SS Ayrfield: Floating Forest - Unique Natural Wonder |
The Floating Forest of Australia: A Unique Natural Wonder
Source: Atlas Obscura
In Homebush Bay, Sydney, Australia,lies one of the most stunning and photogenic landscapes in the world : the SS Ayrfield, an old steamship transformed by nature into a "floating forest" .
Built in the United Kingdom in 1911, this ship arrived in Australia in 1912. For decades, it served as a cargo vessel and, during World War II (1939-1945) , it was used to transport supplies for Allied troops in the Pacific .
After the war, it continued operating in the coal industry until it was decommissioned in 1972 and moved to Homebush Bay for dismantling.
However, over the years , the structure remained in place, and nature took over . Trees and lush vegetation grew over the ship's hull , turning it into an awe-inspiring floating forest . Today, this phenomenon is a symbol of nature's resilience and an unmissable attraction for travelers and photographers .
Alongside the SS Ayrfield, other ships , like the SS Mortlake Bank, were also abandoned in the bay, though they are less known due to their difficult access . These shipwrecks are part of the region's industrial and maritime heritage , serving as a reminder of its history and transformation over time.
The floating forest is a striking example of how nature can reclaim and breathe new life into abandoned structures , turning them into breathtaking sights that captivate visitors....
Footnote: the ship is not floating. It is sitting on the bottom in shallow water. This photo was taken at high tide. In other photos where the tide is lower you can clearly see the tide marks on the hull. This part of Homebush Bay, known as breakers Bay, was a ship breaking yard before and during WW2. After the war the price of scrap collapsed and these ships were left in their partly dimantled state. If you look and google maps sattelite view you can see the outline of other hulls under the water.
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⊜ Homebush Bay, Sydney View Map
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