The Ceratodus II is the largest single structure on the Cochrane Artificial Reef. Tourism Queensland describes it as a 50 m vessel, and GoodDive lists it as a 164-foot barge placed in 1992, lying in 10-20 m – making it one of the first structures sunk on the reef and the most established in terms of marine growth. Marinelife.org.au lists a 50 m dredge and Ceratodus II as separate items, so the terminology varies between sources.

After three decades on the bottom, the hull is covered with sponges, soft corals and algae, and its height above the sand gives the reef much of its vertical relief. That relief is why it attracts schooling fish: GoodDive notes large schools of baitfish, tuna and barracuda over the wreck, and it is a likely place to meet the resident estuary cod and Queensland gropers that Tourism Queensland highlights at Cochrane. Wobbegongs rest in the lee of the hull, turtles feed on the growth, and stingrays lie in the scour along the sand line.

The structure is best enjoyed from the outside. At 50 m long it takes most of a dive to see properly at a relaxed pace, with the deck at a comfortable depth for Open Water divers and the sand line deep enough that Advanced divers will appreciate nitrox. There is no designed penetration and the barge is ageing, so stay out of enclosed spaces.

It suits divers who want a proper wreck dive close to Bundaberg without the long run to the Tobruk or the Karma. Pair it with one of the aircraft for the second dive to see the variety of the Cochrane reef.

Cochrane Artificial Reef lies about 3 nautical miles off the rocky Woongarra coastline east of Bargara. Charter and private boats launch at the Burnett Heads boat ramp beside the Port of Bundaberg (15 km north-east of Bundaberg on Burnett Heads Road; large trailer park, toilets). From the Burnett River entrance it is a short run south-east – roughly 20-30 minutes in a small boat.

The reef covers an area of about 400 x 800 m, and each structure has its own GPS mark, so boats either pick up a buoy where one is present or anchor in sand beside the target structure (never on the wreck). Bundaberg Aqua Scuba runs boat dives here when the weather allows; others come by private boat.

The reef is in open water off the Woongarra coast, partly sheltered from southerly ocean swell by K'gari but exposed to south-east trade winds and north-easterly sea breezes. Operators generally want winds under about 15 knots and seas under 1 m. Visibility averages 8-12 m and is best in winter (May-September) with light westerlies; it falls sharply after heavy rain as the Burnett and Elliott rivers flush brown water along the coast, typically in the December-March wet season.

Tidal current is usually mild but can run on big spring tides – dive around slack water on neaps for the clearest, calmest conditions. Manta rays pass through in winter.

Descend to the deck at about 10-12 m, then drop down one side to the sand at 18-20 m and swim the length of the hull, checking under the overhang of the hull for cod and wobbegongs. Come back along the other side and finish on the deck among the baitfish. Safety stop on the line.

Bundaberg Aqua Scuba (Bourbong St, Bundaberg) – boat dives to Cochrane Artificial Reef when weather permits, typically weekends or on demand; otherwise private boats from Burnett Heads. Fishing charters use the reef heavily.