Mon Repos Conservation Park Bundaberg

4.1stars, rated out of 5

Google reviews (28 total)

Google reviews for Mon Repos Conservation Park

4.1stars, rated out of 5 Write a review

  • 5stars, rated out of 5 Lynette Faragher
    2 months ago

    Wonderful volunteers, lots of information provided. My husband walks with crutches, we had a volunteer assigned to us who ensured we got the full experience. The Centre itself is world class with displays and images to maintain interest while waiting to head for the beach. Good compromise between turtle conservation and public information and propaganda. Money well spent. I would come again.

  • 5stars, rated out of 5 Kathleen Sanders
    a month ago

    Wonderful time here today, we watched a cinematic tour of turtles, hatchlings, and how we can all do our bit to help these creatures. Starting one man at a time to becoming a world wide cause. The cafe offered plenty of choices to eat and drink and the artwork on display was totally stunning, no photography allowed so I cannot add a photo. Go see for yourself, you won't be disapointed. Very helpful staff too. Thank you.

  • 5stars, rated out of 5 Kylie Wood
    4 months ago

    5 stars for the magnificent girl laying eggs for her first season. What an amazing thing to experience. It was nature at its best and truly appreciated the opportunity to see it. Just wondering though about the appropriateness of the human contact especially moving the eggs. Was this just part of the tourist show or is it really necessary? Will those eggs survive human interference? Does it happen anywhere else? A little disappointed with how much information the volunteers could offer compared to the marine biologist who took us on a tour with Lady Musgrave tours the day before.

  • 1stars, rated out of 5 Mermaid Bella
    2 weeks ago

    As a volunteer and Marine scientist who has worked with the turtles at Mon Repos I can tell you I am disgusted with the way the turtles are treated. Hatchings are killed if someone tags them incorrectly, I was told to gouge the mother turtles eyes to stop her from going back in the water. Not when tourists were around of course. They care more about their research data than the actual well being of turtles.

  • 1stars, rated out of 5 Mullins Family
    2 months ago

    We are now leaving with sad kids and broken hearts! We are a family that travelled across the world for this experience from the United States to Australia with four kiddos hoping to experience this, we attempted to buy tickets and spoke with the representative at the front desk and she was kind and agreed to allow us to watch the turtles hatch! However when she talked to the man in charge, he was the most rude Australian we have met! He made my five year old cry because he said we couldn’t see the turtles. He was extremely stand off ish with his hands on his hips and yelled at my husband twice to leave. And when everyone wanted to allow us to wothness the turtles hatching he came out and said he would not allow it! We may never be back in Australia and I hope this man remembers how he impacted our holiday in Australia. I wish I had his name. But he was on shift on Thursday March 16th,2023 Black hair, thin, tall and oh SOO mean.

  • More info and reviews

Loggerhead turtle nesting on the Turtle Encounter Tour. Photo credit: Lise Pedersen © Queensland Government

The success of nesting and hatchling turtles at Mon Repos is critical for the survival of loggerhead turtles. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Turtles, history and a whole lot more: Mon Repos has plenty to offer!

Mon Repos is all about turtles, right? Yes and no. It is home to some of the most amazing turtle experiences on offer, but it also boasts great ‘beachy’ outdoor fun with a dash of intriguing history thrown in. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Mon Repos Turtle Centre

Learn about the special journey marine turtles and people have taken together before heading off to explore the park and beach.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle
  • Bicycle

Attraction facilities

  • Toilets (flush)
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)

Mon Repos Turtle Centre

Please be aware the centre does not display any captive, live turtles.

Daytime opening hours: 9am to 2pm, 7 days a week (closed 25 December and 25 April). Milbi Cafe and gift shop is open 9am to 2pm.

Daytime access to the Turtle Centre (includes entrance hall area, Milbi Cafe and gift shop) is free and does not require a booking.

Daytime access to Turtle Tales Immersive Experience within the Turtle Centre (includes interactive displays and theatre) must be booked online and an admission fee applies (closed 25 December and 25 April). All visitors, including children and babies, must have a ticket booked in their name.

Book a Turtle Tales Immersive Experience

Daytime Turtle Tracks and Tales Ranger-guided walks leave from the Turtle Centre. Explore the conservation park with a Ranger guide and learn about turtle conservation and research, turtle tracks and nesting sites. This experience is offered during turtle tour season from November to late March (closed 24, 25 and 31 December). Tickets must be booked online and ticket fees apply. Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Book a Turtle Tracks and Tales Ranger-guided walk

If you are booking a primary or secondary school group visit, please email monrepos@des.qld.gov.au to discuss educational experiences available for your group.

    Photo of parking bays for Disability parking permit holders close to the Turtle Centre and sealed access paths.

    There are designated parking bays for Disability Parking Permit holders close to the Turtle Centre and sealed access paths.

    Photo credit: Cathy Gatley © Queensland Government

    Features

    Mon Repos is special! It 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. The success of nesting and hatching turtles at Mon Repos is critical for the survival of the endangered loggerhead turtle.

    At this globally significant site, you can learn all about these extraordinary animals and the conservation and research programs that are protecting them.

    The Hatchling Hall at Mon Repos Turtle Centre

    Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre—entry is free, bookings and fees apply for the Turtle Tales Immersive Experience.

