The Lady Norman is the largest vessel on Curtin Artificial Reef, a 40 m coastal trader that Divernet's guide to the reef singles out for its size. Unlike most of the Curtin wrecks, which lie close together near the centre of the reef, she sits apart, about 50 m west of the tug Melbourne, so she is often dived as a destination in her own right rather than as part of a wreck-to-wreck swim. Her bulk makes her one of the best fish magnets on the reef.

The hull and superstructure are encrusted with sponges, soft corals and hydroids, and the typical Curtin cast gathers around her: Queensland groupers, often more than a metre long, hanging near openings; schools of sweetlips, trevally and barracuda; kingfish and cobia passing in the current; and turtles and wobbegongs resting on and beside the wreck. Macro life on the hull includes nudibranchs, lionfish, scorpionfish and, for sharp-eyed divers, frogfish and ghostpipefish. Like the rest of the reef, the Lady Norman is tidal and must be dived around the high-tide slack; at other times the current across the hull is strong.

Stinging hydroids grow on parts of the structure, so gloves are sensible and hands should stay off the wreck. Penetration is possible only for wreck-trained divers. Her size and position on the western edge of the reef make her a good choice for divers who have done the central cluster and want a larger single wreck.

The history of her service career has not been widely published; confirm details with operators.

Boat access. Brisbane charters (Brisbane Scuba from Manly Boat Harbour; Go Dive Brisbane; Brisbane Dive Academy) cross Moreton Bay to the western shore of Moreton Island in roughly 45-60 minutes. Private boats launch at Scarborough Boat Harbour, Manly or the Port of Brisbane-area ramps (Wynnum, Victoria Point for the south) and run north-east across the bay; the run is sheltered from ocean swell but can be choppy in fresh south-easterlies.

Divers with 4WDs can also take the MICAT vehicle barge from the Port of Brisbane to the Tangalooma area and drive the western beach (QPWS vehicle permit required). The Lady Norman sits on the western side of the Curtin reef, about 50 m west of the Melbourne.

The site is tidal: Moreton Bay's tides push strong currents along the western side of Moreton Island, so dive at the slack on the top of the tide – roughly 30-60 minutes after high water – when the current eases and the cleaner incoming water gives the best visibility. Avoid big spring tides and the ebb, which brings turbid bay water. Sheltered from ocean swell but exposed to northerly chop; clearest after southerly winds; poor after heavy rain.

Descend at slack high water and do a full circuit of the hull, then decide whether to cross the 50 m of sand to the Melbourne on a compass bearing if the current is still slack. Return to the line before the tide turns.

Brisbane Scuba, Go Dive Brisbane and Brisbane Dive Academy – as part of Curtin Artificial Reef trips.