Meet the site
The Victorian Ships' Graveyard was the official dumping ground for Melbourne's unwanted hulls: an unregulated 'outer Heads' area used from about 1900, and from 1932 the proclaimed Commonwealth Area No. 3, a 6 km circle about 10 km south-west of Barwon Heads in 40–60 m. More than 46 vessels were stripped, towed out through The Rip and sunk with gelignite between 1913 and 1971, and all are protected historic shipwrecks. VHB 53 and her sister VHB 54 were the last two vessels dumped in the official ground. Both were steel hopper barges about 46 m (150 ft) long with an 18.5 ft beam, brought from Holland in 1950 by Australian Dredging and General Works for the contract to dredge the entrance to the Yarra, where they carried spoil from the dredges out to the spoil ground and dropped it through bottom doors. When the work ended they were worthless; VHB 54 went down in December 1970 and VHB 53 followed on Friday 19 February 1971, closing a practice that had begun before the First World War. VHB 53 lies in 52–57 m at the western end of the field, close to the barque Casablanca. It is in somewhat better order than her sister: the stern section is enterable for trained divers, and a set of horizontal beams across the midships seems to be what keeps the open hopper from spreading. The most distinctive feature is not on the wreck at all – the large cogged wheel that operated the hopper doors lies on the seabed about 15 m off the starboard stern, presumably shaken loose as she sank. The steel carries the usual sponge and zoanthid growth of the western Graveyard and shelters ling, bullseyes and crayfish. It is a modest wreck at a serious depth, a trimix dive with 40–50 minutes of decompression for 20 minutes on a hopper barge, and it is dived only occasionally by technical teams completing the Graveyard set or looking for an uncomplicated deep hull for rebreather or gas-switching practice. Pairing it with the Casablanca 298 m away, a far more interesting sailing-ship wreck at the same depth, makes the trip worthwhile.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
VHB 53 is recorded as Wreck in Port Phillip Heads. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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.
- 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 VHB 53 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 VHB 53 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
Sponges, zoanthids, ling, bullseyes, southern rock lobster, butterfly perch
Location
Western Ships' Graveyard about 10 km south-south-east of Barwon Heads, 298 m north-west of the Casablanca.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Queenscliff Harbour (parking, toilets, cafes, fills at Dive Victoria/Queenscliff Dive Centre) or Portsea Pier (parking on Point Nepean Road, toilets, cafes).
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.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
