The SS Yongala is known as one of the best dives in Australia, and ranks as one of the top five in the world.
The steamer was operated by the Adelaide Steamship Company, was built in England and sailed into Australian waters in December, 1903. She was a modern, well equiped, steam ship of the day capable of more than 15 knots. At 110 metres in length she was a large passenger ship with first and second class accommodation, state rooms, smoke room, drawing and dining rooms, electric lighting and elegant timber fittings. She was capable of carrying over 200 passengers.
The Yongala regularly steamed between Brisbane and Townsville. She sailed from Brisbane for Townsville on March 21, 1911 and was expected in Townsville 4 or 5 days later. The boat arrived at Mackay early on March 23 and departed northwards the same day. However, the Yongala never received the news of a developing cyclone to the north, having departed before the warnings arrived.
See some Yongala Photos in the Media Section
She was sunk by the cyclone, probably by taking too much water onboard in the huge waves. She is located away from any coral reefs and as such, she is like an ocean oasis to the pelagic fish in the area.
Lying on her side in 30m of water east of Cape Bowling Green just south of Townsville, her hull is still largely intact and covered with a blanket of soft corals, anemones and oysters.
She rests on a sandy bottom in the middle of the main shipping channel and is 12 to 14 miles from the coast.
Strong currents that pass through the area draw marine life to the hull. This may be the reason that every thing seems so huge. Inquistive Batfish, Giant Trevally (Jacks), Barracuda, Rainbow Runners, Tuna, Mackerel and other pelagics cruise the wreck.
Bull rays, eagle rays, shovel-nosed rays, mantas rays, and bull and tiger sharks are also common sights.
Along the wreck itself you will push your way through schools of tiny bait fish, come face to face with Olive Sea Snakes and maybe one or two of the resident turtles.
Around the bow and stern you can observe the huge resident Queensland Groupers, the largest one estimated to be in excess of 500 kg.
Night dives here are very spectacular. The rubble bottom makes the ideal spot for you to find brightly coloured Nudibranchs, shrimps and anemones.
Around the wreck you can see many items of interest including bottles, bricks and numerous portholes (and the toilets!).
Remember that the wreck is protected and as such nothing may be disturbed or removed from the wreck-site. She is after all a grave to the 121 passengers that perished.
