Disney’s Shipwreck Hunters Australia hit screens around the world this week, as a team of adventurous divers and underwater filmmakers along with expert maritime archaeologists from the Western Australian Museum, hunt for long-lost shipwreck secrets in remote locations off the coast of Western Australia.
WA’s own Nush Freedman, an underwater camera operator based in Exmouth, gateway to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park in WA’s Coral Coast, stars as one of five divers and the only-female Shipwreck Hunter.
Here she dives into her love of WA’s marine life biodiversity to share her personal journey, including some of WA’s best kept secrets, and how anyone no matter what their diving experience, can explore underwater.
Nush Freedman swims with manta ray. Disney Australia
How did you become an underwater camera operator filming wildlife?
My whole life I’ve been obsessed with the ocean. That journey started when I moved to Exmouth, as the marine life on Ningaloo Reef is so beautiful—it’s my favourite part of the world. I had already done underwater photography as a hobby and I didn’t know you could do it as a job. I was meant to do one year in Exmouth and I can’t leave because I love it so much.
What makes Ningaloo such a dreamy place to dive?
Ningaloo is so special. It’s because of the great mix of the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo as a fringing reef - you step off the shore and you’re right amongst all our corals and fish. Where else can you swim with whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays all in one day? We also get to see orcas and blue whales passing through.
What is your favourite shipwreck dive spot in WA?
I have two favourites. One is in the Montebello Islands and the other is the Trial Shipwreck. We left from Exmouth to go to the Montebellos – I love that place because it’s so unique and remote and the wildlife is incredible. We were diving on an over 400-year-old wreck seeing huge anchors and canons lying on the sea floor surrounded by fish and reef sharks. In the Montebellos there’s a famous character called Dot, a Queensland grouper, and she came and lived under our boat for the time we were there. She was a special part of our trip.
The new shipwreck we found was off Dampier. We got lucky to explore the Dampier Archipelago, which is an incredible part of WA that I don’t think a lot of people have explored. We were lucky to see humpback whales migrating through. The wreck was a magnet for wildlife and the scenery itself was amazing as you travel through islands of rocky cliffs and red and blue hues of rock and water.
Do you have advice for people who want to learn to scuba dive?
The number one thing is to have a buddy when you’re free diving, snorkelling or scuba diving. That’s always going to make every situation safer.
I know the ocean can feel intimidating and it’s also beautiful, so if you give it a chance your eyes will be opened. If you’re having doubts, go out with a tour operator anywhere up and down the coast. See the whale sharks in Exmouth or manta rays in Coral Bay, or snorkel at Rottnest Island, there are so many different experiences you can try for beginners. Eco-tourism in Western Australia is so incredible with many amazing experiences, that’s it well worth doing. The whale sharks are so special—they’re such huge animals, but they’re also gentle giants so you can feel safe.
What is the ultimate WA underwater adventure?
I don’t think you can beat Ningaloo. I’ve had the most incredible marine experiences there. In Ningaloo getting out on one of the boat charters to explore the reefs, see the whale sharks, and see the humpback whales on their migration – that’s an epic jam-packed full on adventure day. Also going out on our own boat and exploring the reef with our dog – it’s what a lot of people do when they come to Exmouth. They tow their boat and bring their family and see so much in one day.
Do you have a dream WA getaway that’s on your bucket list?
I haven’t spent too much time exploring the Kimberley. I’d love to see more because it is so special and I had a bit of a glimpse this year, when I to the Dampier Peninsula, which is the edge of the Kimberley. My mind was blown. I’d love to get to El Questro and explore a bit more of the gorges. The red earth and the blue water are incredible. It’s ancient there.
What’s WA’s best kept secret? Any local tips?
A place a lot of people bypass is going through Shark Bay and on to Dirk Hartog Island. You can drive your car on to the ferry and camp on the island. It’s a truly beautiful place. It has a lot of elements about WA that we all love, like accessibility, beauty, and exploring. They have one of largest logger head turtle sanctuaries in the world. It’s a well-kept secret. Also, everyone talks about Ningaloo, but no one as much talks as much about the Exmouth gulf. You get these incredible animals – sharks and manta rays are abundant and there’s incredible camping on the coastline – it’s different and unique and home to many critically endangered animals and somewhere we need to protect and understand.
You must be excited to see your home state showcased in Shipwreck Hunters Australia.
Definitely. On Shipwrecks Hunters Australia we’re showing WA to the world. I don’t think any other show has done that before - especially because some of the places we go to will be seen for the first time for so many people across the world. And, also the fact that we made new discoveries that are globally significant and that’s going out to the world.
How can people follow your journey, since these shipwrecks are remote?
Some of the wrecks are really remote, but at Abrolhos islands, you can jump on eco-tourism vessels and they take you to some of the wrecks. At Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth, there are shipwrecks we explored for the series doing practice dives. In all of the locations, you can go scuba diving, but some are quite remote so you need to have your own vessel or charter. But in Geraldton, Exmouth and Perth you can get on an expedition vessel.
About Shipwreck Hunters Australia
Through six episodes discover dramatic stories and incredible wildlife, where decks and gangways are taken over by corals and reef fish. From the most horrific mutiny, the Batavia in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, to world-class diving on the HMAS Swan off the coast in the Margaret River Region.
Dreaming of an underwater adventure?
Discover four spots to explore in Western Australia.
Nush Freedman. Disney Australia
Published October 2022.