Review: See the Turtles & Hatchlings at Mon Repos, Bundaberg
Do you enjoy seeing turtles in their natural habitat? What about witnessing first-hand the astounding gift of creating life? Surprisingly, you can see Turtles laying eggs and the Hatchlings running down the beach with Tours at Mon Repos in Bundaberg.
But, when is the best time to see them, what to expect and my personal experience on the tours? Since I was a local to Bundaberg, I’ve been lucky to see both the turtles laying eggs and baby Hatchings several times, so you’re sure to find what your looking for here.
So, let’s get started!
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When Is the Bundaberg Turtle Season at Mon Repos?
Key Takeaways:
The Bundaberg Turtle Season at Mon Repos carries over the summer period each year from November to March, after sunset. However, the actual date for starting and ticket sales don’t open until a few months before the season starts.
But, the month you visit will determine what you see. For instance, turtles will lay eggs on the beach from November to January, and the Hatchlings will emerge around January to March. With that in mind, you could try your luck and see them both in January, but the way the groups are set up, you’ll likely only see one experience.
Review of my Turtle Experience!
Mon Repos is the small locality of Bargara Beach, which is 14 kilometres (20 Minutes) east of Bundaberg. The Mon Repos Turtle Centre is the only controlled Turtle Zone on Queensland’s mainland, with the Tourist information centre.
Note: It’s not uncommon for turtles to visit other beaches in other areas.
Overall Review
There’s no question about it – Yes, it is worth seeing the Turtles (Eggs or Hatchlings) at Mon Repos beach in Bundaberg. This is mainly due to its unique qualities and the unforgettable experience of witnessing life in the making. It’s ideal for those into natural wildlife encounters and after something unique.
However, I do prefer to see Turtles in the Wild, and I think the number of people that go through this facility in one night is a little excessive. On the other hand, money raised from this experience goes into research, preservation, future turtle survival, and the facility. Thus, increasing the Loggerhead Turtles population, around the world.
So, there are pros and cons to the experience and you can decide for yourself based on what I have detailed below!
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How much does it Cost?
Bookings are essential and can be made through the Bundaberg Tourist Information Centre HERE. The price for an Adult ticket is currently $28.60 AUD ($14.80 per child), although there are concessions or family discounts.
There are over 100-200 tickets sold per night, and groups are split into 20 to 40 people.
Your group allocation depends on when you book and how many other tickets have been sold. Therefore once Group One fills up, tickets for Group Two are sold, and so on! The longer you wait to purchase tickets, the later you will wait before going to the beach.
TIP – Don’t wait to book your tickets and get in the first group
Check-in and Waiting
Depending on your Group number, you’ll be expected to check-in at the Mon Repos Information centre from 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm. After you check in and get a numbered Group Sticker, you can wander around or read all the information at the Turtle Centre.
Why is it at night? Well, Loggerhead Sea turtles lay their eggs and hatch at night, typically between 9 pm and 5 am. Then, they will emerge from their sandy nests in the same time zone and follow the moonlight to the ocean waters.
So, since you could be waiting a while, it might be handy to bring snacks, a packed dinner, books, tablets, games, and some drinks. Conveniently, there are bathrooms, some snack foods available from vending machines, and detailed information for kids to learn about what they will see.
Note: The beach is off-limits until your Group number is called, and you must be around the Tourist info centre to hear the call.
When you’re called to the beach
Rangers are waiting on the beach for Adult turtles to appear or watching the existing nests for hatching. When either happens, your Group Number is called to the beach, and your guide will take you to the location.
Be aware that even if you’re in Group 1, you might be waiting at the Information centre until late, especially if the season has only just started or is about to end. Remember that you could be waiting around for hours and not get home until after midnight.
Note: I was in Group 1 for both visits – The Turtle Eggs, I was home at 1 am. The baby hatchlings, I was home at about 11 pm)
While you’re on the Beach
You will be walking anything up to 2 kilometres return, on soft sand, and in the dark. Torches up to 100 lumens are allowed, but you will be told when to turn them on or off.
My Turtle Laying Experience
It was around 930pm when our group was rounded up and guided down the beach to watch a Turtle laying eggs.
The guide will position the group around the back to watch the eggs being dropped into the nest (hole in the sand). All the while, the rangers kept the safety and well-being of the Turtle in mind and limited her disruption. However, this process took about 1 hour, watching 100 to 150 eggs laid.
Most of the time, low light is used to see the experience, and torches are not allowed, along with flash photography. There will be a short period you can take photos (as instructed by the guide), and ultimately, when I got my photo.
