Heritage Tourism

Central Queensland’s Mon Repos beach has hatched the best turtle laying season in 28 years and it’s not too late to experience this natural wonder.

Around 400 endangered Loggerhead turtles have visited the coastline this season to nest at the largest rookery in the South Pacific Ocean.

Every year from November to March, Mon Repos near Bundaberg usually welcomes back around 200 to 300 nesting turtles and their hatchlings but this season has seen a dramatic increase in turtle numbers due to the ongoing conservation efforts of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers.

To manage impacts on threatened loggerhead turtles, turtle exclusion devices are now installed in fishing trawlers plus the establishment of marine parks and go slow zones for boats all help ensure the Mon Repos turtle experience remains one of the best nature experiences in Australia.

Loggerhead turtles generally don’t breed until the age of 30 but management practices since 1968 are helping these endangered species live a longer life so they can keep laying until they are around 60 years.

With some turtles coming from as far as The Gulf of Carpentaria and New Caledonia, Mon Repos has the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and the largest Loggerhead turtle rockery in the South Pacific Ocean.

Access to Mon Repos beach is restricted from 6pm during the turtle season so the best way to see these endangered animals up close in on a nightly guided tour from the Mon Repos Visitors Centre.

Spots are still available on February and March weekend and weeknight tours so there’s still plenty of time to visit Bundaberg and watch these tiny hatchlings embark on life’s journey, heading for the surf and survival. Otherwise book early for next season which is shaping up to be even bigger.

Bookings are essential for the Mon Repos turtle experience and tickets can be purchased at the Bundaberg Region Visitor Information Centre, by calling (07) 4153 8888 or visiting www.bookbundabergregion.com.au