The Lady Darling was an 895‑ton iron steamer, built in Liverpool, UK, in 1864. Measuring 73 metres in length, she operated as a collier transporting coal along Australia’s east coast.

On 10 November 1880, while en route from Newcastle to Melbourne, the vessel struck rocks approximately four miles south of Montague Island. Despite efforts to reach shore, the ship flooded rapidly, forcing the captain and crew to abandon her. All personnel safely reached Montague Island. For several days, the ship’s three masts remained visible above the surface before the vessel settled into deeper water.

In April 1996, local divers rediscovered the wreck lying upright in 30 metres of water on sand near Mystery Bay. Today, the Lady Darling remains one of NSW’s most historically significant and visually striking wreck dives.

Photo and model credits Damien S, Scott W, Ben M, Dean C and Grant T.

For more info check out Michael McFadyen’s Scuba Diving Website.