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Tuesday 3 January 2012
Hatch yourself some turtle time in Queensland
Get set for three months of turtle time this January as hundreds of tiny hatchlings muscle their way out of their sandy nests and make a nightly dash for the warm waters off Mon Repos beach, east of Bundaberg in Queensland.
The encounter, which has mesmerised thousands of visitors over the forty year period since Mon Repos was classified as the most significant Loggerhead rookery in the South Pacific, is also one of Australia’s most affordable.
Nightly ranger-guided turtle tours are priced at $10:20 for adults and $5.40 for children (five to 17 years).
According to General Manager of Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism, James Corvan, January is the best time for turtle watchers thanks to the crossover between nesting season, when mature female loggerheads lay eggs and hatching season, when the first baby turtles emerge from their six to eight week incubation period and comically scurry down the beach.
“January offers a double dose of nature with both nesting and hatching a possibility,” said Mr Corvan.
“By the end of 2011, around 150 mature loggerhead females had made their way to shore to nest.
“January promises the arrival of even more nesting turtles and at the same time the nightly emergence of hatchlings.
“On one hand, visitors will be able to get within inches of the giant females and watch them lay between 100 and 150 eggs each night. On the other, they will be asked by rangers to form a line-up and shine torches between onto the beach to create a path that will guide the 5 cm hatchlings to the ocean.”
The hatching season continues through to the end of March.
Bookings are essential for the nightly Turtle Experience Tours. Please call Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre on (07) 4153 8888, email bookeasy@bundabergregion.org or visit www.bookbundabergregion.com.au.
A selection of holiday deals available during ‘turtle season’ include:
Kellys Beach Resort Family Turtle Package – Starting from $54.25 per person per night
The Family Turtle package includes a minimum two nights’ accommodation in a two bedroom villa, continental breakfast daily and a family turtle pass for two adults and two children.
Valid 1/11/11 - 31/3/11. Conditions apply.
www.kellysbeachresort.com.au
Manta Bargara’s “Three for the price of Two Turtle Experience”
Stay three nights and pay for two in a self-contained five star oceanfront apartment just five minutes drive to Mon Repos and walking distance to all restaurants and beaches. Prices start from $220 per night for a two bedroom apartment (sleeps 4 adults) or a $265 for a 3 bedroom apartment (sleeps 6 adults) and are subject to allocation availability.
Valid until 30/3/12, excluding block out dates from 15/12/11-15/1/12.
www.mantabargara.com.au
For more information on Queensland's turtle season, including these packages and others, visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au/turtles
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