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Taken from

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/mon-repos/about.html

and

http://bundaberg.qld.gov.au/event/10/08/16/mon-repos-turtle-conservation-volunteer-group

About Mon Repos[]

Getting there and getting around[]

Mon Repos is about 4.5 hours drive north from Brisbane and 15 minutes (14 km) east of Bundaberg.

From Bundaberg, follow the signs to Bargara along the Bundaberg-Bargara Road. At the Bargara Primary School, turn left into Potters Road. When you come to the T-intersection at the end of Potters Road, turn right into Grange Road. Follow the signs to the entrance of Mon Repos Conservation Park on the left.

Access to the park is from the main road entry or from the beach via a boardwalk.

From November to late March, public access to the beach is restricted from 6 pm and 6 am to protect nesting turtles and hatchlings. Ranger-guided turtle viewing tours operate from the information centre from 7 pm nightly. Bookings are essential and fees apply.

Wheelchair accessibility

The information centre has wheelchair access. On ranger-guided tours, a special wheelchair is available for use on the beach. Bookings are essential.

Park features[]

Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. This is the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific Ocean region. Successful breeding here is critical for the survival of this endangered species.

In the off-peak season of winter and spring, the park is a quiet retreat and access is unrestricted. You can walk along the beach, explore the rock pools or snorkel on the fringing reef.

Camping and accommodation[]

Camping[]

Camping is not permitted in Mon Repos Conservation Park

Other accommodation[]

A caravan park adjoins the conservation park and there is a range of other accommodation options in Bargara and Bundaberg. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Things to do[]

Turtle watching[]

From November to March, visitors to Mon Repos can witness one of nature's most fascinating spectacles—the annual pilgrimage of sea turtles. Each year, adult turtles come ashore to lay eggs on Mon Repos beach. About eight weeks later young sea turtles emerge from the eggs and race to the sea.

The best time to see turtles laying eggs is after dark from mid November to February. Hatchlings usually leave their nests to begin their journey to the sea, at night from mid January until late March. If you visit in January you might be lucky enough to see both adults and hatchlings.

Turtles are easily disturbed from their nesting if correct turtle watching guidelines are not followed. Each year more people visit Mon Repos to watch the turtles. To protect nesting turtles and hatchlings, a limit has been set on the number of people allowed access to the beach each night. Visitors are urged to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Walking[]

Mon Repos walking track—4.5 km return (Allow 2 hours) Grade: Easy[]

A walking track leaves from the information centre and lets you explore the park behind the dunes on a leafy path. Take drinking water with you and wear sunscreen. Insect repellent is recommended.

Guided tours and talks[]

Ranger-guided tours to view nesting turtles and/or emerging hatchlings, operate seven nights a week from November to late March, excluding 24, 25 and 31 December. Please be aware that turtles are wild animals and we cannot guarantee you will see either nesting adults or hatchling turtles. Occasionally, turtles do not arrive at all.

Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Contact the Bundaberg Region Ltd on (07) 4153 8888 for bookings or book online at www.bookbundabergregion.com.au . Fees for tours contribute to visitor and habitat management for the conservation and protection of marine turtles.

For more information contact the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).

Boating[]

The coastal waters adjacent to Mon Repos Conservation Park, Bargara and Elliot Heads are within the Great Sandy Marine Park. Please ensure you are aware of the marine park zones and their restrictions before you go boating. Contact us for more information.

Other things to do[]

At the Mon Repos information centre you can discover more about the special journeys turtles and people have taken at Mon Repos, and learn about the adjacent Great Sandy Marine Park.

The park's other attractions include Woongarra Scrub remnants, mangroves, the site of Bert Hinkler's first glider flights, a tidal lagoon, rock pools and an historic basalt stone wall built by South Sea Islanders who were brought to Queensland from the 1880s to work in the sugar industry.

