Take Your Little Pirate In Search Of Shipwrecks In Brisbane

Arrrrgh ahoy there, me hearties! Does your little one talk constantly of buried treasure and sailing the seven seas? Before you are tempted to make your little pirate walk the plank, here are some great places to find some shipwrecks in Brisbane, both on land and in the water.

So grab your cutlass and your sea legs and get exploring!

Shipwreck Parks in Brisbane

Brisbane and the surrounding area holds a treasure trove of nautically themed parks and playgrounds sure to keep your little buccaneer happy for hours.

Here are a few to add to your treasure map.

• Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve – Cleveland Point
• Pelican Park – Clontarf
• Colmslie Beach Reserve – Colmslie
• Fig Tree Pocket Riverside Reserve – Fig Tree Pocket
• Pirate Ship Park – Flagstone
• Simpsons Park – Graceville
• Sir John Chandler Park – Indooroopilly 
• Captain Burke Park – Kangaroo Point
• Bayside Park – Manly
• DM Henderson Park – Macgregor
• Scarborough Beach Park – Scarborough
• Discovery Park – Springfield Lakes
• Terry and Frances Slaughter Park – Springfield Lakes
• Tygum Park – Waterford West
• George Clayton Park – Wynnum

Discover Real Shipwrecks Around Brisbane

Are parks and playgrounds not enough for your pirate? Here are some scuttled shipwrecks around Brisbane – maybe one holds gold doubloons and other treasures?

HMQS Gayundah – Woody Point 

This flat-iron gunboat entered service in 1884 for the Queensland Maritime Defence Force, then Royal Australian Navy, until she was sold in 1921 to become a sand and gravel barge on the Brisbane River. Gayundah was run aground in 1958 at Woody Point Beach to preserve the foreshore.

HMQS Gayundah has deteriorated significantly over the years and poses a risk to the public, so for that reason, no access to the wreck is permitted. You can however view the wreck from land. The best viewing access is from Gayundah Costal Arboretum, off Gayundah Esplanade in Woody Point. Once you arrive at the Arboretum follow the path around the corner, to where you will find the wreck.

Bulwer Wrecks – Moreton Island

Bulwer Wrecks are three shipwrecks on the beach directly in front of the town of Bulwer on Moreton Island. Their location makes for easy access by kids, being on the beach and in shallow water. The Hopewell and Mt Kembla were scuttled in 1930, and the Kallatina followed in 1931 to form a breakwater to make loading and unloading ships easier.

After arriving on Moreton Island (usually by ferry or barge) you will need a 4WD to head north to the small settlement of Bulwer. Snorkelling is permitted at the Bulwer wrecks, and on a clear day affords visitors with sightings of wobbegong sharks, reef fish and maybe even turtles.

Tangalooma Wrecks – Moreton Island

Moreton Island is home to the Tangalooma Wrecks – fifteen ships scuttled to create an artificial reef teeming with sea life. Originally created in 1963 to give recreational boat owners a safe anchorage, the wrecks are now a world class snorkelling site (depth 2-10 metres).

To view the wrecks, you will need to make your way to Moreton Island, via ferry or barge, or perhaps even a day cruise from Brisbane. Snorkelling is a popular activity at the wrecks, as is scuba diving and kayaking.

SS Dicky – Dicky Beach

Dicky Beach in Caloundra is home to the wreck of the SS Dicky, which ran aground in heavy seas whilst on a voyage from Rockhampton to Brisbane, in 1893. While there were many attempts to refloat the Dicky, they were ultimately unsuccessful. Over the years, the wreck deteriorated further and became a safety risk to the public.

Portions of the wreck have been removed and relocated and are now available for viewing at various locations around Caloundra. The area around the SS Dicky wreck is now closed to the public with further investigations continuing into the safety of the wreck. Depending on the conditions, the wreck may be covered by sand or submerged in the water.

SS Maheno – K’gari (Fraser Island)

The SS Maheno was a turbine-driven steamer built in 1905. In 1935 it was sold for scrap but while it was being towed to Japan, the tow chain broke and she run aground on the Eastern side of K’gari at 75 Mile Beach.

Like most wrecks, the Maheno has deteriorated and as a consequence you can no longer climb on it. It’s still pretty impressive to view and grab a piccie of that’s for sure, especially when the skies are blue.

You can find more information about the SS Maheno and the other wrecks on K’gari here

Swashbuckling Extras

So what if your little pirate isn’t into shipwrecks? Take part in “Speak Like A Pirate Day” on the 19^th of September each year simply by speaking like a pirate.  

Visit the Queensland Maritime Museum, South Brisbane to view items from maritime history or perhaps enjoy the day at Bribie Island with a visit to the informative (and FREE) Bribie Island Seaside Museum. 

Funny Pirate Jokes

These jokes are sure to entertain swashbuckling pirates – why not try them out on your kids too?

• Why are pirates called pirates? (They just arrrgh!)

• Why couldn’t the pirate play cards? (Because he was standing on the deck)

• What is a pirate’s favourite subject? (Arrrrtt!)

• Why did the pirate go on holiday? (To get some arrrgh and arrrgh!)

• Why can’t you take a picture of a pirate with a wooden leg? (Because wooden legs don’t take pictures)

Now you’re all set for your pirate adventure, finding shipwrecks in Brisbane on land and under the sea!