• See adult turtles laying their eggs. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• Watch hatchlings race down the beach to the water. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• Only about one in 1000 hatchlings survive to sexual maturity. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• Help create a pathway for the hatchlings heading to the sea. Photo credit: © Rowan Bestmann for Tourism and Events Queensland

Features

From November to late March, visitors have a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of a turtle’s world—at least for one night!

Mon Repos is special! It supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. The success of nesting and hatching turtles at Mon Repos is critical for the survival of the endangered loggerhead turtle.

Witness an ancient life cycle of the animal kingdom as majestic sea turtles make their journey to the shore to lay their eggs. Delight at the sight of their young, hatching weeks later, and making their perilous journey to the sea.

To protect nesting and hatching turtles, only Turtle Encounter tour participants are allowed on Mon Repos beach after 6pm to witness this incredible natural journey.

Book a spot and join our Park Rangers on a guided Turtle Encounter tour for your chance to see majestic female turtles laying their eggs (November to early February) or watch young hatchlings dig free and hustle down the beach (late January to end March). From late January to late February, when both nesting and hatching turtles are active, your tour group will be guided to the event that is ready at the time. Depending on the turtles' activity that evening, you may witness either a nesting turtle or hatchlings.

Primary and Secondary schools can also book a Turtle Encounter tour—it is an exciting way for your students to learn about turtles, their conservation and the important turtle research that scientists are undertaking.

Things to know before you visit

Turtles are wild marine animals—unlike people they don’t watch the time!

• A turtle’s arrival can’t be predicted—some nights multiple turtles arrive early, sometimes only a few arrive at a time, and some turtles arrive after midnight.
• Expect to wait for your Turtle Encounter tour—pack a favourite book or similar activity that is easy to carry and not disruptive for other guests.
• Your total visit time to Mon Repos Turtle Centre for night tours can be up to six hours.
• On nights where multiple turtles arrive early, there are enough turtles for multiple tour groups to go onto the beach at the same time for an early night experience. When individual turtles arrive throughout the night, your tour might begin as late as midnight.
• Occasionally turtles do not arrive or hatch. While this is unusual, we can’t guarantee you will see nesting turtles or hatchlings.

Turtle Encounter tours may be cancelled at short notice due to severe weather conditions. Ticket holders will be notified of any cancellations via text message and email.

A good level of fitness is required for the Turtle Encounter tour—for up to two hours you will be outside on the beach, with minimal lighting. Visitors need to be able to:

• Walk through sandy conditions for up to 1.6km (return journey) at night in the dark.
• Stand on uneven, sandy surfaces for approximately two hours.
• Traverse soft sandy surfaces, including short steep sandy sections on vegetated dunes, and boardwalk ramps.
• Keep pace with a large tour group in the dark.

Am I able to do a Turtle Encounter beach tour?

Turtle Encounter night tours can be a rewarding experience, but they come with certain challenges that may affect your ability to participate comfortably and safely.

Accessing the turtle event requires walking in the dark—once on the beach, you’ll encounter uneven dunes, vegetation, and soft sand, which is physically demanding. The walk and time on the beach can be strenuous.

The wait period can be challenging for families with young children.

Some factors that may make the tour unsuitable for you include:

• fear of the dark
• difficulty walking over uneven surfaces in the dark
• limited flexibility or mobility in soft sand
• use of crutches or mobility aids
• ability to keep up with the large tour group over 1.6kms
• children who may not be able to stay up late—tours are not recommended for young children.

If any of these concerns apply to you, it’s worth considering whether this type of tour aligns with your needs and abilities.

Wheelchair accessibility

Due to the sandy beach and steep access points, conventional wheelchairs are not suitable for this tour. Some all-terrain wheelchair users may be able to access this tour. The tours are on a soft, sandy beach at night and up onto the foredunes where turtles nest. For further information about access for people with mobility disabilities, contact the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

Turtle Encounter group allocation

Up to 300 visitors are accommodated each night across five groups of 60 people.

Please be aware that turtle activity varies each evening. Tour groups may experience extended waiting times, with departures either occurring close together or spread out over the night, depending on the turtles’ behaviour.

There is no fixed schedule for beach tours, all visitors are required to wait at the Turtle Centre until the turtles arrive. Some visitors may choose to go home before their group is called to the beach.

