A remarkable number of shipwrecks lie on the ocean floors around Australia. And yes, being an isolated country surrounded by the sea certainly helps !

More than 8,000 ships have been wrecked along the 37,113 miles of coastline surrounding Australia.

Whether accidentally or deliberately sunk, shipwrecks turn into true artificial reefs where marine life quickly takes over underwater ! All kinds of fish make their home within the remains of the wreck ! These wrecks become fascinating dive sites, rich in history and teeming with unexpected biodiversity !

« For every diver, there is a wreck for every fin ! » Some deep wrecks exposed to strong currents are reserved for experienced divers, while others in shallow waters are perfect for beginners discovering wreck diving ! Some wrecks can even be explored from the surface while snorkeling, and for non-divers, some can even be seen proudly from the beach !

I invite you to discover just a small sample of this wide range of dive sites !

World-famous for its Great Barrier Reef dive sites, Queensland in northeastern Australia also offers two must-see wreck diving sites along its coastline: the SS Yongala and the HMAS Brisbane.

The reputation of the SS Yongala dive site has spread worldwide and is well established ! The HMAS Brisbane, a former Royal Australian Navy destroyer measuring 133 meters in length, was deliberately sunk to become an artificial reef and is now ranked among the top 10 dive sites in Australia !

Moreton island, located off Brisbane, offers an unusual panorama with the Tangalooma wrecks sitting just offshore ! The fifteen wrecks were sunk in 1963 to act as a breakwater and provide shelter for small boats at anchor. They are accessible directly from the beach, to the delight of snorkelers, and the surrounding turquoise waters offer exceptional underwater visibility over the wrecks and the abundance of fish that now inhabit them !

Finally, Fraser island offers the chance to discover a shipwreck, the SS Maheno, right on the shoreline of a stunning white-sand beach washed by turquoise waters !

New South Wales is no exception, with many wreck diving sites, some reserved for experienced divers such as the SS Macleay, the SS Satara, and the SS Catterthun, lying at depths of over 131 feet for the first two and more than 197 feet for the latter.

In contrast, the wrecks of the SS Empire Gladstone off Merimbula and the SS Oakland off Port Stephens are more accessible.

The waters off Sydney contain an impressive number of wrecks. However, most of them are reserved for experienced divers due to their great depth and strong currents in the area ! Visibility is not always ideal, so caution is advised !

Among the wrecks off Sydney are the SS Tuggerah, the SS Undola, a famous wreck known for its still - intact toilets (now only visible from the outside), the SS Duckenfield, an excellent site for beginners in wreck diving, and the SS Royal Sheppard — and the list goes on !

The HMAS Canberra wreck lies at a depth of 92 feet after being sunk on October 4, 2009 off the Bellarine Peninsula, between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale, to become an artificial reef.

The HMAS Hobart wreck, measuring 436 feet in length, is a vibrant dive site full of marine life off the small town of Normanville. As a reminder, HMAS Hobart was a former Royal Australian Navy destroyer, decommissioned in May 2000 and scuttled in November 2002 to serve as an artificial reef.

Western Australia is also home to superb wrecks such as the HMAS Swan off the towns of Dunsborough and Bunbury.