Meet the site
The SS City of Sydney was launched at Glasgow in January 1854 for the Australasian Steam Navigation Company – the company's first screw steamship. She was an iron, barque-rigged passenger and cargo ship of 735 tons, almost 208 feet long and 27 feet wide, with berths for 230 passengers. She reached Sydney in April 1854 and worked mainly on the Sydney–Melbourne run, with occasional charters, including carrying troops to the Taranaki War in New Zealand in 1860. Her skipper, Captain Moodie, became famous in Sydney for firing the ship's gun to announce news from the Crimean War.
She left Melbourne for Sydney on 4 November 1862 with about 100 passengers, including a group of Sydney riflemen returning from an intercolonial shooting match. On the night of 5–6 November she ran onto rocks about 2 km west of Green Cape, at the site now called City Rock. All on board were saved.
McFadyen describes a very broken wreck on rocky reef with some kelp and sponges. The main features are the large engine, the propeller shaft and the stern section, which still lies on its starboard side with the propeller, rudder and part of the hull in one piece. The propeller blades are nearly all broken off, suggesting the engine was still running when the ship rolled and the prop hit the bottom. There are also sections of keel and hull, a bollard and winch, and two anchors to the south-east. Ironwork has also washed up on shore. McFadyen calls it an attractive wreck, well worth the effort of the long trek.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
SS City of Sydney is recorded as Wreck in Eden & Green Cape. The listed access is boat. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 SS City of Sydney suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 SS City of Sydney 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
Kelp, sponges, blue groper, drummer, sweep, wrasse, leatherjackets, morwong
Location
Broken-up remains of an 1854 iron screw steamer wrecked on 6 November 1862 at 'City Rock' about 2 km west of Green Cape; engine, prop shaft and upturned stern section on rocky reef.
Facilities nearby
None at the site; nearest ramps Wonboyn Lake or Eden.
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomarinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.