Back to Nature tour to Mon Repos and turtle hatchlings

by Warwick Combined Probus Club | 06 Jun 2016

The highlight of the tour was the night viewing of the loggerhead turtle hatchlings as they emerged from the nest and scuttled across the beach to the sea.  Thus begins the turtles’ long journey to the west coast of South America and back as 15 year old adults to nest at Mon Repos when they mature. 

Photo: Lesson time as the dolphins arrive at Barnacles for their rations. 

The turtle discovery centre which is manned by volunteers has static displays and a sound and a video presentation which provide information before visitors are escorted to the beach.

Visitors are allocated to groups of around 60.  Volunteers monitor nests.  When the hatchlings are ready to emerge the groups are escorted to the site of the nest.  Guides then talk about the arrival of the turtles to dig their nests and to lay their eggs, and the potential life cycle of the hatchlings. 

Photo: Arthur Maynard and friends.

The baby turtles (100 in this nest) erupt from the nest having dug their way out through around 25 cm of sand. As the turtles instinctively headed for the light and the water, they were caught so the visitors could get a close look and feel the strength in their little bodies and flippers.

Photo: Salvaged propeller from the Centaur hospital ship.  Arthur Maynard, John Corcut, Jan Corcut 

We formed 3 lines, about 2 metres apart.  The centre line formed up like a tunnel ball team from the nest to the water’s edge.  Each had brought a torch, which they shone up the beach to encourage the hatchlings to find their way to the sea.  A three year old boy stood with his dad, holding the torch, and was obviously terrified that he would step on a turtle.

Photo: View of the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Glasshouse mountains. 

The four day odyssey started with a visit to the scenic Wyaralong Dam for scones and coffee.  This dam was completed in 2011.  It is the newest dam in South East Queensland.  The water is unsuitable for stock, crops or human consumption. The park provides more than 40 kilometres of trails for walkers, and riders of horses and mountain bikes.   Tin Can Bay provided excellent accommodation and dinner in a restaurant where we enjoyed the reflections on the water and the night life. 

Photo: Up close with hatchling loggerhead turtles. 

A waterfront breakfast at Barnacles café was followed by feeding the dolphins which visit daily for their regular snack.  Volunteers assist over 100 visitors daily to feed tiny fish to wild dolphins.  Government departments and environmental groups monitor the activity to ensure that the dolphins do not come to rely on the small daily ration provided by the visitors. 

Photo:  Getting personal with a Macaw.  Fiona Wells feels a little nervous.  Husband Ken is delighted, while Barbara Maynard and Ron Mobbs share the moment. 

From Rainbow Beach we viewed the coloured sands in the distance before meeting at the surf club for lunch overlooking the ocean beach.  The salvaged propeller of the “Centaur” is displayed in a memorial garden close to the shore.

We took the scenic route to Bargara for our overnight stay.  We drove through forest and native vegetation bypassing Gympie and re-joining the Bruce Highway at Maryborough.  A brief stop at the Peanut Van in Childers provided refreshment for the rest of the tour.

The night of turtle viewing led to a late start for the drive to Montville through the picturesque Blackall ranges.  There was time to empty our wallets at the various retail outlets before returning to the Montville Mountain Inn Resort hidden within a well kept rainforest.

The final attraction was the magnificent Maleny Botanic Gardens.  Nestled in a corner of the mountains, the gardens contain a wonderful collection of native and imported plants.  The landscaping takes full advantage of the borrowed landscape beyond the boundaries of the gardens to provide magnificent views featuring the Glasshouse Mountains.  Within the gardens is a large aviary where Australian and exotic birds fly freely among the visitors as the staff provide informative tours of the aviary.

Crisps Coaches organised this odyssey providing many opportunities to experience nature through the land and sea scapes and interaction with flora and fauna.