Surprise as sub surfaces

A MYSTERY submarine has been spotted off the East Coast of Tasmania leaving tourists wondering if the Apple Isle is about to be invaded.

The last thing tourists expected to see at the secluded waters at Wineglass Bay was a submarine.

A Brisbane holiday-maker, who wished to remain anonymous, was caught by surprise yesterday afternoon but still managed to snap a photo of the stealthy vessel.

Staying at Orford with family, the tourist went on a day trip to Wineglass Bay Lookout where he saw the sub.

“It was a pretty unusual sight,” the man said.

“The last thing you’d expect to see is a warship.

“All the tourists were very interested.

“We went down to the beach and took a photo but couldn’t quite make out any writing on it.”

To make his visit to Tasmania complete, the tourist then spotted a pod of dolphins near the Wineglass Bay beach.

“We were swimming with dolphins and there was a submarine in the background,” he said.

“You would imagine it would be an Aussie vessel on some R and R.”

The beach at Wineglass Bay ranked No. 13 on a list of 101 best Australian beaches by author and beach expert Brad Farmer.

So perhaps the Australian Navy simply needed to verify this for itself.

The Tasmania Ports Corporation was not available to comment on what the vessel was doing in the state.