The new Turtle Sands Nature Resort at Mon Repos has opened for bookings with the first guests to be welcomed during the September school holidays.
A partnership between NRMA Parks and Resorts NRMA Parks and Resorts and the Queensland Government has allowed the $28 million revamp to the iconic holiday destination on the coast of the Bundaberg Region.
Guests will be able to explore the property’s new website and make a booking online from 24 April, taking their pick from a range of accommodation including villas and studios, glamping tents as well as caravanning and camping sites.
Mon Repos is home to the largest colony of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland, including the most significant nesting population of the endangered loggerhead turtle in the South Pacific region.
NRMA Parks and Resorts CEO Paul Davies said the member organisation was excited to make such significant progress in the development and they were excited to be making bookings live for the September school holidays.
“Turtle Sands is set to offer our guests and NRMA members a wonderful accommodation experience celebrating and supporting the conservation of marine turtles in their natural environment,” Mr Davies said.
“We can’t wait to welcome guests to experience Turtle Sands from September 14 onwards, we hope to see you soon!” he said.
According to NRMA, each onsite accommodation was carefully designed using environmentally-sensitive design elements, such as solar power and energy-saving materials, and all sites are positioned carefully behind the sand-dunes where the region’s loggerhead turtles nest, providing guests with an incredible personal encounter with these creatures as well as a chance to discover more about their behaviours and ways to aid in their conservation.
Once open the property will have a focus on best-practice environmental initiatives, including the implementation of a Turtle Protection Promise which all guests will need to agree to when staying during turtle nesting season through October to April each year.
This Turtle Protection Promise outlines several guidelines to ensure guests don’t impact turtle’s nesting and hatching while staying, which includes minimising the use of lights after dark, staying off the beach at night and avoiding nesting sites.
Turtle Sands Nature Resort also provides important information about the endangered turtles and advice around the most responsible way to visit their precious natural neighbourhood.
NRMA Parks and Resorts said it was proud to collaborate with key stakeholders in this significant tourism project to ensure the sustainable protection of the site and its turtles, and the recognition of the First Nations connections to the site and region.
Partners include the Queensland Government as well as the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda Registered Native Title Body Corporate, whose members remain on the site daily to monitor earthworks for the identification and preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
For more information phone 1800 766 133 or visit www.turtlesands.com.au
I hope they still have enough money to open a cafe at their Woodgate Beach caravan park.
That & the little shop, which has been open for decades, were closed at the end of April.
The cafe was extremely popular with locals & visitors, especially those staying at the park.
NRMA will not advise anyone of their plans. Perhaps this newspaper could make enquiries.