TURTLE SANDS NATURE RESORT

Welcome to Turtle Sands – a Sanctuary by the Sea

Turtle Sands at Mon Repos is no ordinary holiday destination; it’s a vital, living sanctuary where nature meets modern comfort. Imagine a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, nestled among rolling sand dunes and caressed by the salty tang of South Pacific breezes. This is Australia’s newest turtle see-and-stay experience, a refuge offering visitors an intimate connection to the natural world. The compelling allure of Turtle Sands is its unique setting: nowhere else on the mainland can you step outside your door and witness turtles nesting and hatching right on the shore.

Serenity literally greets you as you arrive, with the gentle sounds of ocean waves lapping the shoreline and the rustle of the coastal breeze winding through the dunes punctuated by the melodious calls of native birds. Turtle Sands gently lulls you into relaxation, with its secluded beach setting offering opportunities to escape into lush natural surroundings both on land and in the sea. Visitors can’t help being captivated by the peaceful beauty of this environmentally protected area, where your stay is designed to be immersive but respectful to the delicate natural ecosystem and the majestic creatures that call it home.

The heart of Turtle Sands beats softly and gently, set within its spectacular gardens and under the welcome shade of a great tree. Here, the large turtle-shaped swimming pool beckons, a playful nod to the marine life you’ve come to admire. This central social area, with its outdoor seating surrounded by nature’s finest, is an invitation to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with nature and your travelling companions.

Where Nature and Comfort Converge

We at Turtle Sands encourage guests to stay awhile and explore, choosing from a wide selection of accommodation tailored for every type of traveller. 

Spacious three-bedroom poolside villas accommodating up to eight guests promise both luxury and privacy for families or groups of friends. In addition to a fully equipped kitchen and indoor dining area, there’s also a spacious balcony with a barbecue and an outdoor dining area. The two- and three-bedroom beachside villas accommodate up to six and four guests, respectively, and also feature spacious barbecue-equipped balconies, as well as offering the gentle splash of the waves as a constant lullaby. Open-plan, self-contained studio rooms accommodating two guests are located close to property facilities and are equipped with a kitchenette and a shared balcony. Providing a perfect blend of comfort and convenience, they are ideal for couples or solo travellers looking for a peaceful retreat into nature’s embrace. 

For an unparalleled view of the main attraction, the Beach House is the closest accommodation to the water’s edge. Perfect for couples, this secluded, sleek and modern open-plan residence has all the amenities you could wish for, including a balcony giving stunning vistas of Mon Repos Beach, with a gorgeous, sweeping oceanic backdrop.

The allure of glamping at Turtle Sands cannot be overstated; it’s a rare blend of earthy allure and modern luxury. These contemporary tents provide a chic embrace of the natural environment, suitable for families and solo travellers alike. Visitors with their own campers or caravans can use our powered campsites.

The Heartbeat of Turtle Sands – Turtle Encounters

Turtle Sands isn’t just a place where you rest your head at night; it’s your base for an evocative journey into the region’s rich marine life. During nesting season, from November to January, the real magic of this place reveals itself as majestic marine turtles make their way ashore, continuing a timeless cycle of life and renewal. Six to eight weeks after nesting, from January to March, the tiny hatchlings emerge from their sandy nests to scuttle down the beach towards the sea. 

Turtle Sands stands conveniently at the doorstep of the multimillion dollar interpretive Mon Repos Turtle Centre. This famed conservation site is dedicated to preserving the future of the endangered loggerhead turtle and other marine species through the three pillars of research, protection and education. Joining a knowledgeable Park Ranger on a guided tour is an absolute must to experience first-hand the silent beauty of the largest colony of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. Listen to the soft, rhythmic movements of these ancient mariners as they settle into the sand, mirroring the age-old rhythm of the ocean itself.

The nightly Mon Repos Turtle Encounter, which runs from November through March, is a rite of passage for visitors. They offer a deeply enriching experience to witness these awe-inspiring creatures heave themselves up the beach to nest and then make their way slowly back to their ocean home, or their tiny hatchlings emerge in droves before scurrying away to safety in the ocean. To avoid disappointment, make sure to book early: bookings, which are essential, open in September on the Queensland Parks and Wildlife website or through the Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre. You can also book directly with the NRMA Sales Centre on 1800 371 211 when you arrange your stay.

Guests can learn more at the Turtle Centre through interactive exhibits, engaging displays and audio content – each of them an immersion into the critical conservation efforts happening at Mon Repos. Children will love exploring the Junior Discovery area. Turtle encounters, combined with a visit to the educational Turtle Centre, define Turtle Sands and add layers of meaning and understanding to the experience of visiting the delicate ecology of the region.

Enjoy drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Milbi Cafe while visiting the Turtle and Centre or awaiting your tour. Guests should note that cafe hours may change depending on the season.

Surrounding Adventures

Beyond Turtle Sands, the region brims with opportunities for exploration and adventure. The Southern Great Barrier Reef lies close by, a paradise for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. Lady Musgrave Island, with its pristine coral, vibrant marine life and teeming birdlife, invites adventurers to explore the azure lagoon. Lady Musgrave Experience offers a range of tours – from diving and snorkelling day trips to an unforgettable overnight sleep on their award-winning eco-pontoon – that are both educational and inspirational. During the migration season, the company also offers humpback whale-watching tours. Lady Musgrave Experience being the holder of an Advanced Ecotourism Certificate from Ecotourism Australia, you can rest assured that your impact on the environment will be minimal.