• Please note:
  • groups are large—60 people
  • groups are allocated based on booking date
  • group requests and personal preferences can’t be accommodated.

Turtle Encounter group allocations are finalised on the day of the tour to account for any customer cancellations or booking adjustments.

Turtle Encounter group tour basics

Turtle Encounter groups will be guided to the beach by Park Rangers and Turtle Guides when turtles arrive.

• Each group must stay together for the duration of the event, up to 2 hours.
• There is no opportunity to return to the Turtle Centre on your own.
• Your Ranger or Turtle Guide may need to speak loudly to ensure everyone in the group can hear clearly.

Why do Turtle Encounter tour groups have 60 people per group?

• Groups of 60 people gives visitors the best chance of witnessing turtles on the beach.
• The tour group also acts as a light barrier for the tour, helping shield the Ranger or Turtle Guides torch light from the beach to ensure other turtles aren’t impacted by our presence.

What time do Turtle Encounter tour groups go to the beach?

To help you understand wait times and what time you should arrive on the night, please check the below table and following information.

Tour Group activity 2025–26 season	November	December	January	February	March
First Group average time to beach	7.30pm	7.10pm	7.15pm	7.00pm	7.15pm
Last Group average time to beach	8.35pm	8.45pm	9.45pm	9.00pm	8.45pm
% of groups to beach before 8pm	56%	52%	36%	47%	51%
% of groups to beach between 8–10pm	40%	33%	51%	43%	45%
% of groups to beach between 10pm–12am	4%	15%	13%	10%	4%
Latest time a group went down	10.40pm	11.25pm	11.45pm	12am	10.45pm
Number of nights a group went down before 7pm	8	9	6	14	10

Nesting turtles can come ashore at any time, and they prefer the cover of darkness. While some nights may see turtles arriving a few hours before or after the high tide, there are also nights when turtles don’t emerge until closer to low tide. For this reason, tide times are not a reliable indicator of turtle activity.

Hatchling turtles emerge from their nests when the sand cools, which can happen at any time after sunset. On warmer nights, when the sand takes longer to cool from the day’s heat, the wait may be extended.

Arrival Time

The Turtle Centre opens from 6pm, but there is no need to arrive before or right at opening time. Please be at the centre before the 7pm tour briefing.

Be aware that a turtles may occasionally arrive early and the first group might head to the beach from 6:30pm. Check the Tour Group Activity table to help inform your decision on arrival time.

Turtle Centre Night Program Schedule:

• From 6pm: the Mon Repos Turtle Centre opens.
• 7pm: Tour briefing in the outdoor amphitheatre.
• 8–10pm: Ranger talks and Kids’ activity session.
• Throughout the night: Explore the Turtle Tales self-guided immersive room, watch nature documentaries, enjoy games and books, or chat with our friendly volunteers.

Note that turtle activity on the beach may occur at any time and can interrupt the Centre’s program.

What to Expect—Mon Repos Turtle Centre

The Turtle Centre comes alive during the night program, creating a vibrant and busy atmosphere. As turtle season occurs in summer, the centre can get quite warm, particularly during peak times.

Seating in the main hall is limited, we recommend making use of the outdoor amphitheatre or nearby seating areas. In Turtle Tales, the theatrette offers seating for up to 50 people, with additional seating available in the display area.

If you or anyone in your group needs a quiet space during the night, we suggest making use of the outdoor seating areas. Please be aware that outdoor lighting is kept to a minimum to adhere to best practices for protecting the turtles.

Plan ahead!

For the best Turtle Encounter experience please bring:

• Suitable walking shoes for the sandy environment, including rock and shell areas.
• A jumper or a windcheater—it can be cold and windy on the beach.
• A rain jacket (umbrellas are not permitted on beach).
• Water bottle (a water refill station is provided at the Turtle Centre), snacks and insect repellent.
• Patience—turtle arrival time is unpredictable.
• Know the light restrictions—it is essential that you pack to follow light restrictions:
  • Light up shoes and glow sticks are not permitted.
  • When permitted, only torches of 100 lumens or less can be used.
  • Photography and filming are only permitted during the designated photography time periods announced by your tour guide. During this time only photography (limited flash and mobile phone use), videoing without constant light, and use of devices that do not emit a visible external light, such as a GoPro, are permitted.
  • Place all mobile device screens and smart watches on theatre mode and store devices safely in your bag before departing on your guided Turtle Encounters tour. We recommend you familiarise yourself with the screen turning off options and other features of your devices before your tour.