In the end, the Turtle laid her eggs and returned to the ocean. However, this is a longer process, and once it’s over, you’re guided back to the information centre to drive home.
Relocating the Eggs to Higher Ground
As it turns out, this egg-laying experience wasn’t over for us, and they had to be relocated to higher ground. Bundaberg is common for cyclones and waves (with high tides) that can erode the beach, along with the Turtle’s nests.
Therefore, some of them had to be moved to higher ground to increase their survival.
Some of the group returned to the Information centre, while others helped the rangers move the eggs to higher ground (including myself). Surprisingly, this will not happen with every egg-laying encounter, so I felt privileged to be a part of it.
My Baby Hatchlings Encounter
I visited Mon Repos 12 months later, in January, and this did not disappoint with seeing the baby Turtles! I was allocated to Group 1 again but thankfully with less waiting time, and it was about 730pm when our group was called to the beach.
The gestation period for hatching turtles is around 60 days (or eight weeks). If baby Turtles are being hatched, buckets are placed over the nest to hold up the process and wait for the group to get to the beach. The group is then split into two opposing rows, the rangers lift the bucket, and you will watch the baby turtles run down the sand between you.
Obviously, this is a quicker experience with the baby Turtle hatchlings quickly running into the ocean. Within a minute or two, they have disappeared into the water. You can see that for yourself HERE by checking out my daytime baby Turtle dash on YouTube.
Note: This Youtube video was taken on another one of Bundaberg’s brilliant beaches, but it was a random occurrence and nothing like what Mon Repos organise. Since a cyclone had washed away most of the beach, the ranger was there helping the turtles from higher ground.
Highlights & What to Expect!
- Seeing Turtles is never Guaranteed, but visiting around December & January is best.
- Bookings need to be done well in advance to secure your spot, although bad weather can stop it from going ahead.
- Wait times at the Information centre may be lengthy and It could be after midnight before you walk to the beach.
- You must be able to walk on uneven and soft, sandy surfaces. This could be up to 2 kilometres.
- Bring a light jacket for windy evenings on the beach.
- Flash Photography and Lights are only permitted at certain times, and your guide advises this.
Where to Stay?
Bundaberg offers the best of both worlds with the benefits of a big urban hub combined with the laid-back ambiance of a small town. Stroll along the meandering Burnett River, sit back, and relax in the lush greenery of the botanical gardens or explore the unique shops and cozy cafes in the impressive CBD architecture.
➡ Compare prices for Bundaberg Accommodation Here with Booking.com
You’re sure to find something suitable for your group from a staycation that has it all or a spot to escape to the beach.
What happens if it’s raining?
The Rangers will make a call on the day. Still, generally speaking, the tours will go ahead in all weather conditions unless it’s dangerous. If cancelled, you should be refunded or have the option to reschedule.
Why are Mon Repos turtles protected?
Mon Repos has the highest density of nesting marine turtles on mainland Australia’s east coast. In addition, this is the most prominent loggerhead turtle population in the South Pacific Ocean region, making successful breeding essential for this endangered species’ continuation.
Do turtles always return to the same beach?
Marine turtles are a unique bunch. Not only can they live up to 80 years, and for the duration of their lifetime, they almost always return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs. This means that most of us would never know if we ever saw the same turtle year after year at the beach.
Although many marine biologists and volunteers are making sure that we can have an idea of who is coming back every season. This is done by gathering data and tracking individual marine turtles as they make their way back home time and time again.
Where else can you see Turtles in Queensland?
You can visit a few Islands off the coast with some of the best snorkelling sites in Queensland to see adult turtles and/or hatching sites. Even better that they will be less crowded and a very different experience to Bundaberg.
Some of these Islands Include:
- Lady Elliot Island
- Lady Musgrave Island
- Heron Island
- Great Keppel Island
- Green Island
- Fitzroy Island
- Moreton Island
- North Stradbroke Island
Wrap up – Review: See the Turtles & Hatchlings at Mon Repos, Bundaberg?
Thanks for reading this blog today on my experience and review seeing the Turtle or Hatchlings on the Mon Repos Beach in Bundaberg. I hope you found the information you were looking for, but if you’re still researching, please check out my other Queensland Blogs for inspiration.
Other Blogs you might be interested in:
Things to see on a Brisbane to Cairns Road trip
How to Spend One Day in Bundaberg: Options for your Itinerary
Is Hervey Bay worth visiting & the Best Things to do
How to get to the Utopia Rock Pools in Mt Walsh National Park
