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The ex-HMAS Brisbane site off Mooloolaba on Queensland's Sunshine
Coast is set to become Australia's premier
wreck dive.
The former US-built Charles F. Adams class guided missile
destroyer (DDG), nicknamed The Steel Cat, was scuttled on July 31 and
three operators are licensed to conduct dive tours to the site.
The Steel Cat site, which lies in the Ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park
2.8 nautical miles off Mudjimba Island, offers divers the full spectrum of dive
experiences. Open Water divers can descend to tour around the top deck of the
ship in around 18 metres and qualified Advanced Open Water divers can dive to
the base of the wreck at 27 metres, while only those with their Wreck Diver specialty
can penetrate the ship.
Those diving the Brisbane site will have the opportunity to watch a coral reef
being born, according to Environmental Protection Agency HMAS Brisbane
Project co-ordinator Guy Thomas.
According to Guy, six to eight months from scuttling fish will
take up residence on the wreck, followed by sponges and coral.
This is a chance to see how a reef comes to life, he said.
It's an ideal platform to teach diving from basic scuba, to advanced
scuba and wreck diving.
Also, in an Australian first, divers will be able to access the
former warship's engine and boiler rooms.
Getting there
Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar all offer direct daily flights from Sydney
and Melbourne to the Sunshine
Coast and can connect from any other major Australian city.
Scuba World, Sunreef and Noosa Blue Water Dive are all offering dive tours.
Located at The Wharf, Mooloolaba, 20 minutes from the wreck site, Scuba World
offers two fully-escorted dives trips daily to the wreck.
Scuba
World
ph +61 7 5444 8595
Sunreef operates fully-escorted trips daily on an
inflatable and nine metre Noosa Cat from their Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba
headquarters for the same price.
Sunreef
ph +61
7 5444 5656
Noosa Blue Water Dive, located at Noosa Harbour Marine
Village, offers daily dives, also for $195 (double dive, all
equipment)
Fishing Noosa
ph +61 7 5447
1300
If you're gonna travel abroad, make sure you are prepared... take it from us, travel insurance is an absolute must!
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