The Shipwreck That Refused to Leave: Cherry Venture’s 34-Year Reign on Teewah Beach
On the quiet sands of Teewah Beach in Queensland, Australia, a mysterious rusted hulk once towered over beachgoers, drawing curiosity and cameras for more than three decades. That ship was the Cherry Venture, a Swedish-built cargo vessel that ran aground during a fierce storm on July 8, 1973.
Originally constructed in 1945 in post-war Sweden, the Cherry Venture was navigating the rough Tasman Sea when it encountered a violent storm. The ship lost steering and, pushed by powerful winds and waves, was driven ashore and wedged into the sands of Teewah Beach. Rescue crews tried multiple times to free the 1,600-ton vessel—but failed. The Cherry Venture was stuck, and it wasn’t going anywhere.
What followed was an unlikely transformation: from maritime disaster to Sunshine Coast legend. Covered in graffiti and battered by decades of wind, salt, and sun, the shipwreck became a bizarre tourist landmark. Travelers made the trek just to touch its rusted hull or take a photo beside the haunting skeleton of steel.
But in 2007, after years of corrosion and growing safety concerns, the Queensland Government decided to remove the wreck. Heavy machinery dismantled the ship, and by year’s end, it was gone—leaving behind only memories and a few hidden pieces buried beneath the sand.
Today, the Cherry Venture lives on in local lore, ocean history blogs, and the countless photographs captured by those who visited before it disappeared forever. Though the wreck is no longer visible, its story still echoes along the shorelines of Australia's Sunshine Coast.
Did You Know? A piece of the Cherry Venture's propeller is preserved and on display at the Tewantin Historical Museum.
Sources: ABC News Australia, Sunshine Coast Daily, Maritime Queensland Archives
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