What is the ex-HMAS Tobruk?
The ex-HMAS Tobruk (L 50) served the Royal Australian Navy as a heavy landing ship — a versatile vessel designed to carry troops, heavy vehicles and armoured equipment, then deliver them directly ashore. Built at Carrington Slipways on the Hunter River in New South Wales, her keel was laid in 1979; she was launched in 1980 and commissioned into service in 1981. Over the course of her naval career she took part in 26 major operations, including supply missions to the Multinational Force and Observers on the Sinai Peninsula, peacekeeping efforts in Somalia and Bougainville, and the INTERFET operation in East Timor. She was decommissioned in 2015, after which Queensland secured the vessel for use as an artificial reef. Towed north to Bundaberg for extensive preparation, she was carefully scuttled in the Great Sandy Marine Park in 2018, beginning a spectacular second life beneath the waves.
What makes diving the Tobruk so special?
What sets the Tobruk apart from every other dive wreck in Queensland is the way she came to rest — tilted onto her starboard side rather than sitting upright on the seabed. That unexpected angle transforms the experience entirely. Her stern doors have opened, exposing a vast internal tank deck that allows divers to undertake a swim-through spanning nearly the full length of the vessel — close to 120 metres. The sheer scale is genuinely awe-inspiring, and the on-her-side orientation gives the dive a character unlike that of any other wreck in the region. She is often compared to the ex-HMAS Brisbane off the Sunshine Coast, sunk more than a decade earlier, but the Tobruk's unique lie makes every dive distinctly her own.
What will you see underwater?
Nature is reclaiming the Tobruk at an impressive pace, and the wreck is already host to a thriving and rapidly expanding marine ecosystem. Colourful reef fish and anemones greet divers on descent, while schools of baitfish shimmer through the cavernous tank deck like living curtains of silver. Look carefully and you will spot octopus, lionfish and pufferfish sheltering in the wreck's many recesses. Deeper sections near the seafloor — at around 25 to 30 metres — reward advanced divers with encounters with grouper, cod, wobbegong sharks and rays. The upper rear decks sit in shallower water, making them accessible and rewarding for open-water certified divers as well.
Diving the Tobruk: what to expect on the day
Guided dive tours depart from Urangan Harbour at Hervey Bay, with operators running excursions on demand throughout the year. Because the wreck is tide-dependent, exact departure times vary from day to day, so it pays to confirm timing when you book. Tours typically run for around five hours and include experienced local dive guides who know the wreck intimately. Alternatively, if you have your own boat and dive gear, you can purchase a permit and visit the site independently. For those who hold a PADI Wreck certification — or want to add one to their logbook — some operators offer this as an additional option on the day.
Who can dive the Tobruk?
The site genuinely caters for divers of all certification levels. The upper sections of the wreck sit in water shallower than 18 metres, making them accessible to open-water divers looking for an impressive first wreck experience. The internal tank deck is anticipated to be around 25 metres, while the deepest sections near the seafloor reach approximately 30 metres — ideal territory for advanced and technical divers who want to explore the full scale of the vessel and encounter the larger marine life that congregates there. If you are not yet certified but want to experience the underwater world, local dive centres also offer PADI training and introductory programmes.
Local dive sites when conditions change
Hervey Bay's dive operators know their patch well. On days when conditions make a trip out to the Tobruk unsuitable, a number of local dive sites just a short boat ride from Urangan Harbour offer excellent alternatives. Sites such as the Three Ships wrecks, Simpson Artificial Reef, Hardy Artificial Reef and various drift dives around nearby islands are all tide-dependent and best dived around high tide for optimal visibility. These sites are home to turtles, sea snakes, large rays and a diverse range of schooling fish — a great back-up option that still delivers a memorable underwater experience.
How to get to Hervey Bay for your dive
Hervey Bay is located approximately 290 kilometres north of Brisbane by road — roughly a three-and-a-half-hour drive. The city has its own regional airport with regular services, and all guided Tobruk dive tours depart from Urangan Harbour. Accommodation options across Hervey Bay range from caravan parks steps from the foreshore to resorts and self-contained apartments, making it easy to base yourself for a dive trip of one day or several. The Tobruk dive pairs naturally with other Fraser Coast experiences — whale watching in season, a day trip to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), or an ecoflight to Lady Elliot Island on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.