Dive Victoria Group News

Ex HMAS Canberra now open for diving!
7th Dec 2009
As of 5th December Dive Victoria is taking bookings to dive the Ex HMAS Canberra. Dive Victoria has been granted exclusive access to 2 of the 4 moorings at the dive site allowing more frequent diving and ease of booking. Call now to book your seat as they are filling fast !!
Ex HMAS Canberra site survey conducted
22nd Nov 2009
We are happy to report that yesterday a Dive Victoria technical dive team was contracted to do a site survey dive on the HMAS Canberra for the government contractor the Birdon Group, to assess the readiness and safety of the site for recreational divers ahead of the sites public opening. The site is in fantastic condition perfectly settled listing to her starboard side. She has already established some growth over her and many different schools of juvenile fish were seen through out the dive. The dive through her proved to be far beyond what we possibly imagined. There are still dozens of features in place making each and every room exciting to explore. We were extremely pleased with the way the ship has been prepared and the subsequent cleanup of the items that came loose or were damaged when she filled with water. The dive showed that the site has been justified in remaining closed until the unstable and damaged items could be removed or made safe. We noted a couple of additional items that will need minor attention and should easily be completed by the commercial dive team during their next dives. We surveyed depths of key points around the ship and are pleased to say that there is plenty of this wreck safely able to be explored by Open Water certification divers and then the Advanced divers will enjoy exploring down to her maximum depth on the sand of 29m. Penetrating the wreck showed that even seasoned wreck explorers will enjoy exploring this wreck as the maze of rooms each with different items to view means many dives will be needed to truly explore her end to end. Whilst the ship has been made very safe with multiple entry and exit points through out, there is still a true feeling of exploring a real wreck with many over head areas making this a true wreck to respect. The mooring system appears to have been ideally placed being quite close to the ship and will allow for a good setup to facilitate efficient and safe access too and from the wreck. Whilst the sea conditions were very good, we have no reason to believe the surge effects even in larger seas will be any worse than is currently experienced on many of the Victoria other open sea sites. It was evident that many areas inside the ship will be protected form surge giving great opportunity to plan a dive to suit the conditions of the day. We conducted the survey dive using twin tanks and on Nitrox 32 gas and found that this site is perfectly suited to that sort of application giving us a long dive time and enabling us to work through the wreck upward deck by deck and still avoid decompression. This ship is spectacular and all the team agreed that is without a doubt the best scuttled wreck site any of us have dived. We look forward to the final clean up dives being completed over the next week and then the official clearance and opening of the site hopefully very soon after. A short video of the dive will be uploaded on various web sites once our report has been released from the contractor.
Ex HMAS Canberra - Parks Victoria Facts Sheet
10th Nov 2009
It's easier to dive the HMAS Canberra with the Dive Victoria Group
29th Oct 2009
It's official, Dive Victoria Group incorporating Dive Victoria and the Queenscliff Dive Centre is the only dive charter operator to be granted exclusive licence/access to Port Phillip Bays new dive wreck the Ex HMAS Canberra. What this means to the diving community is the Dive Victoria Group have two private morings at the wreck site eliminating the need to arrange, pay permits and book a 2 hour windows to dive the site. With the Dive Victoria Group, all you need to do is book on a dive with Dive Victoria in Portsea or the Queenscliff Dive Centre, it's that simple. Safe access to dive the site should be granted shortly so kept an eye out on our websites (http://www.divevictoria.com.au) to get in early.
She's Down !!
5th Oct 2009
The ex HMAS Canberra was sucessfully scuttled at 2 pm on Sunday, 4 October 2009. A large flotilla of private and charter boats gathered outside the exclusion zone from early on Sunday moring. Conditions out on the water were excellent for spectators. Many more people gathered a numerous vantage points on the dune coastline of Ocean Grove. Once everything was ready, the charges were fired and the ex HMAS Canberra sank gracefully from the surface to its new resting place in 28 metres of water off Ocean Grove. Now we await news from Parks Victoria as to when we'll be permitted to start diving the ex HMAS Canberra.
The Dive Victoria Group is Victorias leading dive charter operator, with centres in Portsea & Queenscliff and operating the leading fleet of custom dive vessels in Victoria today. We dive almost everyday and can help with everything you need to dive or snorkel.
The Queenscliff Dive Centre is Victorias premier dive facility. We operate over four custom dive boats to over 150 dives sites almost everyday and have our own in house accommodation lodge for up to 40 people. We also have our own indoor training pool making us the leading training facility in Victoria today from beginners through to instructors.
School Aquatics is the Dive Victoria Groups specific arm that caters for all your school activity needs around the water. From snorkel trips to learn to dive, just a day or stay in one of our purpose built lodges, you will find safe and enjoyable activities for all students of all ages.
The Salt House Group accommodation house is a beautiful place to escape to picturesque Queenscliff, Victoria. This converted guest house comfortably sleeps groups of up to 32 people in a range of bedding formats. It is the perfect way to visit Queenscliff and stay in the heart of town.
What a better way than to see the bay than from the water! With Bay Cruises we can take you day or night to see some of the fantastic sites that only can be seen from the water. Individuals or groups are welcome to partake in a range of tour cruises from 1 hour to half a day. You will enjoy your time onboard one of the fantastic Dive Victoria Group vessels and see some memorable sights.
Victoria is already considered as the best temperate water diving anywhere in the world but we are eagerly awaiting the jewel in the crown. The Ex HMAS Canberra is being prepared for scuttling on our door step. With over 150 dive sites to choose from the Canberra is going to be the perfect addition to make a visit to Victoria a must for every keen diver. The Dive Victoria Group is Victoria's leading dive charter operator and will have a range of packages from day visits to accommodation stays specifically tailored for every divers needs.


  Dive Victoria Group Pty Ltd
ABN: 84 121 085 390
37 Learmonth Street, Queenscliff, Vic 3225
General Enquires: Phone: (61 3) 5258 11 88 Fax: (61 3) 5258 3273
Email: info@divevictoriagroup.com.au
Confirmation Line: (03) 5984 0114