The Best Technical & Deep Dives in Australia
Depth, penetration or overhead requirements that put the site beyond recreational limits.
Beyond 40 m Australia has deep wrecks in Bass Strait, sinkholes in South Australia that go past 100 m, walls at Port Phillip Heads and in the Coral Sea, and cave systems under the Nullarbor that are measured in kilometres. All of these need technical, cave or CDAA training, appropriate gas and, in most cases, a local operator or club. The site pages carry the depths, permit requirements and technical notes.
1. Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves · SA
The Shaft
A 124 m deep sinkhole under a paddock near Mount Gambier, entered through a hole the size of a manhole. CDAA Advanced Cave rating.
Sinkhole/CenoteMax 124 mExpert/TechnicalCave/Cavern certificationShore accessMore in Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves →
2. Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves · SA
Kilsby Sinkhole
65 m of gin-clear water in a limestone sinkhole; the deep sections are for technical divers, the upper platforms open to recreational bookings.
Sinkhole/CenoteMax 65 mIntermediateTechnical (decompression)Shore accessMore in Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves →
3. Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves · SA
Tank Cave
More than 8 km of surveyed passage: Australia's most extensive cave dive. CDAA Advanced Cave only.
Cave/CavernMax 30 mExpert/TechnicalCave/Cavern certificationShore accessMore in Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves →
4. Nullarbor Caves · WA
Cocklebiddy Cave
One of the longest underwater caves in the world, under the Nullarbor. Expedition-only, with permits.
5. Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves · SA
Piccaninnie Ponds – The Chasm
A 110 m chasm in a spring-fed pond; currently closed to diving pending review, but the reference deep sinkhole of the region.
Sinkhole/CenoteMax 110 mAdvancedCave/Cavern certificationShore accessMore in Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves →
6. Port Phillip Heads · VIC
J5 Submarine
A WWI J-class submarine in 36 m in the Ships' Graveyard, the most intact of the four.
7. Port Phillip Heads · VIC
J4 Submarine
Her sister, in 28 m, with penetration options for trained divers.
8. Wilsons Promontory · VIC
TSS Kanowna
A 1902 passenger steamer sunk in 1929 off Wilsons Promontory, lying in 82 m. A Victorian technical classic.
9. Port Phillip Heads · VIC
The Cave (Lonsdale Wall)
The deep section of Lonsdale Wall at Port Phillip Heads, 60 m on a slack-water window.
10. Port Phillip Heads · VIC
Nepean Wall
The Rip's other deep wall, dropping to 65 m in strong current.
11. Rottnest Island · WA
Rottnest Ships' Graveyard
Perth's deep-water dumping ground, with intact wrecks from 30 to 200 m for the technical community.
12. South West Rocks · NSW
Fish Rock – The Wall
Fish Rock's outer wall to 40 m and beyond, with grey nurse sharks and pelagics.
13. Tasman Peninsula · TAS
Hippolyte Rocks
Tasman Peninsula pinnacles falling to 65 m, with seals above and sponge walls below.
14. Coral Sea · External Territory
North Horn (Osprey Reef)
The wall keeps going past 1,000 m; technical divers on Coral Sea liveaboards use it for deep wall dives.