Tour rookery overview
Mon Repos
Mon Repos Conservation Park has the largest concentration of loggerhead turtle nesting on the mainland eastern Australian coast and is one of the two largest loggerhead rookeries in the South Pacific Ocean. Nesting occurs between October and February and is dominated by loggerhead turtles, with occasional nesting by green and flatback turtles.
The nesting beach has had long-term protection from threats including light pollution and predation of eggs. Monitoring has occurred since 1967, and currently occurs full-time from November to March to intercept every nesting female. There is a substantial history on the nesting individuals, which is easily conveyed to visitors through radio contact with researchers in the lab.
From November to March, up to 300 people per night visit the beach through guided tours run by the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency to watch turtle nesting or hatchling emergences. There is an interpretative visitors centre next to the beach which has static displays, films, and slide shows before people go onto the beach.
Information about Mon Repos can be found HERE
Information about the Bundaberg region HERE
Transport
Mon Repos Conservation Park is situated on the mainland coast, 15 km from the town of Bundaberg, and from Brisbane is approximately
- 50 mins by plane or
- 4.5 hrs drive or
- 4.5 hrs by tilt train (longer if it is not the TILT train)
Accommodation
The closest accommodation to Mon Repos is the Turtle Sands Tourist Park and Holiday Retreat (ph:+ 61 7 4159 2340, www.turtlesands.com.au Internet booking not available use phone or fax).
Bargara Beach Caravan Park has cabins and camping (www.bargarabeach.com.au) and is located in the nearby seaside township of Bargara.
Other accommodation in Bargara can be found using various search engines, e.g. www.queenslandholdiays.com.au
Curtis Island
Curtis Island supports a medium density nesting population of flatback turtles (Natator depressus), nesting between late October and late January. Monitoring of flatback turtles on Curtis Island began in 1970, with sporadic monitoring until 1992 when annual monitoring began. The population has remained reasonably stable, with approximately 3 to 8 turtles per night during the peak of the season.
For more information on nesting turtles at Curtis Island see HERE & HERE
Transport
Curtis Island is situated off the mainland coast between Rockhampton and Gladstone. From Brisbane, Gladstone is
- 1 hr by plane or
- 7 hrs drive or
- 7 hrs by tilt train
Transfer to and from the island from Gladstone is by Curtis Ferry Services (ph: +61 7 4972 6990, www.curtisferryservices.com.au - look under regular harbour ferry services for the timetable. Does not run on Tues or Thurs).
Accommodation
The only accommodation is at Capricorn Lodge at South End (+61 7 4972 0222, capricornlodge@hotmail.com Internet booking not available).
Supplies
Groceries need to be purchased whilst in Gladstone and taken to the island.
Heron Island
Heron Island is a popular tourist attraction within the Great Barrier Reef, and boasts magnificent reefs off the beach teeming with fish and other marine life. The coral cay supports a significant population of green turtles and lower abundance of loggerhead turtles. Green turtles nest on Heron Island from October to April, with annual breeding abundance of up to 1800 turtles. Monitoring has occurred sporadically since 1964, with annual monitoring since 1974.
The dense Pisonia grandis forests support an abundance of bird life including tens of thousands of noddy terns and wedge-tailed shearwaters. Visitors are able to snorkel off any of the beaches and the diving is spectacular.
The island hosts a tourist resort as well as a field research station for the University of Queensland.
Transport
Heron Island is reached from Gladstone. From Brisbane, Gladstone is
- 1 hr by plane or
- 7 hrs drive or
- 7 hrs by tilt train
Island transfers to Heron Island from Gladstone are by boat or helicopter. Island transfers can be booked through Voyages Heron Island .
Accommodation
The only place to stay is the Voyagers Heron Island resort (www.heronisland.com). Bookings can be made online for accommodation and for transfers.