Before you visit, read about:

• Mon Repos Conservation Park Conditions of entry (PDF, 344.3KB)
• Cut the glow program to understand why there are artificial light restrictions during Turtle Encounter tours to protect endangered marine turtles and learn how you can help protect marine turtles.

On the night

While Park Rangers, Researchers and volunteer turtle guides patrol the beach for turtles, you can spend time exploring the Turtle Centre to learn more about amazing marine turtles. Join the tour briefing at 7pm and other Ranger-led activities throughout the evening.

As female turtles arrive to nest or hatchlings begin to emerge, tour groups are progressively gathered and your adventure truly begins.

When you hear your Turtle Encounter tour group number called:

• Gather your family or social group together and follow instructions from Park Rangers and volunteer turtle guides.
• Switch off or set mobile and wearable device screens, including smartwatches, to theatre mode and keep them stored away.
• Always listen to Park Rangers and turtle guides on the beach and follow their instructions.
• Keep lights off, avoid sudden movements and remain with your allocated group. Nesting turtles are easily disturbed by artificial light and movement especially when leaving the water, crossing the beach and digging their nests.
• Wait for your Turtle Encounter tour guide to let you know when you can take photographs—there is a designated time during the viewing when limited flash photography, videoing without constant light, and using devices that do not emit an external light, such as GoPros, are permitted.

Share your experience

When you are back in the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, if you have been lucky enough to capture a great photo of your turtle encounter, why not post your photo on Instagram and tag #QldParks and #southerngreatbarrierreef.

Drop by the Turtle Centre information desk after your tour. For a donation you can take home a certificate with information to remember your experience and show to your family and friends. All donations go towards helping marine turtles.

Opening hours, booking information and admission fees

Your Turtle Encounters ticket also includes access to:

• the Turtle Tales immersive experience, throughout the night of your tour as part of the Turtle Encounter tours experience
• the Milbi Café and gift shop from 6pm until 9pm, with hot food orders taken until 8.30pm.

Before you book your Turtle Encounters tour, please read essential information:

• Mon Repos Conditions of entry (PDF, 344.3KB) .
• Things to know before you go—information about fitness needed, what to bring, what to expect.
• Be aware that full refunds may not be available and cancellation fees apply.
• Due to the sandy beach, conventional wheelchairs are not suitable for this tour. Some all-terrain wheelchair users may be able to access this tour. The tours are on a soft, sandy beach at night and up onto the foredunes where turtles nest. For further information about access for people with mobility disabilities, contact the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

Online bookings are essential—holiday periods and weekends are very popular, so book quickly to ensure your Turtle Encounter adventure. View the Booking user guide (PDF, 1.9MB) for information on accessing your account, and how to make, modify and cancel your bookings.

Mon Repos Turtle Encounter tours ticket prices

Ticket	Price (single visit)
Children under 5 years	Free of charge
Child (5–17 years)	$16.15
Adult	$31.30
Family (2 adults and up to 2 children)	$75.50
Concession*	$16.15
Primary and Secondary school education group#	$13.90

*Concession ticket requires a valid Australian concession card to be presented at entry.

^#Organised Primary and Secondary school education group price (minimum 10 participants) is per person.

When accompanying a valid Companion Card holder, who has purchased an admission ticket, the companion will receive free entry (one companion only).

Prices include GST, updated on the first of July every year and subject to change without notice.

Thank you—when you purchase a ticket, you are contributing to the conservation of marine turtles.

Getting there and getting around

The Mon Repos Turtle Encounter tours start at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre in Mon Repos Conservation Park, 14km east of Bundaberg in the Wide Bay area.

• Mon Repos Conservation Park map (PDF, 2.2MB)
• From the park entrance at 141 Mon Repos Road, follow Rookery Road for 750m to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre car park.

Note: Park access from Nielson Park and Bargara is via Bargara Road, turn right at Bargara State School into Potters Road, right again at Grange Road and then continue straight ahead to Mon Repos Road.

Read more park access information.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Mon Repos safely.