- The Crisafulli Government is set to deliver another blockbuster Mon Repos turtle season, with tens of thousands of visitors expected to experience one of Queensland’s most iconic wildlife encounters.
- Around 30,000 visitors are forecast to visit Mon Repos this season for the rare opportunity to witness nesting and hatching marine turtles in their natural habitat.
- After the former Labor Government were at loggerheads on tourism during their decade of decline, the Crisafulli Government is delivering its plan to cement Queensland as the home of the holiday.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering more to see and do in regional Queensland, with the iconic Mon Repos Turtle Encounter tours expected to inject more than $13.6 million into the Bundaberg economy this season.
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026-27 turtle season, with around 30,000 visitors expected to flock to Mon Repos between November and March for the rare opportunity to witness endangered marine turtles nesting on the beach and hatchlings making their journey to sea.
The annual turtle season is one of Queensland’s premier nature-based tourism experiences and a major drawcard for the Bundaberg region, supporting local accommodation providers, restaurants, cafes, tourism operators and small businesses.
Visitors travel from across Queensland, interstate and overseas to experience the guided night-time tours led by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers, with Mon Repos recognised as one of the most important loggerhead turtle nesting sites in the South Pacific.
New figures show Queenslanders continue to make up the majority of visitors to Bundaberg, accounting for more than 90 per cent of visitation, while interstate and international demand continues to grow.
Visitation from New South Wales has increased by almost 38 per cent year-on-year, while international visitation linked to the turtle season has also risen strongly.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its plan to cement Queensland as the home of the holiday through its 20-year tourism strategy, Destination 2045, by backing world-class experiences that drive visitation to regional Queensland.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the Mon Repos Turtle Encounter tours showcased the very best of Queensland’s natural attractions.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering more to see and do across regional Queensland, and Mon Repos is expected to generate more than $13.6 million for the Bundaberg economy this season alone,” Minister Powell said.
“These tours don’t just create unforgettable memories for visitors, they deliver real benefits for local cafes, restaurants, accommodation providers and tourism operators right across the Bundaberg region.
“Through Destination 2045, we’re shamelessly backing Queensland’s natural advantages and investing in experiences that encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and explore more of regional Queensland.
“After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is rebuilding Queensland’s tourism pipeline and strengthening our reputation as Australia’s leading destination for world-class ecotourism experiences.”
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the annual turtle season remained one of the region’s biggest tourism drawcards.
“The last turtle season saw almost 1.8 million visitors flock to Bundaberg to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon, and this year we’re hoping to break our international visitation record once again,” Mr Bennett said.
“The benefits are felt right across the Wide Bay because when visitor numbers rise, accommodation fills up, local restaurants are buzzing and businesses see more customers through the door.
“Mon Repos is one of the region’s most unique natural assets and every visitor who comes to see these incredible species contributes to local jobs, businesses and our growing visitor economy.”
Bundaberg Tourism CEO Duncan Little said Mon Repos was a flagship experience for the Southern Great Barrier Reef and a powerful example of what makes our destination distinctive on the national and international stage.
“Few places offer visitors the opportunity to witness one of nature’s most remarkable events while also contributing to conservation outcomes,” Mr Little said.
“Experiences like Mon Repos, in the Bundaberg region strengthen our visitor economy, elevate Queensland’s profile as a leading nature-based tourism destination and encourage visitors to discover everything else our region has to offer.”
Guided Turtle Encounters begin on 7 November 2026 and continue to 21 March 2027.
Tickets are on sale now, to book visit: Mon Repos Turtle Encounter tours | Mon Repos Conservation Park | Parks and forests | Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