    Photo credit: Lauren Engledow, Queensland Government

    Turtle displays at the Turtle Tales Immersive Experience.

    Kids can explore what’s involved in turtle conservation when they visit the Turtle Tales Immersive Experience.

    Photo credit: Lauren Engledow, Queensland Government

    Milbi Cafe

    Be treated to bush tucker inspired cuisine at Milbi Cafe.

    Photo credit: Cathy Gatley © Queensland Government

    At the Turtle Centre

    The Mon Repos Turtle Centre is dedicated to marine turtle research, protection and education. Discover the details, the big picture and the people protecting these ancient mariners.

    Here you can learn about the special journey turtles and people have taken at Mon Repos and during turtle tour season, take a Turtle Encounters tour.

    Spend an inspiring time exploring Turtle Tales Immersive Experience—book your tickets and submerse yourself in the lives of marine turtles, Researchers, Park Rangers and volunteers in our interactive displays and theatre. Relax in theatre and enjoy the story of loggerheads told through film, and light and soundscapes.

    Mon Repos Turtle Centre and activities within it have wheelchair access, including front row spaces for wheelchair users in the theatre.

    Kids, have fun exploring the tools and techniques used to look after our turtles in the Junior Discovery zone. Test your knowledge of sea turtles by completing the activities and puzzles by downloading the Turtle facts and fun activities booklet (PDF, 3.8MB) . If you plan to visit the centre, ask for a copy from the reception desk.

    While in the centre, enjoy the Milbi Cafe and visit the gift shop.

    See opening and booking details.

    See Things to do in Mon Repos for more information about other activities you can do in the park.

    Opening hours, booking details and admission fees

    The Turtle Centre is open 7 days a week, closed 25 December and 25 April.

    Turtle Centre attractions summary
    Attraction Opening times Ticket booking required Fees apply
    Mon Repos Turtle Centre 9am to 2pm No No
    Milbi Cafe and gift shop 9am to 2pm No No
    Turtle Tales Immersive Experience (includes interactive displays and theatre) 9am to 1pm Yes—book online Yes
    Turtle Tracks and Tales Ranger-guided walk10am to 10.45amYes—book onlineYes

    For Turtle Encounter tour participants only: Turtle Encounter tour tickets include night access to the Turtle Centre (including Turtle Tales Immersive Experience, Milbi Cafe and gift shop) from 6.30pm till late, 7 days a week during turtle tour season.

    Planning a school visit

    A visit to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, and the Turtle Tales Immersive Experience (including interactive displays and theatre) and a Turtle Encounters tour is an exciting way for your students to learn about turtles, their conservation and the important turtle research that scientists are undertaking. We can tailor a Park Ranger-lead activity to suit your school visit. Contact us by email at monrepos@des.qld.gov.au to discuss educational experiences available for your group.

    Turtle Tales Immersive Experience—day ticket bookings and fees

    Tickets must be booked online and admission fees apply. All visitors, including children and babies, must have a ticket booked in their name.

    Book online

    Ticket Price (single visit)
    Children under 5 years Free of charge
    Child (5–14 years) $9.55
    Adult (15 years or older) $13.75
    Family* $34.95
    Concession** $9.55
    Education group# $8.40

    *Family is a group of up to 4 related people, comprising of 2 adults and 2 children.

    **Concession—a person is eligible for a ‘card’ concession if they have:

    • a Centrelink issued Commonwealth Seniors Health card, Health Care card or Pensioner Concession card
    • a Department of Veteran’s Affairs Gold, White or Orange DVA card
    • a secondary school official student photo ID card
    • a full-time student card from a tertiary institution (TAFE or University).

    #Organised Primary and Secondary school education group price (minimum 10 participants) is per person.

    Turtle Tracks and Tales Ranger-guided walk—ticket bookings and fees

    Tickets must be booked online and admission fees apply. Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

    Book online

    Ticket Price (single visit)
    Children under 5 years Free of charge
    Child (5–14 years) $5.10
    Adult (15 years or older) $5.10

    Thank you—when you purchase a ticket, you are contributing to the conservation of marine turtles.

    Getting there and getting around

    Mon Repos Turtle Centre is about 4hr 30min drive north of Brisbane; 15min east of Bundaberg; and 10min from Bargara. Train, bus and plane transport is available to Bundaberg.

    From the park entrance at 141 Mon Repos Road, follow Rookery Road for 750m to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre car park.

    • If the Turtle Centre car parks are full, alternative parking is available at the Mon Repos Road car park and Moores Road car park.

    Note: Park access from Nielson Park and Bargara is via Bargara Road, turn right at Bargara State School into Potters Road, right again at Grange Road and then continue straight ahead to Mon Repos Road.

    Read more park access information.

    Before you visit

    Within the Turtle Centre

    The safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our top priority. Please:

    • Stay within your family* or social groupΔ wherever possible and socially distance from other groups.
    • Use sanitising stations found throughout the centre.

    Protect yourself and others

    • Don't visit if you are unwell or displaying flu-like symptoms.
    • Practise social distancing and good hygiene.
    • Make cashless payments.

    *family group: may include family members who do not reside in the same household.
    Δ social group: a group of friends who purchased their tickets in one booking—so they can stay together as one group within their turtle tour.

    Visiting safely

    For more safety information see Visiting Mon Repos safely.

    • There are currently no park alerts for this park.