Meet the site
The Other Playground is the companion mark to The Playground, 107 m to its north-east on the same stretch of wall just inside the western side of Port Phillip Heads. The Scuba Doctor listing gives it the same 15–50 m depth range, the same 'dive only on SWF' (slack water at end of flood) restriction and the same 'Advanced Open Water and beyond' rating, and the name says the rest: it is a second drop on the same feature, used when a boat has already dived The Playground or wants an untouched section.
The wall here is the continuation of the east–west face that forms the northern bank of the entrance channel on the Lonsdale side. The reef top is at about 15 m, sloping kelp and sponge-covered limestone, and the face falls in the usual Heads steps to around 50 m. The listing carries no separate description, and what is known comes from the adjoining sites: small caves and overhangs along the face, dense encrusting cover, crayfish under the ledges, and the blue devils, boarfish and sweep of the wall system generally.
It is rarely on a commercial schedule. Club and technical boats dive it on flood slacks when the entrance is calm, and it should be regarded as a site for experienced deep-wall divers with a skipper who knows the mark. The combination of depth, position in the channel and a single usable slack each tidal cycle makes it one of the more demanding drops at the Heads, and one of the quietest.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Other Playground is recorded as Wall in Port Phillip Heads. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 The Other Playground suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 The Other Playground 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
Southern rock lobster, southern blue devil, boarfish, sweep, old wife, sponges, zoanthids, gorgonians
Location
Deep wall section just inside the Heads on the Lonsdale side, 107 m north-east of The Playground.
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
scubadoctor.com.auscubadoctor.com.auscubadoctor.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
