Meet the site
The North Mole Barge is one of Perth's most popular shore wrecks. It is widely called the Gareenup Wreck, but its identity has never been confirmed. It is an iron-framed steel hopper barge with steam machinery, probably used for dredging in the Swan River and Fremantle Harbour. It originally sank about 200 m from its present site and was raised and relocated in 1988 during port works, coming to rest upright 180 m north of the North Mole in 8 m.
The hull is about 20 m long. Its iron skeleton of ribs, frames and plating is open in places, and divers can swim through the roughly 10 m between entry and exit openings. Some sections have been crushed, reportedly by a lost houseboat. About 30 m away lie more pieces of wreckage, including coiled pipe and the ribs of another vessel, probably from the area's ship-breaking history. Seagrass meadows surround the site.
Life is varied for such a small site. Aggressive scalyfin defend the hull, bight and sparsely spotted stingarees rest on the sand, fingered dragonets are a local speciality, and baldchin groper, wrasse and schools of small fish use the structure. Sponges and ascidians cover the steel.
The difficulty is getting in and out. The ramp at the disabled fishing platform is steep, slippery and exposed to waves, and falls here have caused serious injury. The pole trail laid by local divers has solved the problem of finding the wreck. With a rope, calm conditions and patience it is a rewarding dive for Open Water divers with some shore experience.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
North Mole & North Mole Barge is recorded as Wreck in Perth. The listed access is shore. 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.
- 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 North Mole & North Mole Barge 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 North Mole & North Mole Barge 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
Scalyfin, bight stingaree, sparsely spotted stingaree, fingered dragonets, baldchin groper, wrasse, small schooling fish, sponges, ascidians, seagrass fauna
Location
An unidentified steel hopper barge lying in 8 m about 180 m north of the North Mole, Fremantle, reached by a surface swim from the disabled fishing ramp.
Facilities nearby
Ample parking along North Mole Drive; no toilets or showers at the ramp (facilities at Port Beach and Leighton). Air fills in Fremantle.
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
divingwawrecks.comhowiesscuba.comhowiesscuba.commarinelife.org.auavenueperth.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
