Australian_Geographic_-_August_2015_AU_.

July–August 2015 27

DESTINATIONS

JUSTIN GILLIGAN

In the company of sharks

H

IDDEN FROM view in the

Pacifi c Ocean, endangered grey

nurse sharks visit a complex

highway of rocky reefs during their

annual migration. These sharks –

which were the subject of our fundraiser

in the previous issue – typically mate in

NSW in spring, after which females

migrate north to southern Queensland.

Here they spend about six months away

from sexually mature males, before

returning south to NSW in late winter

and early spring, where they give birth

at a series of sites.

At the centre of this distribution

range is Port Stephens. Near this

natural harbour, on the coast of the

NSW Hunter Region, are sprawling

reefs where tropical and temperate

In the waters off Port Stephens, divers come year-round to experience a

vibrant realm of reefs inhabited by endangered eastern grey nurse sharks.

currents collide to form a shark aggrega-

tion hotspot. Here, groups of grey nurse

sharks shelter within steep-walled gut-

ters and under rocky overhangs among

the corals, and it’s not uncommon for

divers to encounter males and immature

females year-round.

Decorated with a diverse array of

sponges and invertebrate life, these reefs

are also home to other charismatic

marine species, including the weedy

seadragon, giant cuttlefi sh and blue

grouper. In recent years, hundreds of

divers have been drawn to these waters.

Some of the most popular sites are amid

the gnarled nooks and crannies off

Broughton Island, and are suitably

named Shark Gutters, Looking Glass,

East Head and North Rock.

One advantage for novice divers is

that, compared with other popular grey

nurse reefs, these areas are at shallow

depths and easily reached.

“North Rock is fantastic and I’ve had

some amazing days at the Looking

Glass,” says Emma Challen, a local

diving guide. “It’s a huge crack that runs

through the island and the light is just

awesome. During one memorable dive,

we had 20 sharks circling among a giant

school of yellowtail scad when a massive

bull ray came and swam through the

middle,” she says. To dive with the grey

nurse sharks off Broughton Island

should be on every diver’s bucket list,

argue locals, as these sites must be seen

to be believed.

JUSTIN GILLIGAN

Coastal cruising. Learn more about the sharks of

Port Stephens on the AG Adventures TV series, show-

ing on Channel Nine and WIN in July. Full details at:

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/AGadventures.

Port Stephens

SYDNEY

NEW SOUTH WALES