MV Lake Illawarra

The MV Lake Illawarra, resting beneath the waters of the Derwent River in Tasmania, is a compelling dive site for those fascinated by maritime history and wreck exploration.

On the 5th of January 1975 at 9.27 pm the MV Lake Illawarra, under the captaincy of Boleslaw Pelc, crashed into the 18th and 19th pylons of the Tasman Bridge bringing down a 127 m span of the bridge and sinking the ore carrier. Today the Illawarra rests on the silt under the bridge in 35 m of water. Light here penetrates down to around 26 m (but a torch is still essential!) which is conveniently level with the ship deck at the bottom of the bridge. 

The bridge itself spans up to 15 m with numerous port holes to look into on the way up. The smoke stacks on top raise up to around 10 m. Moving from stern to bow, and with some close examination, the ships radar domes and hoists can be found. The wreck provides an eerie yet captivating underwater experience, with its well-preserved structure serving as an artificial reef teeming with marine life. 

Divers can expect to encounter schools of fish, vibrant corals, and diverse invertebrates amidst the remnants of the ship. The MV Lake Illawarra offers a unique and historically rich dive, making it a must-visit site for wreck diving enthusiasts exploring Tasmania’s underwater treasures.