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Queensland’s Best Destinations to Experience Baby Turtles Hatching
We’ve found Queensland’s best places to spot turtles nesting or hatching on pristine and protected beaches.
Could there be anything more magical than watching tiny baby turtles make their way to the water? There are few sights so special on Australian beaches, so this is truly is an experience to put on your Queensland bucket list.
Turtles tend to lay their eggs between November and January, so that the summer heat keeps the sand at an optimal temperature for incubation. Once laid and buried, the eggs take around six to eight weeks to hatch, making the months between January and March the best time to take a holiday somewhere tropical.
We’ve curated a short list of destinations to spot a turtle hatching experience around Queensland to give you the best chance at witnessing this adorable sight.
Where to See Turtles Hatching – Near Brisbane
Heron Island
Heron Island is a true hidden gem of holiday destinations in Queensland, providing an absolutely stunning place to scuba and snorkel in the pristine and protected waters. You’ll spot tropical fish, reef sharks, manta rays and turtles swimming serenely through the water.
Both green and loggerhead turtles return to this coray cay to lay their eggs, so if you decide to spend a few nights on the island, you might be lucky enough to spy some turtles laying or eggs hatching in the summer months.
Heron Island, Coral Sea
Mon Repos
Head north towards Bundaberg to visit Mon Repos (pronounced mon re-poe), a destination known for its dense population of nesting marine loggerhead turtles. If you have your heart set on spotting turtles hatching near Brisbane, Mon Repos is an absolute must. Of the seven types of marine turtle in the world, Mon Repos is home to three (the loggerhead, flatback and green turtles) and is a vitally important site in the turtle reproduction lifecycle.
In 2019, the doors opened on the 22 million dollar Mon Repos Turtle Centre, which operates as an information centre, conservation centre and research centre.
Throughout turtle season, you can book a night tour to witness the adult turtles laying, and the baby turtles hatching, guided by a dedicated park ranger.
141 Mon Repos Rd, Mon Repos
Wop-pa/Great Keppel Island
Wop-pa or Great Keppel Island spans seventeen beaches, meaning there’s ample territory here for turtles to nest. The Island is a wonderful place to holiday if you enjoy beach days, hiking in rainforests or even kayaking. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being able to potentially spot some tiny little turtles making their big trek from their nest to the waves.
Turtles aren’t the only wildlife visiting the area either–you might even get to meet echidnas, peacocks, dugongs, tropical fish, humpback whales and more, all depending on what time of year you visit.
Great Keppel Island, The Keppels
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Lady Elliot Island
North-west of Bundaberg is the Great Barrier Reef’s southernmost coral cay, Lady Elliott Island. This privately owned island is home to an eco resort, which is a family-owned and operated eco-tourism business offering both day trips and accommodation options.
When visiting the island, you can spot hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles on a hatching viewing expedition, as well as pay a visit the Reef Education Centre to learn more about the research and conservation efforts that are being undertaken to ensure the survival of these rare and ancient animals.
Lady Elliott Island is also an incredible place to go snorkelling, so you might even pass a friendly turtle swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Coral Sea.
Lady Elliott Island, Central Queensland
Lady Musgrave Island
Four hours north of Brisbane, you’ll find yourself in Bundaberg, the perfect beginning checkpoint for your turtle viewing endeavours. From there, take a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island, where you can scuba, snorkel, or spend a night on a liveaboard boat, sleeping under the stars and upon the reef.
The island is surrounded by crystal clear, gentle lagoon water, making it not only an idyllic escape, but an incredible place to snorkel the Reef.
During turtle season, you might be lucky enough to glimpse loggerhead, green or hawksbill turtles making their very first foray into the water after hatching.
Lady Musgrave Island, Coral Sea
Where to See Turtles Hatching – Tropical North Queensland
Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is home to a sanctuary for sick and injured sea turtles, after the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre expanded in 2013. You can reach the Island via a 45-minute ferry from Cairns, and it’s well worth a visit while you’re exploring Tropical North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef.
For guaranteed turtle time, and to learn more about the challenges facing these ancient creatures, we highly recommend getting tickets to tour the Rehabilitation Centre, where you’ll get to meet the current patients in care, whilst learning about the work that the volunteer-operated facility undertakes.
Fitzroy Island, Queensland
Green Island
Green Island is one of Cairn’s coral cays, and a popular place to visit for anyone spending some time in Tropical North Queensland. You can opt to spend a night (or a few!) on this little island, or squeeze it into your itinerary as a day trip if you’re keen to snorkel with some friendly green turtles in the Coral Sea.
Green Island, Queensland
Now that you’ve scouted out Queensland’s top spots to spot turtles hatching, let’s start making these travel plans official. Explore our guide to making the most of a trip to Cairns, or discover more incredible holiday destinations right here in our backyard.
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