Wrecks of Moreton: This sandy island is located on the coast of southeastern Queensland in Australia. The area of the island is 17,500 hectares, making Moreton Island the third largest sand island in the world.
Most of the island has been declared a National Park, so it is run by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service which preserves its natural beauty.
Moreton is home to various animals and interesting birds. There is also archeological evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the island for about 2,000 years. After archaeologists unearthed such evidence, it was decided to declare the island a local cultural heritage site.
You can easily reach the island by a special passenger ferry. Since there are no proper roads on the island, visitors often rent SUVs.
The most common activities for tourists on the island are swimming and diving, and the private resort of Tangalooma is located on Moreton Island.
In one part of the island lie the remains of 15 ships. They were deliberately flooded near the coast in an effort to create an artificial breakwater and consequently a safe harbor for boats. It has also turned out to be a popular place for diving and snorkeling.
The ship Maryborough became the first wreck on the edge of the sandbanks in 1963, but the breakwater also includes old steamboats and barges from the Harbors and Marine Department. The last ship was scuttled in 1982.
Near the sunken ships, it is possible to dive to a depth of two to ten meters, with visibility being up to eight meters. The ships are overgrown with corals, shells, and algae.
The water nearby is crystal clear, which allows you to observe marine life and coral. As an added bonus for divers and snorkellers, the wrecks attract amazing sea creatures.
Since the ships are located so near the coast, it’s easy to approach them. However, tourists must be extremely cautious due to strong currents in the area.
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