Turtles
365 days of turtles
Mon Repos Turtle Centre is open 12 months of the vear for daytime experiences for you to learn about the special journey turtles and people have taken at Mon Repos, immerse in Turtle Tales, browse the Gift shop, and enjoy a snack in the Mon Repos Gidji Cafe. Visit the Centre website for details
Come experience the beautiful Southern Great Barrier Reef and snorkel alongside curious turtles in an effervescent coral lagoon all year round! Between November to March, turtle tracks paint the shores of Mon Repos Beach, Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island, as mother turtles haul themselves up sandy dunes to nest, and emerging hatchlings make the mad dash to the sea. Add more turtle to your holiday during this time with a Mon Repos Nightly Turtle Encounter, the only ranger-guided turtle encounter available on the east coast and home to the largest turtle rookerv in the South Pacific. Come discover the Bundabera reaion's rich turtle history and learn the importance of conservation with a dav or overniaht stav on the Southern Great Barrier Reef.
MON REPOS TURTLE ENCOUNTER
The 2024/2025 Turtle Season is almost here! Tickets for Mon Repos Turtle Encounter Tours will go on sale on Monday 2nd September at 12pm. If you'd like to be kept in the loop with information on the 2024/25 Turtle Season, please sign up to our e-news or follow us on Facebook for all the latest updates, holiday inspiration and deals.
SWIM WITH THE TURTLES
Continue your turtle encounter by spending a day on the beautiful Southern Great Barrier Reef swimming with the feeding mother turtles. Take a quick scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island or boat ride to Lady Musgrave Island and enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters teaming with vibrant coral and marine life. Explore these pristine islands with trained marine biologists, learning about this amazing eco-system. Pull on your snorkels and dive in! The waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef are home to magnificent (and curious) marine life like our friendly turtles and manta rays. Why not bring your underwater camera or go pro and grab an iconic selfie with a turtle?!
WHERE TO STAY
Whether you’re looking for the perfect next family holiday, a romantic getaway for two or an adventure-filled weekend away, we’ve got you covered. Sit back and relax after a day spent exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef and creating memories to last a lifetime in the town the turtles call home. With beautiful beaches lining Bargara and the Coral Coast, choose to be within walking distance of rolling waves and boutique cafes while being just a short 10min drive to Mon Repos Turtle Centre.
Reef Seasonality Calendar
Year-round get up close and personal with colourful fish and turtles in pristine corals, ledges and caves of the Southern Great Barrier Reef! Between November to March, turtle tracks paint the shores of Mon Repos Beach, Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island, as mother turtles haul themselves up sandy dunes to nest, and emerging hatchlings make the mad dash to the sea. Each year, the pristine waters off Bundaberg come alive with majestic southern humpback whales from July to November. Lady Elliot Island is known as the home of the manta ray, and you can also spot these peaceful creatures at Lady Musgrave Island year-round with peak season from May to August. Take a look at our reef seasonality calendar below for an overview of what you can experience on our reef!