Zanoni, Historical shipwreck in Gulf St Vincent, South Australia
The Zanoni is a shipwreck lying 18 meters deep in Gulf St Vincent with a length of about 44 meters. The wooden and metal structure remains largely intact, making its design and construction clearly visible to those who explore it.
The vessel was built in Liverpool in 1865 and sank in 1867 during a sudden storm while transporting bark and wheat. The disaster occurred in waters off South Australia under severe weather conditions.
The wreck displays how merchant ships were built in the 1800s, combining wood and metal to create sturdy vessels. Visitors can observe the construction methods that sailors and shipbuilders of that era relied on.
Access to the wreck requires a permit and is restricted to protect the site from damage. The area around it has a protected zone of about 550 meters radius that must be respected by divers and researchers.
The wreck remained hidden for over a century until abalone divers accidentally discovered it in 1983. This chance finding led to its legal protection as a maritime heritage site and made it an important underwater location for study.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
