Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail

Discover the shipwrecks of the Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail on the beautiful Yorke Peninsula. The Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail is the stretch of water which lies between southern Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. Captain Matthew Flinders named it on 27 March 1802 in honour of his ship HMS Investigator. Between 1849 and 1982, 26 vessels are known to have been wrecked in these waters, with the loss of more than 70 lives. Many of the wrecks are a haven for aquatic life and attract diving enthusiasts from around the world. Six land-based interpretive signs are located along the coastline to assist in the interpretation of the wrecks. The shipwrecks along the trail were selected for various reasons: the strange and tragic circumstances surrounding their loss; their historical significance; or because they provide a fascinating underwater experience for beginners and advanced divers alike. A number of wrecks still await discovery. The S.S. Clan Ranald forms part of this trail and is the only turret ship to have been lost in Australian waters. The extensive remains of the hull lying upside down provide an impressive sight to any visitor. It has been declared an historic shipwreck under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.