The basalt slabs and reefs that form much of this coastline provide an ideal canvas for colourful displays of corals, sponges, barnacles and shellfish. This stunning display of sea life so close to shore has made the Woongarra coast one of the most popular shore-diving areas in Australia.

Things to know before you go[]

Essentials to bring[]

For night time turtle watching tours remember to bring:

  • footwear suitable for walking along a sandy beach at night
  • rain jackets. Shelter is limited during storms and umbrellas are not permitted on the beach
  • a jumper or windcheater as it can be cold, particularly on the beach
  • insect repellent
  • drinking water.

Food and drinks (hot and cold) are available from a food van at the park. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted.

Opening hours

During turtle season (November to late March):

  • Mon Repos Conservation Park and information centre is open 24 hours a day. Public access to the beach is closed from 6 pm to 6 am. Turtle viewing tours run from 7 pm nightly, seven days a week (except for 24, 25 and 31 December) and entry is through the information centre.

Outside turtle season (April to early November):

  • Mon Repos Conservation Park is open 24 hours a day. The park office and information centre are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Permits and fees

Fees apply for night access to the beach during turtle season. These fees are payable at the time of booking turtle viewing tours. Your fees contribute to visitor and habitat management for the conservation and protection of turtles.

Bookings are essential. Contact the Bundaberg Region Ltd on (07) 4153 8888.

Single visit ticket
Child (5–17 years) $5.25
Adult $9.85
Family* $23.50
Senior+ $5.25
  • Family is 1 or 2 parents with their children (5–17 years).
    + Seniors card is required.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Mon Repos Conservation Park.

Climate and weather

Mon Repos Conservation Park has a mild subtropical climate. In summer, evenings can be humid. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology .

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Bargara and Bundaberg. For more information see the tourism information links below.

Staying safe[]

Turtle viewing tours take place at night. Lighting in the park is deliberately kept low to avoid disturbing nesting turtles and disorientating hatchlings. There is no lighting on the beach. For your safety, listen to staff on the beach and follow their instructions. Remain with your group at all times.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Looking after the park[]

  • Domestic animals are not permitted in Mon Repos Conservation Park.
  • No smoking is permitted at the Mon Repos information centre, on the beach or surrounds.
  • Please take your rubbish with you.

When watching turtles:

  • listen to staff on the beach and follow their instructions. They are there to look after the turtles and give you a memorable experience
  • do not approach or shine lights on turtles leaving the sea or moving up the beach
  • remain with the group at all times and avoid sudden movement.

Nesting and hatchling marine turtles are disoriented by bright lights. Artificial lights interfere with their natural habits and instincts, resulting in negative impact on their population. Marine turtles are threatened species'—they need our help to survive.

For light reducing tips read Cut the Glow to help Turtles Go.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management[]

The area now within Mon Repos Conservation Park was declared an Environmental Park under the Land Act in 1990. In 1994 it was re-gazetted as a Conservation Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. It includes 45 hectares of beach and coastal vegetation.

A management plan for Mon Repos will be prepared in the future.

Tourism information links[]

Bundaberg City Visitor Information Centre www.bundabergregion.info 186 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
PO Box 930, Bundaberg QLD 4670
ph (07) 4153 8888
fax (07) 4151 2527
email info@bundabergregion.org

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au .

Further information[]

Contact us

Mon Repos Turtle Conservation Volunteer Group[]

When: 16 Aug 2010 (All day)23 Aug 2010 (All day)30 Aug 2010 (All day)Join the Mon Repos Turtle Conservation Volunteer Group this turtle season.

No special qualifications are needed, though enthusiam, friendliness and able to talk with inquisitive visitors is helpful

If you are interested in volunteering contact QPWS Rangers before Monday 30th August, 2010.

Gemma Haley 4159 1652 (Mon/Fri) or 4151 9500 (Tues-Thurs)
Cathy Gatley 4159 1652 (Mon/Fri) or 4151 9506 (Tues-Thurs)

Attachment Size
Turtle Recruit poster 10.doc 1.42 MB
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