Located on the Lonsdale side of Port Phillip Heads, the Lonsdale Wall extends for 1km, therefore providing many different dives. The Wall is characterised by an almost vertical drop. As you descend there is a slight step-out every 6-9m and behind each step-out there is a huge overhang which is easy to swim through. These overhangs support an enormous variety of fish, soft corals, sponges and other invertebrate life.
If you only have opportunity to do one dive in Victoria, make it Lonsdale wall. Just inside the rip near Point Lonsdale, the wall is a series of oversized steps starting at approximately 12 meters and ending in more than 60 meters. This site is approximately one kilometre long. The top is covered in kelp rapidly disappearing as you drop over the first step. The undercut nature of the steps gives sponges, ascidians, gorgonians and other invertebrates a chance to flourish without the kelp taking over. As with most dives in the rip it should only be dived at slack water. This is when the tide stops before changing direction. The wall runs along the flow of the current so it is a good idea to swim in a direction so the turning tide will bring you back to the shot line. You will need many dives on slack water to really appreciate the grandness of Lonsdale wall.
Depth 12-60 meters, Rating: All Levels
Expect to see: Sponges, ascidians, gorgonians and other invertebrates. The western blue devil fish is very common, along with magpie morwong, horseshoe leatherjackets, blue throat wrasses and long snout boarfish. Other fishes such as barber perch, banded sweeps and short fin pike tend to hang off the wall in mid water.
Photo Rating: 10/10