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Video Clips of the X-HMAS Brisbane
Towing the X-HMAS Brisbane - MPEG File | WMV File
The X-HMAS Brisbane arrives to the Sunshine Coast - MPEG File
Diving The X-HMAS Brisbane - Low Bandwidth | High Bandwidth
Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 1967 the HMAS Brisbane was a 133 metre, Charles F Adams Class DDG, guided missile destroyer. Over 34 years of service, till she was decommissioned in 2001, she served in both the Vietnam and Gulf wars .
In January 2003, the Queensland Government agreed to accept the decommissioned HMAS Brisbane from the Commonwealth Government for sinking off the Sunshine Coast as an artificial reef and dive site. After extensive and careful preparation, the ship was towed for its last journey to the Sunshine Coast and scuttled on 31 July 2005 at a site 2.8 nautical miles east of Mudjumba Island off the Sunshine Coast. The wreck now serves as a world-class artificial reef and diving site.
Scuttled in mid 2005 as an artificial reef, the former destroyer, ex HMAS Brisbane is attracting a growing number of divers from around the country and around the world. Being on a sandy floor in 27 metres of water, she seems to be in the perfect diving spot. Sitting bolt upright the HMAS Brisbane has 12 to 15 metres of water over her forward decks and 18 metres over her stern. Consistently good water clarity and minimal swell makes for great diving.
Just one dive on the HMAS Brisbane and you readily understand why Sunreef Dive is privileged to have been issued a licence by the Environment Protection Agency of the Queensland Government to conduct dive trips on the former HMAS Brisbane. The dive is phenomenal.
There is certainly a lot of ship to see. Just cruising around the outside, its sheer size makes it an awesome sight. Water temperatures range from 17C in winter to a summer high of 27C. Visibility averages around 15 metres but up to 20 metres or more is not uncommon.
Environmental studies commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency and conducted by scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast and Queensland Museum confirm the diversity of marine life that has made the Brisbane home.
A resident school of predatory yellow tailed king fish now ‘buzz’ the schools of bait fish that surround the HMAS Brisbane. Local inhabitants include a large bull ray, angler fish, lion fish, blennies, nudibranchs, sea hares, squid and a small school of juvenile snapper. Other visitors include a shovelled nose ray, greasy cod and eagle rays. An octopus has made a home in a pyrotechnic tube on the deck.
 Sunreef speeds you out to the Brisbane in what many are describing as the Sunshine Coast’s best dive boat – the purpose built 11 metre Kevla Cat dive boat we call 2 Ezy. Dive on 2 Ezy to find out about real comfort on the water.
The ex HMAS Brisbane offers a great opportunity for advanced scuba diving courses, enriched air, wreck diving and photography courses.
Sunreef diving centre runs morning trips daily (weather permitting) and regular afternoon and night dives to the Brisbane.
Bookings are essential.
Charter only - $120.50*
Double dive with tanks & weights - $145*
Double dive with all gear supplied - $184.50*
(plus $15 conservation fee)To book a Sunreef dive requires a $135.50 deposit with the balance payable no later than one week prior to the dive day. We will ask all divers to phone in for a weather check between 4-5p.m. the day prior to the dive. If the dive is cancelled due to poor weather conditions, then all monies will be refunded or transferred to another day: the choice is yours. Please read our cancellation policy.
To dive the HMAS Brisbane you must complete appropriate paperwork. Spend more time in the water. Fill out the paperwork before you arrive on  the day and save time.
For those wishing to penetrate to ship the current regulations are as follows:
- All first time Divers on the Wreck, regardless of qualification or skill level must have a familiarisation dive with a Sunreef guide for their first dive. No Penetration.
- Open Water Divers may penetrate with a Sunreef Dive guide to a Max Depth of 18m
- Advanced Open Water Divers have unlimited penetration With a Sunreef Guide to all depths of the wreck.
- Wreck/Cave Specialty Divers or divers with appropriate experience may independently penetrate. Divers in light locked areas must carry all appropriate specialist equipment.
- You need to supply a certification card
PLEASE NOTE: All divers must have thier own dive computer and penetration divers must carry a torch! It is highly recommended that all divers wear gloves due to the amount of growth on the wreck. All these are available for hire or sale in the Sunreef shop prior to you dive.
When booking please let us know your diver certification level and experience so we can arrange adequate staffing for all our trips.
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