The fierce storms brought by ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred have done more than just cause chaos—they’ve also revealed pieces of Australia’s hidden history. Along the east coast, shifting sands have uncovered long-buried shipwrecks in New South Wales and Queensland, drawing the attention of locals and historians alike.
In Ballina, northern NSW, the remains of what’s believed to be The Comet, a paddle steamer wrecked in 1890, have emerged from the sand. Ron Creber, curator of the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum, says this area is known as a shipwreck graveyard, with around 64 wrecks recorded off the coast and in the Richmond River. Though parts of The Comet briefly surfaced last year before disappearing again under the sand, it’s now more exposed than ever.
“This is a dangerous part of the beach,” Creber warned, noting that the wreck lies right near a popular swimming area. Unfortunately, some visitors have already started damaging the site. Officials are urging people to admire the relic from a distance, as shipwrecks in NSW are legally protected, with hefty fines of up to $1 million for anyone who disturbs them.
Further north in Queensland, the wild seas have uncovered another famous shipwreck—the SS Dicky at Dicky Beach on the Sunshine Coast. This steamer, forced ashore in 1893 by powerful gales, had been a local landmark for more than a century before being buried for safety reasons in 2015. Now, its remains have once again broken through the sand, sparking excitement among locals.
John Groves, a historian who wrote a book about the SS Dicky, called the site an important part of the area’s heritage. In fact, Dicky Beach is the only surf beach in Australia named after a shipwreck. Photographer Tracey Keeley, who has captured stunning images of the wreck over the years, was thrilled to see it resurface. “It was such an iconic subject for photos, especially at sunrise,” she said.
Cyclone Alfred’s fierce winds and heavy rains have caused massive coastal erosion along Australia’s eastern seaboard, and maritime experts say more shipwrecks could still come to light. Byron Bay, which has seen significant beach erosion, might even reveal some of its own buried wrecks. “In just one night, five ships sank there in the past,” Creber noted.
As the storm’s aftermath continues to batter Queensland and NSW with heavy rain and flooding, more than 300,000 people remain without power. But amid the destruction, these remarkable discoveries offer a rare glimpse into Australia’s maritime past.
