Scuba diving – Great Ocean Road

Some of Australia's greatest but least known dive sites are located along the Great Ocean Road. They range from 20 metre-high kelp forests to spectacular caves and shipwreck sites with an abundance of fish life, crayfish and abalone.

Here are some of the best dive sites along the coast. These and many more can be accessed with local dive operators and many of the operators also conduct diving courses, ranging from open water novice diver up to the professional level under the guidance of a fully qualified and experienced instructor.

Bellarine Peninsula
The underwater world of Port Phillip Bay includes over 60 nineteenth century shipwrecks and four sunken submarines from World War One. Take an organised tour with the dive operator in Queenscliff, explore the wrecks and experience the diversity of one of the most colourful and interesting underwater habitats in the world.

Apollo Bay
In Apollo Bay check out the wreck of the SS Casino, which sank while trying to dock in rough seas with the loss of 10 lives. She lies in 9 metres of water, approximately 400 metres from the shore.

Moonlight Head is home of the shipwreck Fiji, which ran aground in 1891 and resulted in the deaths of 12 of the crew. See large coils of chain, anchors, gin bottles, ceramic toys and porcelain dolls in 6 metres of water. The site is 60 metres from shore off Wreck Beach and can be accessed via a long climb down the stairs or charter boat.

Port Campbell
In Port Campbell see the famous Loch Ard wreck. It was carrying passengers to Melbourne from England when it struck Mutton Bird Island in 24 metres of water. This is a magnificent dive and you can still see general cargo such as lead ingots, lead shot, tiles, bottles and crockery, even a marble headstone. Access is by charter boat.

Explore Thunder Cave near the Loch Ard Gorge. The cave is about 25 metres deep and is full of crayfish sittingon ledges. Access by charter boat only.

Try a dive off the Port Campbell jetty, where you will see many types of fish life and old moorings made from engine blocks and gearboxes. On the Peterborough side of Port Campbell there are more shipwrecks including the Newfield, which lies in 6 metres of water and went down in 1892 with the loss of 9 lives. The Shomberg ran aground at Peterborough in 8 metres of water with no lives lost. The wreck has deteriorated over time due to heavy seas in the area.

In Peterborough there are good shore dives at Wild Dog Cove, a nursery bay and Crofts Bay. On the Warrnambool side of Peterborough there is the wreck of the Falls of Halladale, which ran aground in thick fog in 1908. No lives were lost and it is an excellent dive by shore or boat. She lies in 4 to 11 metres of water, is nearly 300 feet long and home to lots of fish life.

Warrnambool
Try one of the many shore dives around Warrnambool. The breakwater wall is home to juvenile fish and is about 4-6 metres on the inside and 5-8 metres on the outside. The shipwreck Labella is about 250 metres off the end of the breakwater and is a great dive with lots of fish life, plant growth and crayfish. The Labella sank in 1905 with the loss of 7 crew. She lies in 15 metres with the bow section still intact, south-east of the breakwater.

Stingray Bay is a good shore dive with plenty of fish returning as it is now part of the Merri Marine Sanctuary. Middle Island is another good spot, a shore dive with lots of swim throughs and magnificent scenery, although a strong current is sometimes present when wading through the islands.

Pickering Point and Thunder Point are two very good dive spots, accessible by shore or boat, with breath taking scenery and under water landscapes. Dives range from 3 to 24 metres.

Note: All tours and charters are subject to weather.