Bargara’s charming beachside family-friendly town is a mere six-minute drive from Turtle Sands. The palm-tree-lined Esplanade is ideal for a morning jog or an afternoon walk, and with six kilometres of paved pathway it’s also perfect for scooters, bikes, walkers and wheelchairs. There are parks, cafes, shops and activities aplenty to explore, as well as numerous beaches with year-round swimming. The Basin is a protected swimming spot for young and old, best visited in high tide, when you can take some bread down and feed the many fish that swim around your legs – or pop some goggles on to take a peek.

Inland, you can visit Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and take a self-guided walk through the gallery to learn how they craft and bottle the iconic Bundaberg Ginger Beer. Or you can choose to explore Bundaberg’s renowned rum distillery on a guided or self-guided tour, shop from the exclusive range of rums and limited editions available only at the distillery, and browse a wide range of merchandise for keepsakes and presents.

The region pulses with culinary delights and cultural experiences, from Tinaberries’ strawberry delights to macadamia orchards’ self-guided tours. Visit Tinaberries’ during strawberry season from June to October to purchase the freshest strawberries available, or pick your own during September. Macadamias Australia’s Visitor Experience is one of the Bundaberg Region’s newest offerings. The Visitor Experience includes a self-guided journey through the recycled macadamia wood totems and interactive screens. Their Orchard Table Cafe offers fresh seasonal and local produce, freshly prepared in the kitchen with a macadamia twist, great coffee and gourmet gelato in a picturesque orchard setting.

Adventurous and energetic guests can hire an e-bike to explore nearby attractions and trails along the beach that lead to secluded beaches. 

These rich and varied experiences a short ride or drive away from the resort are a perfect complement to a serene stay at Turtle Sands. 

Mon Repos Turtle Encounter Tours

Turtles are wild marine animals and sightings can’t be guaranteed. What’s more, turtles may arrive late at night, meaning a tour can last up to six hours. A moderate level of fitness is required for the tour as visitors will need to walk through sandy conditions – including short, steep sandy sections over dunes – for up to 1.6 kilometres at night in natural or very limited light due to a strict artificial light restriction. You may need to stand on uneven, sandy surfaces for up to two hours. As such, the tours are not suitable for wheelchairs, except for all-terrain wheelchairs. (Note that all-terrain wheelchairs and additional assistance must be supplied by visitors themselves.) Visitors with sensory sensitivities should note that Turtle Encounter groups can include up to 60 people.

Accessibility at Turtle Sands

Turtle Sands is deeply committed to inclusivity. Designed in a way for everyone to stay, no matter what their preference, Turtle Sands offers villas, studios, accessible accommodation options, glamping tents, and powered caravan and camp sites.

Turtle Sands takes pride in being a welcoming destination for all, with accessibility features integrated across the property. The resort has wheelchair access throughout, with ramps leading to wide entryways, providing seamless movement to all public facilities, including the kiosk, camp kitchen and swimming pool. Roads and pathways throughout the resort are unsealed, so visitors should take care, particularly in or following wet weather.

Braille signage on all toilet and amenities doors, as well as reception and camp kitchen entryways, making the facility easy to navigate. Tactile ground surface indicators mark the top and bottom of all stairways. Although all accommodations have walk-in showers, most are accessed via stairs with handrails. Standard villas and glamping accommodation have six steps, while studio accommodations have four steps.

There are four specially designed accessible accommodation units for visitors to Turtle Sands, which all exceed building-code accessibility standards: ramps, wide entryways and accessible bathrooms are just the beginning. We have worked with accessible consultants to tailor further upgrades such as adjusted heights of benchtops, window controls, shelving and taps. Additionally, appliances include custom-designed, wheelchair-accessible ovens, sinks and basins. We understand that people with access needs deserve the same choices as other guests, so visitors can choose between a three-bedroom accessible beach villa or an accessible studio room.

There are also accessible bathrooms located in the main amenities building. Mobility equipment such as a beach and pool wheelchair, as well as a walker, are available for those who need them, allowing everyone to partake in all Turtle Sands has to offer. There is currently no pool hoist, but there is ramped access with a handrail. With staff available to assist with accessibility needs, every guest can fully engage in this unique, environmentally sensitive retreat designed for enjoyment by all.

Assistance animals are welcome. If you intend to bring an assistance animal, please let us know at the time of booking or contact our team prior to your arrival, and make sure you bring a valid permit. 

Upon arrival guests are asked what assistance may be required in an emergency, and this is documented in the resort’s system, and emergency evacuation procedures include people with disability. There are flashing light alarms for Deaf guests, and vibrating pillow alarms are available on request.

Taxis and rideshares vehicle service Turtle Sands, making it accessible whether you travel by public means or your own. Accessible parking is available conveniently next to the accommodations or at the visitors’ car park, making sure you don’t have far to go to check-in.