Meet the site
Outer Rock is the natural-reef partner to the Nautilus wreck off Bustard Head, the rugged headland and lighthouse between 1770 and Gladstone. Marinelife.org.au describes it as a tide-affected, exposed rock in 20-30 m that is best dived at high-tide slack, with visibility around 15 m – and warns that it is a 'haunt for bronze whalers and tiger sharks'.
That description sums up the character of the dive. This is an open-ocean rock swept by strong tidal flows, which bring nutrients and pelagic fish and make it a hunting ground for large sharks. Expect trevally, mackerel and cobia around the rock, gropers and cod in the crevices, and the rock itself encrusted with sponges, soft corals and gorgonians fed by the current. Divers visiting here should be comfortable with open water, current and the presence of big sharks, and ready to abort if the tide turns early.
Published information is limited to the marinelife.org.au summary and GPS mark; there is no regular operator and the site is visited mainly by local divers and spearfishers with their own boats, usually combined with the Nautilus. Access from Turkey Beach or 1770 is through shallow creek bars, and the headland is remote from services.
Outer Rock suits experienced, self-reliant divers who want a raw, exposed natural reef with a big-animal edge. It is not a site for newly certified divers or for anyone uneasy around sharks. Do not confuse it with Outer Rock in the Keppel Islands further north. Bustard Head itself carries Queensland's first coastal lighthouse, first lit in 1868, which makes a useful landmark on the run out.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Outer Rock (Bustard Head) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Bundaberg & Agnes Water. The listed access is boat. 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.
- 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.
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 Outer Rock (Bustard Head) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Outer Rock (Bustard Head) 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
Bronze whalers, tiger sharks, trevally, mackerel, cobia, gropers, cod, sponges, soft corals, gorgonians
Location
Exposed, tide-swept rock off Bustard Head between 1770 and Gladstone, dropping to 20-30 m; reached from the Turkey Beach or 1770 boat ramps.
Facilities nearby
Departures: Turkey Beach boat ramp or Seventeen Seventy boat ramp
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.