The 2024 turtle season at Mon Repos Beach, QLD, which started in October this year, has proved to be a bumper nesting season, with more than 300 turtles to date making their way ashore to lay their eggs under the cover of night.
Guests at NRMA’s Turtle Sands Nature Resort have enjoyed the very special chance to witness a large number of turtles laying their eggs amongst the sand dunes on Mon Repos beach, with as many as 66 turtles spotted on one night as part of the QPWS Ranger-led Turtle Encounter tours run next door to the resort.
This of course bodes very well for the turtle hatching season, when a large number of turtle hatchlings will be due to emerge from their eggs and underground nests between 75 and 90 days after being laid, making January to March busy months for baby turtles at Mon Repos.
At NRMA’s Turtle Sands Nature Resort, there are still spots in the couples’ glamping and studio accommodations in January, so travellers keen to experience the wonder of baby turtles making their way to the ocean by moonlight should act now to reserve their place at the resort.
The team at the resort can also assist with booking tickets to the turtle encounter tours at the Turtle Centre, just a few minutes’ walk by infrared torchlight.
Turtle Sands Nature Resort has also had a bumper start to its operations since opening in September, with strong bookings for families and couples across all accommodation categories from the three-bedroom Beachside and Poolside Villas and the stylish Beach House, to the contemporary glamping tents, studios and powered sites for caravans, campervans, camper trailers and tents.
Guests staying during turtle season between October and April each year have been happy to commit to the Turtle Protection Promise, which sees light and noise reduced from the accommodation by 7.30pm, and access to the beach limited to between 6am and 6pm.
For visitors enjoying the nighttime turtle tours run from the Mon Repos Turtle Sanctuary, the results of the Turtle Protection Promise in action are immediately evident: seen from the turtles’ point of view as they look for light on the horizon to guide their way back to the ocean.
The lack of light pollution turns the night sky into a glittering blanket of stars, a brilliant complement to nature’s incredible show quietly taking place on the beach.
NRMA Parks and Resorts CEO Paul Davies said the team at Turtle Sands was thrilled to see guests enjoying the resort’s facilities including the giant turtle-shaped pool, state-of-the-art camp kitchen and communal reserve area as well as a natural highlight: a bumper season of mother turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.
“It’s so rewarding for our team to see the delight on guests’ faces as they make the most of this incredible part of the word,” Mr Davies said.
“With some spaces available in January to witness the baby turtles hatching we’d urge travellers to book in and enjoy a well-deserved holiday in nature at the same time,” he said.
Guests wishing to book their place at NRMA’s newest holiday experience at Turtle Sands can explore the property’s website and make a booking at turtlesands.com.au or by calling reservations on 1800 371 211.
