Searching for shipwrecks along the Gippsland coastline (Australia)
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The Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia offers a beautiful coastline with a mix of sandy shores, rocky cliffs, quaint towns, delicious regional produce and a chance to search for the remains of shipwrecks. Searching for shipwrecks in Gippsland can be as simple as walking along the beach, or may require scrambling over rocks or down slippery tracks.
Your effort will be rewarded with quiet beaches, beautiful coastlines and a sense of adventure while exploring the regions history.
Where is Gippsland?
Gippsland is a large region in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Gippsland coastline extends from Phillip Island to the New South Wales border so it’s no surprise there is a long list of shipwrecks on this stretch of water.
Whilst most of the shipwrecks are in a watery grave, there are some available for viewing on the shoreline.
Cost
Access to all shipwrecks in this post is FREE as they are on public beaches.
Where are the shipwrecks?
This blog post focuses on the remains of the Trinculo at Seaspray, Amazon at Inverloch and SS Speke at Phillip Island. Whilst you could visit these all in one-day it would be a long time in the car with limited time to explore.
I suggest combining the Inverloch and Phillip Island wreck into 1 day trip, then visit the Seaspray wreck another day.
How to get there
There is limited public transport in Gippsland so it’s best to drive yourself. This also gives you the opportunity to explore the region more.
The roads are well maintained and the carparks clearly marked.
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Tips for visiting the Gippsland shipwrecks
- Check the tide times and aim for low tide
- Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes
- Always follow any signs at the beaches as Australian beaches can be dangerous
- Enjoy the journey not just the destination
Trinculo – 90 Mile Beach
Built | 1858
Year shipwrecked | May 1879
Boat details | Iron barque
Location | Situated between the towns of Golden Beach (4km) and Seaspray (20km). There is a signed carpark but no other facilities nearby.
Access | Follow the track from the carpark and the wreck will be visible on the beach.
Remains | At low tide a good portion of the Trinculo wreck is available to view with the rusty colour a beautiful contrast against the clean sand.
Further information | There is a dedicated blog post here, and official information on the Victorian Heritage Database.
EXPLORE | The region of Gippsland has an endless supply of outdoor adventures. Explore all the Gippsland posts on the destination page to help plan your journey
Amazon – Inverloch Surf Beach
Built | 1855
Year shipwrecked | 15 December 1863
Boat details | Wooden international trading vessel
Access | From the surf lifesaving carpark head to the beach and turn right. The Amazon wreck isn’t too far and there is a creek nearby. If you get to the section of beach that is close to the road you have gone too far!
Remains | Due to the wreck being quite low in height the visibility can be reduced if sands have been deposited. Remains are generally visible at low tide as shown in the images below. Occasionally rough conditions have caused the wave action to strip away the sand and expose more of the Amazon wreck.
Further information | The Amazon is well loved with information on the Inverloch History website and also on the Amazon 1863 Project website which aims to preserve the Amazon artefacts. Information is also on the Victorian Heritage Database.
PLAN | Have you considered the best time to visit Victoria?
SS Speke – Phillip Island
Built | 1891
Year shipwrecked | 1906
Boat details | Full rigged ship constructed of composite materials –the ‘second largest ship-rigged sailing vessel ever built’
Access | From Kitty Miller Bay carpark head to the left and take the track over the cliff to the next bay. This access track is steep and slippery so caution is needed for the 2km return walk. Alternatively walk around on the rocky shore at low tide but be aware that the rocks are unstable and not easy to walk along. Don’t attempt to walk around if the tide is coming in as you will have limited options for escape with the cliff on one side, and the ocean on the other.
Remains | Of the shipwrecks I have visited in Gippsland this definitely has the ‘wow’ factor. The view of the crumbled SS Speke wreck on the rocks as you come over the cliff is impressive. Scanning the eyes further reveals views of the rugged coastline including Pyramid Rock. Then as you get closer and see the detail that has stood the test of time, and find smaller pieces scattered around the rocks, you get a strong sense of adventure!
Further information | Victorian Heritage Database and Visit Bass Coast websites.
Final thoughts
In all honesty, these Gippsland shipwrecks are not going to rock your world unless you are a history buff. They are not comparable with the likes of the shipwrecks on K’gari (Fraser Island) or Moreton Island in size or grandeur. However, Gippsland has stunning beaches and the search for these shipwrecks will take you to gorgeous locations.
A visit to the shipwrecks can easily be made into a perfect day trip by adding a delicious lunch at a local café and a browse around a seaside town such as Inverloch. Save this post for next time you are looking for Gippsland day trip idea!
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