This article first appeared in the inaugural issue of Family Holiday Destination’s digital magazine. View the original version here!
Discover Turtles at Mon Repos
‘’Who remembers what kind of turtle this is?’’ the ranger asked the kids, the majority of who were sitting on their knees in the sand around her. It’s past bed-time for most of the kids here, but despite this, my seven-year-old quickly recalled the answer.
‘’A Loggerhead!’’ he yelled out excitedly.
He shuffled over to me and whispered, ‘’Do you think I’ll get to hold one of the eggs?’’
Before I could answer, my daughter (aged four) whispered excitedly, ‘’Can I hold one too?’’
Photo: Jewels Lynch – Tourism Events Queensland
I quickly quietened them down and told them they’ll have to wait and see.
Luckily for them …
Luckily for them, they did indeed get to hold a turtle egg! The mother turtle laid her eggs a little close to the high tide line, so the rangers made the decision to move them higher up in the dunes. This was to maximise the chances of the baby turtles surviving.
As that this particular turtle laid a whopping 145 eggs, we all had the opportunity to carry an egg about 15 metres further up the beach.
The checkout operator at Aldi, the fuel station cashier and countless other random strangers were all treated to random turtle facts by the kids for weeks afterwards.
Visiting the Mon Repos Turtle Centre and heading out on a nightly tour is a memorable experience for the whole family. Add the turtle experience at Mon Repos to your Australian bucket list now!
Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland – Lauren Bath
Your Family Can Join in the Fun Too!
Each year, from November to March, you too can join Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Rangers at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre near Bundaberg on a guided tour to watch nesting and hatching marine turtles.
The nesting occurs from November to January and the hatchlings emerge from January to March.
As the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region, the success of the nesting and hatching at Mon Repos is critical to the survival of this endangered species.
Photo: Jessica Palmer
What to Expect on the Night Tour to see Turtles at Mon Repos
A shuttle bus will take your family from the car park at Mon Repos to the new $22 million world-class turtle centre. Here you will be placed in your Turtle Encounters group for the night.
The rangers “do the rounds’’ and when turtle activity is found, return to take their group.
While you wait your turn, there is plenty to do in the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. Here you can learn about turtles with interactive exhibits or just enjoy the cafe and gift shop.
The interactive exhibits are family-friendly, modern and feature a Junior Discovery zone. The kids can also read books or play with some kinetic sand in a stand-up sandbox.
Photo: Jessica Palmer
The adventure really begins when the ranger returns for your group! Feeling your way down a wooden boardwalk to the beach in the near dark is all part of the adventure. It’s important to turn off all lights, including mobile phones, as the light pollution confuses the turtles.
She averages 120 – 130 eggs at a time …
In the nesting season from November to January, you will witness the mother turtle lay her eggs. She averages 120 – 130 at a time!
If she lays them in a spot that rangers feel make them vulnerable, the eggs will be transferred to a more appropriate location a little further up the beach. The group may be given an opportunity to carefully help move the eggs.
Rangers will take measurements and record data on the turtle. If she has been previously tagged, they can radio back to base to get the previous data.
Pack your devices away to experience turtles at Mon Repos but keep it tucked away in your bag. The rangers will let you know when its ok to take photographs.
Photo: Rowan Bestmann
”My kids held hands as they followed her down the beach ….”
When our turtle had hidden her eggs and covered them back over with sand, the ranger indicated for the group to part. The massive turtle slowly made her way back down the beach to the waters edge in the dark. We followed quietly at a safe distance and lit only by moonlight, she could easily be mistaken for a large rock.
My kids held hands as they followed her down the beach, a little afraid of the dark and keeping close to the ranger. I was very aware this was a special moment for both them and myself to have the privilege to witness such a wonder of nature.
The mother turtle, who weighed approximately 100kg and was around 39 years of age, made the journey from the sand dune to the waters edge look hard. When she reached the depth of water that allowed her to move easier, she disappeared under the water and quickly moved out of sight.
I like to think she heard us all clapping and congratulating her as she reappeared and quickly disappeared back under the water one last time.
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
We were led back to the visitor centre where we had one last quick look around before the shuttle bus took us back to the carpark.
By now, it was a couple of hours past the kid’s usual 7 pm bed-time. Both fell asleep in the car, only to be carried to their beds in the day’s less than clean clothes.
Light Pollution is a HUGE Problem for Turtles
At night, hatching find their way from the nest to the ocean by moving towards the lightest horizon they see. If a landscape is untouched, this will be over the ocean. The hatchlings can travel quickly in the right direction.
However, nesting beaches are often found near camping areas, towns and resorts. The artificial lights on the horizon can confuse the turtles.
Hatchlings can head in the wrong direction and as dawn approaches, chances of survival are minimal. They become exhausted from wandering around, overheat or become a meal for a hungry bird.
Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland
We can make a difference by cutting the glow of lights during the breeding season. Whether you are a visitor, business or local resident, switch off unnecessary lights, close the curtains, face lights away from the beach, plant vegetation to create a light barrier and only use a small torch on the beach.
FACTS
Mon Repos is four hours and 20 minutes north of Brisbane, 15 minutes east of Bundaberg (home to Bundaberg Rum) and 10 minutes from Bargara beach.
The guided turtle encounters run seven nights-a-week during turtle tour season from November to late March. Only people on the guided tour are allowed on the beach at night during this time.
Bookings are essential and can be made through the Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre, online or by phoning 1300 722 099. Aim to arrive no later than 6:30 pm for shuttle bus transfer to the turtle centre with the tours leaving the centre from 7 pm to midnight.
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