One of Australia's most exciting wildlife experiences, the 2018/19 Mon Repos Turtle Encounter on the coastline of Bundaberg, will open ticket sales at 9am today, Tuesday 25 September. 

The popular conservation experience and tourist drawcard is run by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and with 30,000 visitors annually travelling to Bundaberg, a few short hours drive north of Brisbane, tickets will be in demand!

Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region.  Visitors witness nesting and hatching turtles under the expert guides of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and the volunteers who return year after year to assist in the conservation of this endangered marine animal.  The special ranger led experience has been carefully created to build understanding and appreciation of the life cycle of the turtle, to manage turtle watching, and ensure successful breeding for the survival of this endangered species.

Katherine Reid, General Manager at Bundaberg Tourism, said “The turtle experiences of Bundaberg underpin the regional tourism industry over the summer months, as annually 30,000 people from across the state, the nation and the globe make the pilgrimage to Mon Repos and the islands of the region to witness the miracle of life on our shores. 

“Tourism to Mon Repos contributes greatly to conservation, appreciation and understanding of the endangered marine turtle population, whilst also creating an emotional connection for visitors with the turtles that come ashore,” she said.

“The Bundaberg region's second largest economic contributor is tourism, which serviced 1.31 million visitors in 2017 and yet is characterised by small businesses which benefit from the tourist dollar driven by the Mon Repos Turtle Encounter,” Ms Reid said.

“We look forward to another wonderful turtle season this summer as the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service deliver this important experience available to our Australian and international visitors.”

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Mon Repos Ranger Jess McKenzie said the turtle encounter was a unique experience and enjoyable for the whole family.

“There is nothing quite like watching these ancient creatures come to Mon Repos beach every year to lay their eggs, and the hatchlings bubble up through the sand to make their way to the ocean,” Ms McKenzie said.

“When we see the look of awe on the visitors' faces as they take part in the turtle encounters, it makes our non-stop efforts to conserve the area worthwhile.

“We always look forward to turtle season here at Mon Repos because it gives us an opportunity to connect with visitors from all over the globe and teach them about our turtles.”

Tickets will be available through the Bundaberg Region Visitor Information Centres or online at www.bundabergregion.org/turtles.

ENDS 

For more information please contact: 

Ellie Tonkin | Marketing Manger, Bundaberg Tourism | M: 0400 432 366 | E: ellie.tonkin@bundabergregion.org

Katherine Reid | General Manager, Bundaberg Tourism | M: 0429 681 770 | E: katherine.reid@bundabergregion.org