Conservation Park, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Oct 25th, 2004
Mon Repos Conservation Park is near Bundaberg in Queensland. The conservation park supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland, and is one of the two largest loggerhead turtle hatching areas in the South Pacific. Successful breeding here is critical for the survival of this endangered species.
There are four ranger staff and 44 volunteers based at the information centre. The volunteers assist with staffing the entrance and souvenir shop, as well as patrolling the beach and guiding groups. There's also another volunteer team with the research program.
The research program was started in 1968 by Col Limpus. The information collected through this program allows researchers to see how the nesting population is functioning from year to year and to follow trends in the population. It is estimated that 1 in 10,000 sea turtles survives from hatching to maturity. A sea turtle's sex is determined by the incubation; hotter incubation creates females.
Loggerheads make up 95% of all nesting sea turtles along the Bundaberg coast, and each summer 160 to 200 visit Mon Repos to lay their eggs in the sand. Flatback and green turtles also nest along the Bundaberg coast, but in much smaller numbers.
The turtle-watching program now caters for more than 25, 000 visitors each season and is one of Queensland's most inspiring wildlife attractions. In 1993-94 a visitor centre was built, including an extensive display area, souvenir shop and an outdoor amphitheatre to complement the turtle viewing and serve as a public education and information facility.
Under the guidance of trained park staff, visitors to Mon Repos are escorted down to the beach. On most nights each summer, female sea turtles can be seen struggling out of sea to lay their eggs in the sand above high tide mark. About seven to nine weeks later the eggs hatch and around 100 to 150 turtle hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their way down the beach to the sea.
Ranger guided tours operate seven nights a week from November to late March, but nesting turtles are best viewed after dark, from November to February. The turtle hatchlings are best viewed from January to March between 7pm to midnight.
The facts
Qantas and QantasLink fly to Bundaberg. One way prices start from $256 ex Sydney and $443 ex Perth.
Prices available online only and include charges/taxes.
Qantas
Tel: 13 13 13
Mon Repos Conservation Park tours cost from $5.50 for adults, $3 for children and $13.00 for a family pass.
Open 7pm - midnight, November to March.
Mon Repos Conservation Park
Tel: 07 4153 8888
Kellys Beach Resort has two bedroom family units from $96 a night.
Kellys Beach Resort
Tel: 1800 246 141
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 25/10/04
