We are delighted to welcome back our travel guest writer and author of a new guide book called Kids Welcome to Queensland. This book takes the hard work out of planning a holiday or day out in Queensland. Jam-packed with reviews of activities, attractions, tours, places to eat and places to stay, it has been called “a must for every glove-box” and has been endorsed by Tourism Queensland and Playgroup Queensland.
A unique traffic light rating system enables parents to gauge suitability for preschoolers, primary age and teens at a glance.
Kids Welcome to Queensland retails for $29.95 and makes a wonderful gift! It is available at all bookshops and information centres or online at www.kidswelcome.com.au
PS. only 4 weeks until school holidays!
Turtles at Mon Repos
It’s one of nature’s wonders, to watch the whale migration or the march of the penguins, and it takes place every year at Mon Repos, near Bundaberg in what Queensland Parks and Wildlife calls “the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific Ocean region”. It is here turtles nest and hatch in huge numbers.
There are two distinct ‘seasons’ at Mon Repos – the laying and the hatching. The first takes place from November to January and the second from January to March. Each night those tourists who have made a reservation, arrive at the Ranger Centre at 6.40pm. Divided into groups and shown videos about the star attraction they wait for the spectacle to begin. Meanwhile, rangers patrol the beach. The waiting is the hardest part and I suggest you take a game and plenty of nibbles with you. The wait can take anything from a few minutes to a few hours.
Watching a huge reptile give birth is an unbelievable experience at any age and I had thought nothing could surpass the laying experience, but the hatching is even better. When all babies have emerged, the ranger asks for volunteers to form a tunnel with legs apart (just like tunnel ball). Shining torches on the legs in front, they light the way to the waves. Within seconds the ground between your feet is crawling as little flippers propels the reptiles to freedom. Only a miniscule percentage will make it to adulthood, but those who do will be back in 30 years to start the process again.
Mon Repos beach access is restricted 6pm to 6am and those camping nearby are asked to turn off lights that distract the turtles. This ‘tread softly’ approach is designed avoid impacting this natural wonder. During the day however, is another story. Then, the beach is available for swimming, sandcastles and turtle track spotting. It’s even possible to find old egg shells in the eroding sand dunes which make a wonderful ‘show and tell’.
Although there are plenty of accommodation options in nearby Bundaberg or Bargara, the closest place to stay is Turtle Sands where tent sites and cabins are available. From there the Visitor’s Centre is a short walk along a track flanked by a rock wall made by Kanakas over 100 years ago. For more information about camping phone Turtle Sands: 4159 2340 or visit their website.
Address: Bargara Beach, Bundaberg Phone: 07 4153 8888 Web: www.bookbundabergregion.com.au Price: Adults $9.60, children $5.10, family $22.85
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atrol the beach. The waiting is the hardest part and I suggest you take a game and plenty of nibbles with you. The wait can take anything from a few minutes to a few hours.)
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