Turtle hatching season in Gladstone

Queensland is Australia’s turtle-watching haven, with no less than six out of the world’s seven turtle species residing in the Great Barrier Reef. Every year from January to April, visitors to the Sunshine State can witness the breathtaking sight of thousands of baby turtles emerging from their nests and making their way to the sea.

Timing a visit to watch the sand writhing with masses of tiny turtles en route to the waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef is easy in the Gladstone region, with destinations, tours and travel options to suit all visitors.

Where to experience turtle hatching season in Gladstone

Turtle hatching hotspot Mon Repos has long been the place to experience turtle hatching season on the Southern Great Barrier Reef and boasts the multi-million dollar Mon Repos Turtle Centre. But with turtle hatching tours often booked out well in advance, hopeful turtle watchers are turning to lesser-known turtle hatching destinations across Queensland, including the stunning beaches and islands around Gladstone.

From Curtis Island north of Gladstone to Deepwater National Park on the mainland south of Agnes Water, turtle watchers have a choice of several destinations in the Gladstone region where they can experience the magic of turtle hatching season in Queensland.

Curtis Island 

Queensland’s third-largest turtle rookery, Curtis Island, is a top destination for encounters with flatback turtles, which breed from November to February, with hatchlings emerging from January to April. Nesting only in Australia, the flatback turtle lays around 54 eggs with the 6-centimetre hatchlings weighing just 44 grams when they begin their march to the sea.

Located just 12 kilometres from the mainland, getting to Curtis Island is a breeze, with Curtis Ferry Services operating a vehicle and passenger ferry to Southend Curtis Island five days a week. As the best time to witness flatback turtles hatching is at dusk and dawn, you’ll want to stay at least one night and arrange accommodation at Capricorn Lodge or the South End Camping Ground in advance.

Heron Island

Once described by Sir David Attenborough as “the most magical place” on earth, Heron Island is an important nesting location for green and leatherback turtles, both of which are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If you’re aiming to witness the magical experience of thousands of baby turtles emerging from their nests, January to April is when you’ll need to plan your visit. 

If you’re staying a night or two you’ll need to stay overnight to witness turtles hatching at dawn and dusk  Heron Island Resort offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all holidaymakers, from singles and couples through to large families and groups. From Gladstone Marina, you have a choice of boat, seaplane and helicopter transfer options, with the most affordable and popular option, the Heron Islander, setting sail five days a week.

Lady Musgrave Island

Home to the endangered green turtle and the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, Lady Musgrave Island is an uninhabited island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef and a must-visit destination for turtle watchers looking for off-the-grid turtle watching experiences. Plan your visit from December to May to witness baby green turtles hatching and February to April for hawksbill turtles.

Visitors to Lady Musgrave Island have several transport options, including air and sea transfers from Agnes Water and 1770. It’s also possible to depart by both air and sea from Bundaberg, 2½ hours south of Gladstone. For those planning on staying the night, camping with a permit is allowed and the only accommodation available on Lady Musgrave Island

Deepwater National Park

The stretch of coastline from Deepwater National Park north to Agnes Water is the only place on the Australian mainland where the endangered leatherback turtle nests. Loggerhead, flatback and green turtles also nest along the sandy and uninhabited coastline from November through to March. While much of Deepwater National Park is accessible only by 4x4, access to the Wreck Rock section, including the campsite, is possible with a 2WD, caravan or RV.

Like other turtle hatching destinations along the Southern Great Barrier Reef, plan your visit from January to April to witness the annual pilgrimage of baby turtles marching to the sea. Deepwater National Park is accessible by road from Agnes Water, 1770 and Gladstone. The Deepwater Coastal Drive (Agnes to Deepwater) is accessible by high-clearance 4x4 only.

Wilson Island

An idyllic coral cay just 40 minutes from Heron Island, Wilson Island's aqua waters and soft white sands are an appealing spot from which to witness turtles' fascinating circle of life, along with plenty of other marine creatures, coastal birds, and hammock views. With just nine glamping tents on the entire island, the buzz of nature is your main entertainment.

The forest-covered and reef-fringed island is an important turtle rookery. From November to March, is the laying season of the resident green turtles, while January to April offers the miracle of the baby green turtles hatching.

Other activities and where to stay

In addition to turtle watching, the Gladstone region is bursting with fun and exciting activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained, with everything from water sports to whale watching (July to October) on offer. Easily accessible from Gladstone and the Southern Great Barrier Reef islands as well as Deepwater NP, the laidback coastal towns of Agnes Water and 1770 are ideal locations for holidaymakers to base themselves during turtle hatching season.

Swimming, surfing, fishing and 4WD adventures are all on the cards for holidaymakers at Agnes Water with its surf beach and rocky headlands, while sailing, kayaking and swimming are popular activities at 1770 with its calmer, more tranquil waters. For campers, Agnes Water Caravan Park is a popular option and Deepwater National Park has campsites at Middle Rock (4x4 access only) and Wreck Rock (conventional vehicle access from the south only). Canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming are great ways to spend the day in and around Deepwater while waiting for the baby turtles to emerge at dawn and dusk.

For visitors planning day tours or overnight stays on Curtis Island or Heron Island, Gladstone City, with its myriad accommodation options, is the most convenient place to base yourself on the mainland. Not only is the bustling tropical city the best jumping-off point for island adventures, but there are plenty of things to do in Gladstone and surrounds, including fishing, a wide range of tours and cruises, museums and Kroombit Tops National Park. 

Eager to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about turtle hatching season in Queensland.