Fantastic Flinders
Flinders Reef is a small isolated reef near Moreton Island, 5km north-west of Cape Moreton in South East Queensland. It has the highest number of coral species of any sub tropical reef system along Australia's east coast and is the nearest true coral reef Brisbane. Flinders Reef is one of Queensland's most popular dive sites. The reef is protected within the Moreton Bay Marine Park and is monitored by the Reef Check conservation program. There is a second Flinders Reef in the Coral Sea located at 120 nautical miles north-east of Townsville. There is a weather station located there that is monitored by the Australian Government. A third Flinders Reef exists offshore from the town of 1770.
The reef has more than 175 fish species. There are more species and varieties of corals in this one area than any other single reef on the Great Barrier Reef. The diverse amount of marine life include schools of Wrasse, Sweetlips, Trevally, Parrot fish, Bat fish, turtles and tropical fish. Manta Rays, Wobbegongs and Leopard Sharks are among the larger creatures that reside here. Sightings of Whaler sharks are sometimes seen on the eastern side of Flinders. In wintertime, from June to September Humpback Whales can be seen on the surface as they pass by.
In 1986 the Cementco was sunk north of Flinders Reef and became a popular dive site. A few months ago the wreck of the Hustler III was discovered on the west side of Flinders Reef. This vessel struck Flinders Reef on 1 October 1986, but the exact location wasn't found until a few months ago.
