The holiday destination of South West Rocks received some unusual visitors when between 9 - 12 January 1972, three vessels wrecked ashore. These were the ex-Sydney ferry, Sydney Queen and two-vehicular ferries, Lurgurena and Koondooloo. The vessels were under tow of the tug Polaris from Sydney to the Philippines when they stopped into the bay for repairs to a fouled cable. Another ferry under tow, the Koorongaba, was earlier lost off Crowdy Head. The three remaining vessels were transferred to a mooring in Trial Bay but broke free and washed ashore to become total wrecks. Their remains lie buried under the beach sand.
