History & Heritage

As an island colony and later state of the Commonwealth of Australia, Tasmania has always been fundamentally dependent on shipping services to connect it to the outside world. However, lying in the path of the winds known as the ‘roaring forties’, the waters around Tasmania have proved treacherous to mariners.

Since the wreck of the ship Sydney Cove in 1797, around 1,000 vessels of all sizes are known to have been lost in Tasmanian waters. Less than 10 per cent of these shipwrecks are presently known, making the identified sites an important part of our national maritime heritage.

While many shipwrecks can only be visited by suitably qualified divers, material from the wreckages can also be seen on the sea shore or in tidal zones. Many shipwreck sites are often left unlocated or undisturbed for years and some natural processes of decay and decomposition are stopped or substantially slowed in the underwater environment. For these reasons shipwreck sites are time capsules that can open a window into history.

The historic sites are managed by the Historic Heritage section of the Parks and Wildlife Service of Tasmania. From its base in Hobart the Branch is actively involved in researching, locating and surveying shipwreck sites. It is also an actively involved in the conservation and display of artefacts

Shipwrecks and the Law
Shipwrecks in Tasmanian waters are protected by Commonwealth and State legislation. These laws recognise the historic and cultural significance of the shipwrecks and ensure their preservation.
Members of the public are welcome to visit these historic shipwrecks, however, the law prevents the collection or disturbance of artefacts and the site itself.

Shipwreck Profiles
The Wreck of the Brahmin
The Tasman Bridge Disaster

For more information on shipwrecks in Tasmania and individual profiles, please see Parks and Wildlife Tasmania.