This dive site is the ex-HMAS Adelaide, a former warship deliberately scuttled in April 2011 to create an artificial reef off the coast of Australia. This impressive wreck offers divers a unique opportunity to explore a well-preserved vessel designed to attract marine life, making it a valuable site for both recreational diving and marine science research. Navigating the wreck provides diverse exploration possibilities, from its upper decks to deeper compartments.
The Adelaide has become a thriving ecosystem, providing a permanent home to schools of kingfish, which are frequently seen circling the wreck. Divers can also encounter Wobbegong sharks resting on the structure and increasingly common nurse sharks. A wide variety of other fish and benthic species have colonized the reef, making for a rich biodiversity experience.
While not explicitly stated, the best time to visit the Adelaide would generally align with warmer water months for optimal comfort, though marine life is present year-round. This site is excellent for wide-angle photography focusing on the wreck and schooling fish, and its varying depths make it suitable for both intermediate and advanced divers. For marine science students, it continues to be an active 'living laboratory'.
