Australia’s Northern Territory is an incredible place to dive, with clear, warm water, and intriguing marine life everywhere you look. While there are plenty of undeniably beautiful scenic dive sites in Northern Territory, there are also some fabulous artificial reefs. Offering a look at maritime history from a completely different perspective, these spectacular wrecks and other intriguing underwater objects provide shelter for fish and other life, plus they are often very easy to access – something which cannot often be said of shipwrecks that occurred by accident. Here are just a few of the best!
East Point Artificial Reef - Australia Dive Sites
What started as a simple submerged barge, in 22 meters of water, is now quite an impressive heap. The original low-profiled barge did not attract much in the way of sea life, so in 1995, two boat hulls and a concrete agitator, plus a bottle washer and some other odds and ends were added to form a small underwater mountain that attracts all kinds of fish. This is a great dive, and perfect for anyone with an AOW certification.
Song Saigon - Australia Dive Sites
Desperate for freedom from oppression, Vietnamese refugees hijacked the steel-hulled Song Saigon in the early 1980’s, and fled to Australia. In 1983, the dilapidated old wreck was scuttled with the express intention of forming an artificial reef to serve as a fish habitat and dive site. The 130 foot long boat now lies in 25 meters of water, close to the Ham Luong and the John Holland Barge. Sitting intact and upright, the vessel can be penetrated by those who are qualified to do so. She is covered in a wonderful array of sponge and coral growth, and provides a home to countless fish and invertebrates.
John Holland Barge - Australia Dive Sites
This is a very small, but interesting wreck, which has an almost otherworldly look. Made of cylindrical pontoons about two meters long, held together with sturdy steel beams that once served as the barge’s working platform, John Holland is just 24 meters long and 12 meters wide. She was once used for menial labor, and now serves as a beautiful stage, where invertebrates dance and fish swim in a never-ending drama of color.
Marchart 3 - Australia Dive Sites
During her life above the waves, Marchart 3 was used as a standby vessel for oil exploration rigs, and was then refitted and used as a prawn trawler. Today, some tap dancing prawns and other creatures celebrate the demise of the ship that once hunted them, while colorful fish swim to and fro. This 32 meter wreck is beautiful and can be penetrated easily and safely; plus, visibility is excellent. A wonderful dive on a neat old boat, with a maximum depth of just 28 meters.
Bus Stop - Australia Dive Sites
An integral, and intriguing part of the Fenton Patches complex, the Bus Stop is an artificial reef made up of bus shelters and old tires, boat parts, and other refuse. The site is marked with a buoy, and is very easy to find, lying just one nautical mile from the Marchart 3. Hundreds of jewfish, some being females with their mouths full of eggs, and thousands of other fish and invertebrates make their homes here. Maximum depth is 28 meters.
Cockatoo, Brolga, & Eagle - Australia Dive Sites
The Cockatoo, Brolga, and Eagle were once Chinese fishing boats, conducting illegal fishing activity in Australian waters. They were seized and added to Fenton Patches on March 8, 1995. Today, these ships, which have timber hulls, are steadily being covered over with colorful flora, and in a case of justice well served, are home to lots of fish and invertebrates. Maximum depth is 28 meters.
There are several local dive operators that make trips to these fantastic artificial reefs on a regular basis. When you visit, you’re sure to enjoy these scenic ships and appreciate the history behind them!