Mon Repos Beach - French for "My Rest" is located just 15kms east of Bundaberg City central. Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the Eastern Australian mainland and is one of the two largest Loggerhead turtle rookeries in the South Pacific Ocean.
Successful breeding here is critical for the survival of this endangered species. Research at Mon Repos ensures this, but the centre is also used to guide other major Queensland rookeries and is an important training centre for research program volunteers and wildlife managers from the Indo-Pacific region. Dr Col Limpus spearheaded a major research project in the 70s, tagging over 100,000 hatchlings. The 30-year research program examines reproductive and migration studies, animal surveys of nesting turtles, behavioural studies and incubation and genetic studies.
More people visit Mon Repos every year to watch nesting turtles and emerging turtle hatchlings. Although turtles nest along the entire "Turtle Coast" between Woodgate and the Town of 1770, long, isolated beaches and darkness ensure few are actually seen. Turtles are also easily disturbed which makes Mon Repos an ideal place for a chance to see these 'ancient mariners'.