Barwon Banks is the big offshore reef of the Sunshine Coast – described by Visit Sunshine Coast as 'the most spectacular dive site on this part of the Sunshine Coast' and reserved for experienced divers because of its depth, distance and conditions. Deep Sea Fishing Co describes it as a large reef system running about 23 km north-south, 43 km off Noosa, in 35-120 m, and Visit Sunshine Coast places it 22 nm off Mooloolaba, with rocky reef rising from 50 m to 22 m.

The dive areas are the shallower parts of the bank, where Visit Sunshine Coast describes caves, ledges, bommies and gutters decorated with black coral trees, soft corals, gorgonians and sea whips. Clean offshore water feeds this growth and brings in big fish: schooling barracuda, trevally, rainbow runners and batfish, with turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, wobbegongs, gropers and leopard sharks. Bronze whalers and tiger sharks are noted as common, and DiveJourney lists caves, strong current and 'exceptional variety' of marine life.

For most divers this is a technical dive. The shallowest reef is at about 22 m and most interesting terrain is deeper, the current can be strong, and the site is 60-90 minutes from port – several hours from the recompression chamber in Brisbane. Nitrox or trimix, planned decompression, SMBs and a dedicated boat handler are standard; operators such as Manta Lodge have advertised specific technical charters rather than regular recreational trips.

It is also one of south-east Queensland's most famous fishing grounds, particularly for pelagic and deep-water species, so expect fishing boats on good days. For experienced technical divers who catch a flat day, Barwon Banks offers some of the best big-animal reef diving in southern Queensland.

Leave Mooloolaba via the Mooloolah River mouth (public ramps at Mooloolaba; charters from The Wharf) and run north-east about 22 nm – roughly 60-90 minutes in a fast trailer boat. From Noosa the reef lies about 43 km offshore via the Noosa bar. Deep Sea Fishing Co gives a reference mark near 26°32.6'S 153°31.9'E.

Drop a shot on the target structure and dive with a boat handler following the divers' SMBs; anchoring is impractical at these depths. Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre has advertised technical charters to the Banks.

Barwon Banks is in open ocean 40 km offshore and needs a genuinely flat window – winds under about 10-12 knots and seas under 1 m for the whole day – which Visit Sunshine Coast describes as 'perfect conditions'. The East Australian Current can run strongly over the banks, especially in summer, so drift-style diving with SMBs and live-boat pickup is standard. Winter westerlies give the calmest seas; afternoon north-easterly sea breezes in summer can make the run home rough.

Visibility is usually far better than inshore, often 20 m or more.

Descend a shot to the reef top at 22-30 m, dive into or across the current along the ledges and caves, and begin the ascent with enough gas for decompression. Deploy an SMB from depth and complete staged stops while drifting, with the boat following.

Technical dive: nitrox/trimix and planned decompression, redundant gas, SMB/reel, live-boat pickup; carry emergency O2 and a first-aid/evacuation plan.

No scheduled recreational trips – occasional technical charters (e.g. Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre 'Barwon Banks tech charter'); otherwise private boats with experienced crews.