The reef
Wheeler sits among a group of mid-shelf reefs off Townsville, with Lodestone, Helix and Glow reefs nearby, separated by deep channels. The reef has a sloping front, a reef flat and a back reef.
Dives range from about 2 m to 18 m. The reef is cut by gullies, canyons and small caves, with swim-throughs to explore. Large schools of reef and pelagic fish are common, and the coral cover is high, mostly branching Acropora.
Grey reef sharks
Wheeler is listed as an Important Shark and Ray Area because of its grey reef sharks, an endangered species. Tracking studies found the same sharks gathering here almost every day, and they rarely leave for other reefs. Aggregations were larger and lasted longer from May to August.
Zoning
The reef lies in a Marine National Park (green) Zone of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Diving and snorkelling are allowed, but no fishing or collecting. Check the current zoning map before you go.
What you might see
- Grey reef sharks
- Schools of reef and pelagic fish
- Acropora coral gardens
Nearby sites
- Reef dive · John Brewer Reef Coral Greenhouse, John Brewer ReefThe Coral Greenhouse is a large underwater sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor at John Brewer Reef, about 70–80 km off Townsville. It is the centrepiece of the Museum of Underwater Art and is visited by divers, freedivers and snorkellers.
- Boat dive · Off Cape Bowling Green SS Yongala wreckThe SS Yongala sank in a cyclone in March 1911 and now lies on open sand off Cape Bowling Green, south-east of Townsville. It is a protected historic shipwreck, the resting place of the 122 people lost with her, and one of the best-known wreck dives in Australia.
