Meet the site
The SS Australian was an iron-hulled single-screw steam coaster built in Dundee in 1879, about 49 m long and 352 tons. For more than three decades she carried cargo and passengers along the South Australian coast. On 8 May 1912 – less than a month after the Songvaar sank at the other end of the island – she ran onto a reef at the south-east corner of Wardang Island during a sand storm that reduced visibility to almost nothing, and was lost. Today the wreck is well flattened but extensive. The SDFSA records the stern at about 8 m with wreckage rising to 2.5 m, and the bow lying about 100 m to the north-east in shallow water. A detached boiler, frames, flattened plating and machinery fragments give plenty to explore, and because surge keeps growth on the iron limited, the Marine Life Society describes the structure as extremely visible. Fish life is usually prolific. Sweep, silver drummer and leatherjackets are the most common residents, with old wives, magpie perch and schools of small baitfish, and crabs and octopus in the gaps. The Australian is one of the most popular Wardang dives because it combines easy depth, plenty of structure and good fish, and it sits a short distance from the MacIntyre, allowing a two-wreck dive. It suits Open Water divers and confident snorkellers on calm days. Remember that the southern shore takes south-westerly swell – on a rough day, head for the more sheltered Songvaar and Moorara instead. The DEW trail booklet and the Port Victoria Maritime Museum hold photographs of the coaster in service that help identify her machinery underwater.
What you might see
Sweep, silver drummer, leatherjackets, old wives, magpie perch, baitfish schools, crabs, octopus
Location
Iron steam coaster that ran onto a reef in a sandstorm in 1912 at the south-east corner of Wardang Island; stern in about 8 m rising to 2.5 m, with the bow 100 m to the north-east in shallow water.
Facilities nearby
Port Victoria ramp, kiosk with air fills.
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
environment.sa.gov.ausdfsa.netthediveshack.com.aumarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.