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
Daytime opening hours: 9am to 2pm, 7 days a week (closed 25 December and 25 April). Mon Repos Gidji Cafe and Gift shop are open 9.30am to 2pm.
Daytime access to Hatchling Hall within the Turtle Centre (includes entrance hall display area, Mon Repos Gidji Cafe and Gift shop) is free and does not require a booking.
Day-time access to Turtle Tales within the Turtle Centre (includes interpretive displays and theatrette areas) 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.
Nightly opening hours during turtle season: from 6.30pm till late, 7 days a week. Night access is only permitted for Turtle Encounter tour participants. Do not book Turtle Centre access (including Turtle Tales tickets) when you are visiting at night as a Turtle Encounter tour participant —your purchased Turtle Encounter tickets include access to these areas as part of your tour experience.
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.
Within the Turtle Centre:
The safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our top priority. Some high contact interpretive display touch points have been removed.
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.
Please read our Conditions of entry before your visit.
*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.
Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, open 7 days-a-week 9am to 2pm (closed 25 December and 25 April).
Photo credit: 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.
At the Turtle Centre
The Mon Repos Turtle Centre is dedicated to marine turtle research, protection and education. Here you can learn about the special journey turtles and people have taken at Mon Repos, immerse in Turtle Tales, browse the Gift shop, enjoy a snack in the Mon Repos Gidji Cafe and, in turtle tour season, take a Turtle Encounters tour.
Mon Repos Turtle Centre and activities within it have wheelchair access.
See Things to do in Mon Repos for more information about other activities you can do in the park.
When visiting the Hatchling Hall and throughout the centre, follow the COVID-19 safety directions and signs.
Photo credit: Lauren Engledow, Queensland Government
Kids can explore what’s involved in turtle conservation when they visit the Turtle Tales self-guided experience.
Photo credit: Lauren Engledow, Queensland Government
Spend an inspiring time at the Turtle Centre exploring Turtle Tales. Submerse yourself in the lives of marine turtles, researchers and rangers in our new immersive theatre and interactive displays.
Relax in the theatre and enjoy the story of loggerheads told through film, and light and soundscapes.
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 . If you plan to visit the centre, ask for a copy from the reception desk.
Discover the details, the big picture and the people protecting these ancient mariners.
See opening and booking details.
Planning a school visit
A visit to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, a self-guided Turtle Tales immersive theatre and interactive displays experience 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.
See opening and booking details to plan your school visit to Mon Repos Turtle Centre and organise your Turtle Tales booking.
Opening hours, booking details and admission fees
The Turtle Centre is open 7 days a week, closed 25 December and 25 April.
Attraction | Opening times | Ticket booking required | Fees apply |
|---|---|---|---|
Hatchling Hall (display) | 9am to 2pm | No | No |
Mon Repos Gidji Cafe | 9.30am to 2pm | No | No |
Gift shop | 9.30am to 2pm | No | No |
Turtle Tales (includes interpretive displays and theatrette areas) | 9am to 1pm | Yes (day ticket) | Yes |
For Turtle Encounter tour participants only: Turtle Encounter tour tickets include night access to the Turtle Centre (including Turtle tales)—open from 6.30pm till late, 7 days a week during turtle tour season. Mon Repos Gidji Cafe and Gift shop are open at 6.30pm and close earlier at 9pm.
If you are booking a school or education group, please contact us by email at monrepos@des.qld.gov.au to discuss educational experiences available for your group.
Please read our Conditions of entry to the centre before your visit.
Turtle Tales 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.
Mon Repos Turtle Tales ticket prices | |
|---|---|
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.
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
- Bookings are essential for Turtle Takes, book through Eventbrite.
- Drinking water is available, bring your own drinking bottle.
- Wifi is available in the centre.
Visiting safely
For more safety information see Visiting Mon Repos safely.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.