Mon Repos Conservation Park Bundaberg

4.1

Google reviews (29 total)

Google reviews for Mon Repos Conservation Park

4.1 Write a review

  • 5 Kathleen Sanders
    5 months 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.

  • 5 Lynette Faragher
    6 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.

  • 1 Mermaid Bella
    4 months 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.

  • 1 Mullins Family
    6 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.

  • 5 Kylie Wood
    8 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.

  • 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

Visiting Mon Repos safely

    Getting there and getting around

    Boardwalks provide access to the beach.

    Boardwalks provide access to the beach.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown ©️ Queensland Government

    Beach view, Mon Repos Conservation Park.

    Beach view, Mon Repos Conservation Park.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown ©️ Queensland Government

    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

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

    Car parks are provided at:

    • Mon Repos Turtle Centre—from the park entrance at 141 Mon Repos Road, turn left on to Rookery Road and travel 750m to the Turtle Centre car park. This car park has some designated parking bays for Disability Parking Permit holders close to the Turtle Centre.
    • the end of Mon Repos Road.
    • the end of Moores Road (northern park entrance).

    Getting to Mon Repos

    Road access:

    • From Nielson Park and Bargara access 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.
    • From Bundaberg access is via Bargara Road, turn left at Bargara State School into Potters Road, then right into Grange Road and then continue straight ahead to Mon Repos Road.

    Walk or bike via a Bundaberg Regional Council Turtle trail that travels from Kellys Beach in Bargara, through the conservation park and on to Burnett Heads Harbour.

    Night access during turtle nesting season

    • To protect nesting and hatching turtles, from 15 October to 30 April access to some areas of the park is not permitted between 6pm and 6am. This affects public access to the beach, the Mon Repos coastal track and the Turtle Trail (within Mon Repos Conservation Park).
    • Mon Repos turtle watching tours Turtle Encounter tours operate from the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, 7 nights-a-week during turtle tour season from November to late March (closed 24, 25 and 31 December). Bookings are essential and fees apply.
    • Turtle Encounter tours car parking: drive to the park entrance at 141 Mon Repos Road, turn left onto Rookery Road and continue 750m to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre car park.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    Park close to the Mon Repos Turtle Centre on Rookery Road. There are designated parking bays for Disability Parking Permit holders. From here access:

    • Mon Repos Turtle Centre on flat, wide cement paths. Activities within the Turtle Centre are all accessible, including the immersive theatre that has front row spaces for people in wheelchairs.
    • Turtle trail—suitable for wheelchair users who have a companion to assist them. It is a shared trail (bicycles, walkers and runners) on a bitumen path and relatively flat close to the Turtle Centre.
    • Turtle Encounter tours—some all-terrain wheelchair users may be able to access this tour with assistance. The tours are on a soft, sandy beach at night and up onto the foredunes where turtles nest. Conventional wheelchairs are not suitable for this tour.

    For further information about access for people with mobility disabilities, contact the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

    Staying safe

    For all emergencies call Triple Zero (000)

    • We highly recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting a national park or forest.
    • Download the Triple Zero emergency app—to help identify your location.
    • Important: if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.
    • Follow COVID-safety practices, for your safety.
    • Never walk alone; always walk with a group or in sight of another group.
    • Carry a mobile phone.
    • Wear suitable footwear and clothing for the activities you choose.
    • Stay on the walking track and shared trail.
    • Swimming is not recommended at Mon Repos Beach as it is not patrolled by Queensland surf lifesavers. Swim at nearby patrolled beaches—visit the Bundaberg Regional Council’s website for information about patrolled beaches in this region.
    • Thieves use Mon Repos Conservation Park too! While visiting the park, please ensure that you lock your vehicle and remove all valuables, including garage remotes. Do not leave valuables unattended.

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

    Walker with backpack, walking down a path amidst trees.

    To enjoy your walk, make sure you wear suitable clothing and carry drinking water.

    Photo credit: Robert Ashdown ©️ Queensland Government

    The Mon Repos beach includes rock and shell areas. Protect your feet by wearing shoes suitable for walking in a sandy environment.

    The Mon Repos beach includes rock and shell areas. Protect your feet by wearing shoes suitable for walking in a sandy environment.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    Before you visit

    Essentials to bring

    • footwear suitable for wearing in a sandy beach environment
    • sunscreen, a hat and long-sleeved shirt
    • adequate drinking water (a water refill station is provided at the Turtle Centre)
    • insect repellent and a first-aid kit.

    Turtle Encounter essentials

    Be prepared for a long wait in the Turtle Centre—turtle arrival time is unpredictable.

    You will need a moderate level of fitness to beach walk—up to 1.6km (return journey), and be able to:

    • stand on uneven and soft sandy surfaces for about 2hrs
    • traverse short steep, soft sand sections on vegetated dunes, and boardwalk ramps
    • walk in natural, night light or with limited light in some sections.

    You will need to bring:

    • footwear suitable for the sandy beach, with rocky sections
    • a rain jacket
    • a jumper or windcheater (it can be cold and windy on the beach at night)
    • adequate drinking water (a water refill station is provided at the Turtle Centre)
    • insect repellent
    • Torches must be 100 lumens or less (they are not essential and can only be used when permitted by a tour guide)
    • For designated photography time bring a device suitable for low light emission and conditions—photography (limited flash and mobile phone use), videoing without constant light, and using devices that do not emit an external light, such as a GoPro, are permitted only when your tour guide announces the designated photography time.

    Use of some items are not permitted on the beach tours:

    • Light-up shoes and glow sticks (to protect turtles from artificial light disturbance)
    • Umbrellas (for visitor safety—use of umbrellas in the dark and wind create injury risks)
    • Mobile phones and light emitting devices must be bagged at all times except during designated photography time.

    Opening hours, permits and fees

    Mon Repos Turtle Centre:

    (Including Turtle Tales Immersive Experience, Milbi Cafe and gift shop.)

    Mon Repos Turtle Encounter tours:

    (Including night access to Turtle Centre, Turtle Tales Immersive Experience, Milbi Cafe and gift shop.)

    Mon Repos Turtle Tracks and Tales Ranger-guided walk

    Seasonal track and trail closure:

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Mon Repos Conservation Park. Penalties apply to people who bring domestic animals into the park.

    Climate and weather

    Mon Repos Conservation Park has a mild subtropical climate. In summer, evenings can be humid. Average daily temperatures usually range from 22–30°C in summer and from 11–22°C in winter.

    Check weather forecasts before visiting and take appropriate clothing, especially for Turtle Encounter tours when you may need a raincoat or light jumper.

    Fuel and supplies

    Fuel and supplies are available at Bargara, Burnett Heads and Bundaberg. For more information see tourism information links.