|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diving in Tasmania -
A well kept secret of Australia
|
|
The myth of the lost city of Atlantis could well
have begun in the haunting underwater world off the coastline
of Tasmania and its many sister islands.
With visibility up to 40 metres, the unspoiled, temperate
waters teem with marine life; giant, ethereal kelp forests
rise up to 30 metres to the surface and canyons beg for
exploration.
Dolphins, whales, seals, sea horses and colourful Boxfish
abound – but watch out, the sudden appearance of a
thumping six kilogram southern rock lobster is a shock to
the system.
Off the Tasman Peninsula, rough hewn by centuries of wave
action, dive through 21 metres into the massive entrance
of Cathedral Cave.
|
 |
|
 |
The awesome power of nature has created a random kaleidoscope
of colour and shapes that defy gravity. Smaller caverns at
the back of the cave lead deeper into narrow tunnels and cross
passages. Tiny invertebrates cover the walls.
At Bicheno, on the east coast, odd-shaped openings are clustered
around large granite boulders that lean haphazardly against
other as though tossed by a giant hand.
|
|
Beyond about 25 metres, the underwater fantasy continues with
the delicate lace of sponges in paintbox yellow, red, orange and
blue.
Maritime history has left a trail of 480 shipwreck sites around
Tasmania and the nearby Bass Strait islands, which include the
Furneaux Group. Ancient mariners discovered at their peril that
King Island was one of the trickiest to circumnavigate and 60
ships sank near the island – off the north west tip of Tasmania
- in the decades after 1800.
Many sites are protected, including the steamship SS Nord, which
went down near Tasman Island in 1915. The superstructure has collapsed
but she still resembles a ship and it’s easy to spot brass
fittings and Chinese crockery.
|
Resources:
|
|
|
|
|
