How To See Turtles Hatch in Australia
Australia is home to a wide array of marine life. From the clownfish in the Great Barrier Reef to the Great White sharks off the coast in Queensland, there is no shortage of incredible wildlife in this beautiful country. And if you know where to go, it’s possible to witness turtles nesting and hatching up close! Here’s how to see turtles hatch in Australia.
Visit Mon Repos Beach To Witness Wild Sea Turtles Nesting & Hatching
This place is one of a kind! Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Each year, thousands of tiny turtle hatchlings make their way from their nest on Mon Repos Beach to the ocean. The success of their journey is critical for the survival of the endangered loggerhead turtle.
Where is Mon Repos Beach?
Mon Repos Beach & Turtle Centre are located on the eastern coast of Australia about 3 hours north of the Sunshine Coast and a little over 4 hours from Brisbane.
If you’re road tripping up Australia, it’s an easy addition to your itinerary.
We drove from Brisbane to Cairns in our JUCY campervan and only heard about Mon Repos from some locals. We were thrilled they had informed us because it was such a magical addition to our trip. Not to mention, it’s right along the popular road trip route so it’s an easy and affordable stop!
When can you see turtles hatching or laying eggs?
Overall, the nesting & hatching season occurs between mid November and late March.
Mother turtles nest after dark in mid November to February.
8 weeks later, baby turtles emerge from the eggs also after dark. Typically from mid January to late March.
So if you arrive at Mon Repos early in the season, you will get to witness a mother laying her eggs which is equally as magical!
But the height of the season, you may see one or the other depending on the night. Some tour groups will see hatchlings while other will go see a mother laying eggs- it’s just the luck of the draw! You don’t get to “pick” what your group sees since it’s not 100% predictable with wildlife.
But at the end of the season, expect to just see the hatchlings. The mothers will be done laying eggs by then.
Mon Repos Turtle Encounters
Mon Repos Beach is protected to ensure the human impact on nesting turtles is minimal. You will not be able to go down to the beach on your own.
But fortunately, tickets are affordable, for full price adults it’s $27 AUS for a tour. And the money goes back to helping conserve and preserve the area for these incredible animals.
Book your encounter here.
Tours will go out in the order they are booked. If you schedule your tour far in advance, you will be put on the first group out for the evening. If you book your tour last minute like we did, you’ll be in the last group to head out to the beach. There is no difference except how long you will be waiting to head down to the beach with your guide.
| Ticket | Price (single visit) |
|---|---|
| Child (5–14 years) | $14 |
| Adult (15 years or older) | $27 |
| Family* | $65 |
| Concession** | $14 |
| Education group# | $12 |
While the other groups before you head out, you can hang out at the Turtle Centre which is packed with great information. They also have a cafe with snacks available.
What To Expect For Your Visit To Mon Repos
Book your tour in advance to prevent long wait times.
Arrive at the Mon Repos Road parking lot at 6:30pm.
Once you park in the free lot, you can take the free shuttle bus to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.
When the shuttle drops you off, you’ll check in at the front desk and be given a sticker to signify your Turtle Encounter group for the night.
Rangers will search the beach for wild turtles or active nests while you hang out at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, cafe and gift shop.
Be prepared to wait.
The turtles are wild animals and it’s impossible to say what time they will arrive. It could be several hours. We only waited about 90 minutes before heading to the beach but the night in total could take up to 6 hours.
When the turtles have been located, the rangers will call your group over and you’ll be on your way down to the beach. The excitement in the air in palpable as your group heads down to the beach in the dark! Lights will remain off to avoid disturbing the turtles.
Bring a jacket down to the beach, it can be windy and cold by the water! Then your ranger will guide your group over to either the mother turtle or the nest of babies. Then the magic occurs!
Our Experience At Mon Repos Beach
The night we were there, we saw a mother loggerhead turtle laying 124 eggs. We didn’t realize how many eggs were laid at once in a single clutch! It was incredible to stand there under the starry night sky and witness the turtle heaving herself from the ocean, dragging her heavy body up the sand and digging her nest.
The majority of the time, you simply get to sit back and enjoy a front row seat to the process of nesting. But when the moment is right, the rangers will tell you when it’s okay to take your camera out and take photos for a short amount of time. I loved that the center did this! It’s a great way to witness the experience and fully be in the moment while also minimizing the human presence for the turtles.
Moving the nest further up the beach
In some instances, the rangers will decide to move the nest further up the beach from the tide to ensure the eggs aren’t swept away in the water. So after the turtle slowly makes her way back out to the ocean, they will carefully dig up the eggs and delicately move them. But YOU get to be involved. The rangers will have everyone line up, and slowly pass the eggs to be carefully carried up to the freshly dug nest.
Overall, a worthwhile and unforgettable evening!
You won’t regret a night spent on the beach with an expert ranger under the stars witnessing this incredible display of nature! Enjoy your time at Mon Repos Beach and let me know if you have any questions 🙂
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