The team at NRMA Parks and Resorts is delighted to announce that Turtle Sands Nature Resort at Mon Repos in Bundaberg, Queensland has been recognised at the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, winning the prestigious New Tourism Business category.
The resort, which officially opened in October 2024, continues to gain national acclaim for its innovative, conservation‑led approach to nature‑based tourism.
This year’s Australian Tourism Awards Gala was held at the historic Fremantle Prison in Western Australia, bringing together Australia’s leading tourism operators, with state and territory award gold medalists progressing as national finalists in their respective categories. Turtle Sands earned its place at the national awards after taking out the New Tourism Business Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2025, reflecting the resort’s excellence in planning, sustainability and guest experience since opening.
NRMA Parks and Resorts Chief Executive Officer Paul Davies attended the national awards event and accepted the accolade on behalf of the member organisation, joining fellow finalists in the New Tourism Business category in celebrating the strength and innovation of Australia’s emerging tourism businesses.
Some five years in the planning, Turtle Sands Nature Resort sits adjacent to the ocean beach at Mon Repos, home to mainland Australia’s largest population of nesting marine turtles and the most significant nesting population of endangered loggerhead turtles in the South Pacific. The resort’s considered, low‑impact design places turtle conservation at its heart, including measures to ensure a dark environment after dusk and minimise light pollution during the nesting and hatching season.
Guests at Turtle Sands commit to a Turtle Protection Promise that supports the protection of the endangered turtle population through reduced noise and light pollution during critical nesting and hatching periods. From the resort, guests can easily join guided Turtle Tours at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, located adjacent to the park, for the chance to witness mother turtles laying their eggs or watch hatchlings make their way to the ocean during the turtle season.
Since opening, NRMA Turtle Sands Nature Resort has welcomed more than 50,000 guests from intrastate, interstate and overseas markets, demonstrating the growing appeal of nature‑based experiential travel in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region. The resort has created over 20 local jobs in the tourism industry and contributed significantly to the Bundaberg regional economy through employment, supplier partnerships and increased visitation since opening.
In addition to its conservation focus, the resort has achieved both eco and accessible tourism accreditation since opening, reflecting NRMA Parks and Resorts’ commitment to sustainability and inclusive travel. Class‑leading facilities onsite, including premium villas, studios, glamping tents and absolute beachfront caravan and camping sites, have been designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, supported by high‑quality shared amenities and camp kitchen facilities.
Strong local partnerships continue to be key to the success of Turtle Sands. Since April 2025, the team has worked closely with local First Nations‑owned tour operator Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours to co‑design and deliver the Sunrise Cultural Tour, an exclusive experience for Turtle Sands guests that shares Aboriginal cultural heritage and deepens understanding of the unique coastal ecosystem at Mon Repos.
NRMA Parks and Resorts Chief Executive Officer Paul Davies said the national recognition was an outstanding achievement for the Turtle Sands team, the NRMA, and the Bundaberg region.
“On behalf of NRMA Parks and Resorts and our members, I’d like to congratulate our fellow finalists in the New Tourism Business category, who are each doing incredible work to raise the bar for Australia’s tourism industry,” Mr Davies said.
“I’d also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the great team at Turtle Sands Nature Resort, whose passion for the guest experience and commitment to protecting this precious turtle environment have been integral to this win,” he said.
“This award is a very proud moment for NRMA Parks and Resorts, and it’s also a win for the Bundaberg region and for the emerging category of nature‑based experiential travel across Australia.”
“We are very proud of what has been achieved at Turtle Sands in such a short time and we look forward to welcoming many more guests in the years ahead to experience the natural wonder of turtles laying their eggs, and the unforgettable thrill of seeing hatchlings making their way to the ocean.”
Turtle Sands General Manager Melissa Floyd said the recognition at first state and now national level reflected the dedication of the resort’s local team and partners.
“We have a wonderful team here at Turtle Sands who have all worked together since opening in time for turtle season in 2024 to make the resort such a special holiday destination, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see their efforts recognised on the national stage,” Ms Floyd said.
“The award is also a celebration of our conservation‑first approach, from our low‑impact, dark‑sky design and solar‑powered infrastructure to our deep connection with the turtle experience, including seamless guest access to Mon Repos Turtle Tours and our partnership with Taribelang Bunda to share the cultural significance of this remarkable place,” she said.
