This is the only wreck site where permission is required to dive in WA with protected zone 500m around wreck. (Hazardous conditions apply – only few days per year where diving is possible)
Built:
1701 by VOC in Zeeland probably Vlissingen, Netherlands
Location:
On reef at base of cliffs, 62km north of Murchison River
Sinking:
En route from Wielingen to Batavia with approx 200 passengers and crew, a rich cargo including 248,000 silver coins and general cargo. Hit reef and cliff-face, crew and passengers believed to have survived.
Longitude:
113.936453417
Latitude:
-27.186114167
Gallery
Zuytdorp wrecksite looking west from the cliff top (Image – Phillip Playford)
Diver with silver coins before recovery by WA Museum
In 1927 a campsite (together with cooking pots and broken bottles) was discovered on cliff top near the wreck. No human remains were ever located leading to huge speculation as to possible fate of any survivors.