The Tuncurry was a wooden coastal steamer built for work along New South Wales’ rivers and inshore trade, carrying everything from timber to general cargo. She represents an important chapter in the state’s maritime heritage, embodying the era of small but hardworking coastal vessels that kept regional communities supplied.

On 22 October 1916 the Tuncurry began taking on water while outbound from Sydney. Despite efforts to save her, the flooding increased and the crew abandoned ship; she sank soon after, settling on the seabed off Sydney’s northern beaches.

The wreck of the Tuncurry lies in roughly 60 metres of water off Broken Bay north of Sydney. Her hull has long since disintegrated, leaving the boiler, engine, propeller, rudder and a large mound of cement bags that were being carried as cargo. These surviving elements form a distinctive and interesting wreck site.