Known as one of the best wreck dives in Australia, diving the HMAS Perth is also one of the best dives in Western Australia. When it was in service, it was used by the Australian navy as a missile destroyer but after being decommissioned, it was purposively sunk to create a dive site in 2001.
Remnant shellfire from its action in the Vietnam War is still visible, and you can still see a lot of the ships original equipment with items such as large guns, the captain’s chair, and much of the bridge is still intact.
A dive trail has been set up along the 133-meter boat that divers can follow to learn about the ship. The artificial reef is quickly maturing with sponges and corals quickly taking over the wreck. On any dive, it is common to see Yellowtails, Samson fish, and cuttlefish. There have been sightings of batfish and humpback boxfish, whilst Wobbegong sharks have also taken refuge within the wreck.
A curious local Australian Sea Lion pops up occasionally to check on what divers on the wreck are doing, whilst big kingfish call in seasonally.
There is a 250-meter no-fishing zone around the wreck and as a result, to dive the wreck, a permit is needed.