Meet the site
The Belbowrie was a 37 m, 218-ton timber coastal steamer built by R. Davis at Blackwall, Woy Woy, on Brisbane Water in 1911 and powered by two two-cylinder steam engines from Mort's Dock in Balmain. She worked the NSW coastal trade for a long list of owners – J. Weston, the Coastal Shipping Co-operative, the Coffs Harbour Co-operative Steam Ship Company, Bell and Frazer, Kirsten and Earnshaw, the Shoalhaven Steam Ship Company, A. Auland and finally Aulco Pty Ltd. On the evening of 16 January 1939 she left Balmain for Shellharbour with ten crew. By 8.50 pm, in a strong southerly and very heavy rain, she was working down the coast when the mate saw what he took for whitecaps ahead – they were breakers on the rocks. She crashed onto the rocks at the southern end of Maroubra Beach; the engine room flooded, her back broke and waves swept right over her. Underwriters declared her a total loss (valued at £6,000) the next day. Two anchors and lead and brass fittings were salvaged by divers in October 1972. Today there is little recognisable: iron plates and girders are scattered over the reef just off the rock platform, with occasional brass fragments among the kelp and urchin barrens. McFadyen sums it up as a wreck that will not reward the diver with much wreckage but is an interesting dive anyway. Its interest lies in the history and in the reef itself, which holds typical Eastern Suburbs life – luderick, silver sweep, mado, blue gropers, eastern blue devils under ledges and occasional wobbegongs. The same point also claimed the much larger SS Tekapo in 1899, and the two sites can be searched on one dive. It suits experienced shore divers who can manage the long platform walk and surge, and history-minded divers ticking off Sydney's wrecks.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
TSS Belbowrie wreck (South Maroubra) is recorded as Wreck in Sydney South & Botany Bay. The listed access is shore or 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.
- 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 TSS Belbowrie wreck (South Maroubra) suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 TSS Belbowrie wreck (South Maroubra) 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
Luderick, silver sweep, mado, eastern blue groper, eastern blue devil, wobbegong, kelp, sea urchins
Location
Scattered remains of the timber coastal steamer Belbowrie, wrecked in 1939 just off the rock platform at the southern end of Maroubra Beach.
Facilities nearby
South Maroubra surf club car park, toilets and showers, kiosk; cafés on Marine Parade; air at Pro Dive Coogee and Abyss.
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.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
