Discover the Shipwrecks of Homebush Bay

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Homebush Bay shipwrecks, including how to find them and the story behind how they ended up there.

Surprisingly, despite being relatively unknown to many Sydneysiders, the shipwrecks of Homebush Bay are quite easy to spot.

A family-friendly walking trail through a scenic landscape allows visitors to view these shipwrecks up close and discover more about their intriguing history.

Before heading out to explore Homebush Bay, it’s worth noting that the area is home to multiple wrecks.

The most photographed wreck is the SS Ayrfield. Many visitors focus solely on this iconic site, often unaware that there are other shipwrecks waiting to be discovered.

Map

There are two starting points for walking to the shipwrecks in Homebush Bay:

• P1: The Archery Centre car park (see location on map)
• P2: The Badu Mangroves car park (see location on map)

The map below highlights these car parks, as well as the five shipwrecks that can be found by walking along the shoreline of Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park:

These five shipwrecks are:

1. HMAS Karangi
2. SS Heroic
3. Unknown Shipwreck
4. SS Ayrfield
5. SS Mortlake Bank

If you’re short on time (or primarily interested in seeing the SS Ayrfield), starting from the Archery Centre car park is your best bet. There are a few publicly accessible paths between the apartment blocks that lead directly to the waterfront.

Once you reach the waterfront, the first shipwreck you’ll encounter is the SS Ayrfield. From there, cross the creek via Bennelong Parkway, and follow the walking path back to the waterfront to view the other wrecks.

For those with more time, beginning your walk at the Badu Mangroves car park is highly recommended. The trail meanders through mangroves and past the Waterbird Refuge, offering an enjoyable journey before reaching the shipwrecks.

The next section will cover the Homebush Bay shipwrecks along this extended walking track.

You may be wondering how these shipwrecks came to rest in the shallow waters of Homebush Bay. Contrary to what you might expect, there’s no tale of heroic seamen battling a fierce storm.

History

In reality, the area now home to these wrecks once served as a shipbreaking yard during the 1960s and 1970s. Old and unused vessels were brought here to be decommissioned and dismantled.

However, when the yard ceased operations, some of the shipwrecks were left behind. Over time, nature took its course, transforming these relics into “floating forests” and creating striking photo opportunities.

Walking Trail

As noted, the best way to explore these wrecks is by following the walking trail from the Badu Mangroves, through the Waterbird Refuge, and down to the southern end of Wentworth Point.

The Badu Mangroves represent the largest remaining intertidal wetland along the Parramatta River. A boardwalk winds through the mangroves, offering visitors an up-close encounter with this unique ecosystem.

Continuing along the trail, you’ll pass by the Waterbird Refuge, a 10-hectare wetland teeming with wildlife, including rare and endangered migratory birds.

1. HMAS Karangi

The first shipwreck you’ll encounter is located opposite the Waterbird Refuge.

Keep an eye out for a signpost and a bench, then peer carefully through the mangrove trees to spot the remains of the HMAS Karangi in the water.

The HMAS Karangi was a steel-hulled boom defence vessel, constructed at Cockatoo Island and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 1941.

2. SS Heroic

Positioned just behind the HMAS Karangi is the SS Heroic, which can be a bit difficult to distinguish for this very reason.

The SS Heroic was a steel-hulled steam tugboat, built in 1909 in the United Kingdom for a Sydney-based tugboat operator. It was brought to Homebush Bay in the 1970s to be dismantled.

3. Unknown Shipwreck

The walking trail continues northward, passing an observation tower and leading to a small peninsula (the official Shipwreck Lookout), where you can spot another shipwreck on your right.

The name of this vessel remains unknown, though it appears to be relatively small. Tucked away among the mangroves, it is close enough to touch.

From this unknown shipwreck, continue walking to the Shipwreck Lookout, where you can catch your first glimpses of the SS Ayrfield and the SS Mortlake Bank further to the north.

For a closer view of these two wrecks, continue north along the trail, cross Bennelong Parkway, and follow the walking path between the apartment blocks that leads back to the foreshore.

4. SS Ayrfield

That brings us to the most remarkable and most photographed shipwreck in Homebush Bay: the SS Ayrfield.

Originally launched as the SS Corrimal, it was built in England in 1911 as a coal-carrying vessel. During World War II, it was repurposed by the government to support American forces in the Pacific Ocean.

Following the war, the ship returned to commercial service before being retired in 1972 and brought to Homebush Bay for dismantling.

5. SS Mortlake Bank

The SS Mortlake Bank lies just behind the SS Ayrfield and can be viewed from the same vantage points.

This vessel was a steel-hulled steam collier constructed in the 1920s in the United Kingdom. After decades of service in Australia, it was eventually brought to Homebush Bay for decommissioning.

Once you’ve finished exploring the Homebush Bay shipwrecks, consider visiting the Brickpit Ring Walk. This elevated circular boardwalk above a large pond is a unique sight and offers impressive district views.