The Beaufort bomber is Bundaberg's aviation-history dive. Bristol Beaufort A9-322 of No. 32 Squadron RAAF went into the sea on Christmas Eve 1943 about 15 km off Burnett Heads; all the crew were rescued. Bundaberg was a major RAAF training base in the Second World War and several Beauforts were lost along this coast, which makes this one of the few accessible reminders of that period underwater.

Don't expect an intact aircraft. Marinelife.org.au describes the wreck as dispersed by storms, small and distant – the remains are scattered pieces of airframe and engine on the seabed rather than a recognisable plane. The value of the dive is historical rather than scenic, and finding the debris requires an accurate mark. Visibility is usually good this far offshore and currents are slight, so conditions for searching are generally fair on a calm day. Fish life gathers around the metal as it does on any structure on open sand, and the wreckage is encrusted with growth.

As a Second World War military aircraft crash site, the wreckage should be treated as protected: the Australian Government considers RAAF aircraft wrecks Commonwealth property, so nothing may be removed or disturbed. The site is dived only by private boats and clubs; no operator runs it regularly.

For wreck enthusiasts it can be combined with Evans Patch nearby. For most visiting divers, Bundaberg's aviation interest is more easily satisfied at the Cochrane Artificial Reef, where two Mohawk aircraft and a King Air were deliberately sunk as dive attractions.

Launch at Burnett Heads boat ramp, 15 km north-east of Bundaberg, and run east from the Burnett River entrance about 15 km to the mark published by marinelife.org.au (24°45.145'S 152°35.750'E) – roughly 25-30 minutes in a small boat. The wreckage is small, low and dispersed, so an accurate GPS and a sounder are needed to find it; drop a shot rather than anchoring into the debris. No operator currently lists regular trips, so this is a private-boat or club dive.

The site is in open water off Burnett Heads with no shelter from south-east trades or north-easterly sea breezes; aim for winds under 12-15 knots and seas under 1 m. Marinelife.org.au notes generally good visibility with slight currents – dive near slack tide so you can stay on the small debris field. Summer rain can bring Burnett River plume water out this far.

Winter mornings are the most reliable window.

Descend the shot onto the wreckage and search in expanding circles, as the remains are small and spread out by storms. Use a reel or keep the shot in sight on the sand. Photograph but do not touch or move anything.

Return to the shot and ascend with a safety stop.

Commonwealth-owned military aircraft wreckage; no removal. Depth not published.

No regular operator – private boat or club dive from Burnett Heads; ask Bundaberg Aqua Scuba for local knowledge of the mark.