible only for wreck-trained divers. Her size and position on the western edge of the reef make her a good choice for divers who have done the central cluster and want a larger single wreck. The history of her service career has not been widely published; confirm details with operators.
What you might see
Queensland groupers, sweetlips, trevally, barracuda, kingfish, cobia, turtles, wobbegongs, lionfish, scorpionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, sponges and hydroids
Location
40 m coastal trader, the largest vessel on Curtin Artificial Reef, lying about 50 m west of the tug Melbourne.
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.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.