Meet the site
On the evening of 5 January 1975 the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra, inbound to the Risdon zinc works with a cargo of zinc concentrate, struck pylons 18 and 19 of the Tasman Bridge. A 127 m section of the bridge collapsed onto the ship, which sank within minutes. Seven crew died, and four cars drove off the broken span into the river, killing five motorists; two other cars stopped with their wheels over the edge. The disaster cut Hobart in two for almost three years and led to compulsory pilotage on the river. The ship – 139.8 m long, 7,274 GRT and 10,380 DWT, built by BHP at Whyalla and delivered in 1958 – lies in 35 m just south of the bridge, with concrete bridge sections on and around her. Her bunker oil was pumped out and the bow later removed, and the wreck is deep enough to pose no hazard to shipping. The Tasmanian Scuba Diving Club describes light penetrating to about 26 m, roughly deck level, with features including the bridge structure rising about 15 m, funnels about 10 m high, radar domes, hoists and portholes, and the hull serving as an artificial reef. The Marine Life Network guide calls it the spookiest dive in Tasmanian waters: jewel anemones share the structure with thick river silt, visibility is often near zero, penetration is dangerous, and the bridge is directly overhead. Debris and recording instruments around the bow are off-limits. The site is also a place of loss: twelve people died here. This is an expert dive done only with TasPorts permission, strong wreck and low-visibility skills and full surface support. It is listed for its historical significance rather than as an accessible recreational dive.
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 Lake Illawarra is recorded as Wreck in Hobart & Derwent. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 SS Lake Illawarra suitable for my certification?
The record lists Wreck specialty recommended. 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 Lake Illawarra 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
Jewel anemones, sea squirts, crabs, schooling fish, Northern Pacific seastars (invasive), encrusting invertebrates
Location
Bulk ore carrier lying in 35 m on the bed of the Derwent just south of the Tasman Bridge, off Rosny Point, beneath the bridge span she brought down in 1975.
Facilities nearby
Boat ramps at Lindisfarne and Kangaroo Bay (Bellerive); fills in Hobart.
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.auen.wikipedia.orgtsdc.org.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.