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Mon Repos – one of the world’s most important turtle nesting sites - welcomed its first flatback turtle a month earlier than expected on 9th October, kicking off a significant time of the year for Bundaberg tourism as the region continues its COVID-19 economic recovery.

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.

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

Mon Repos Turtle Encounter is the only ranger-guided turtle encounter available on the east coast and is instrumental in the research into turtle conservation.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith advised “this is a big time of year for our tourism operators, with Mon Repos’ nightly tours often welcoming 12,000 visitors each season.”

High visitation is expected for the Mon Repos Turtle Centre following the Queensland Government’s $22 million redevelopment of the turtle centre and expansion of the conservation area by another 42 hectares.

Smith noted “It’s the flatback turtle that usually starts off the nesting season at Mon Repos and this is the earliest recorded beginning to nesting season on the Woongarra Coast.

“To mark the arrival of the first turtle, Bundaberg has the long-standing tradition of ringing church bells.”

The Ringing of the Bells occurred at 2pm on 12^th October at the St Peter’s Anglican Church, Bargara.

Often other local churches and schools join in and when these bells ring across the region.

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the ringing of the bells will be music to the ears of tourism operators, with the local economy recovering from the impacts of COVID-19.

Minister Scanlon advised “we’ve been prepping for this much-loved time of the year with the installation of 446 new solar panels to power the popular tourism destination almost entirely off renewable energy.

“More than 30,000 people visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre each year – promoting the importance of protecting our turtles and injecting valuable dollars into the local economy - and the electricity used to power the interactive displays, research and turtle encounters are now driven by solar energy.”

Flatbacks generally lay between 50-60 billiard ball sized eggs.

Mon Repos Acting Ranger in Charge Nicole Murnane said the ringing of the bells was based on an ancient Scottish tradition to welcome back fishing boats returning to port.

“Now, the sound of peeling bells is a tradition that Bundaberg locals and tourists look forward to each year to signal the start of turtle season,” said Murnane.

“We’re hoping the bells will herald another busy nesting season.

“Last year 352 turtles migrated to nest on the Woongarra Coast and more than 12,000 people joined in our turtle tours at Mon Repos.”

Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre website for more information.

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20th July 2021 - Ken Rosewall Arena and Mon Repos Turtle Centre among buildings shortlisted at 2021 World Architecture Festival Awards

4th June 2021 - Mon Repos Turtle Centre to soon be powered almost entirely by renewable energy

15th December 2020 - $300,000 investment announced for Mon Repos Turtle Nest Cooling Trial

24th November 2019 - New $22 million Mon Repos Turtle Centre officially opens

30th September 2019 - New Mon Repos multimillion-dollar immersive turtle centre set to open

21st October 2015 - Mon Repos Turtle Centre’s makeover in time for turtle season

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