Nature's miracle at Mon Repos

The night is dark but my torch cuts a lifeline across the sand.

Smaller than the palm of my hand, the hatchling's fins are flailing madly, programmed to take this turtle on a perilous journey that only one in 1,000 will survive.

This is Mon Repos Conservation Park, Australia's most critical loggerhead turtle nesting site, with 505 turtles using the beach as their nursery, laying about 265,000 eggs from November to January.

I am standing on the top of a sand dune, watching the tiny turtles emerge to be collected by a ranger and transported a little closer to the beach.

My Mon Repos Turtle Centre group scored an early hatching to observe, and after a short trek along the shoreline, it was all action for turtle viewing.

Once released from their sand nests, the hatchlings head to the water, attracted by the light of the sea and helped by my hand-held torch painting a path. Some of them collide with my feet, a curiously feathery feeling, before they find their way.

Good luck, little ones.

In 30 years, if fortune is in their favour, some may return to this very beach to lay their own eggs.

The turtle tally at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

After the encounter, I walk 10 minutes back to Turtle Sands Nature Resort, our accommodation conveniently located next door.

But convenience is where indulgence ends. This resort takes turtle conservation very seriously.

Every guest must sign a pledge before staying and during nesting season all outside lights are switched off after 7.30pm.

However, while it might be pitch black outside, tight blinds inside mean it can still be party time.

Artificial light is lethal for hatchlings. Even a porch light can tempt them inland, away from the safety of the ocean and into almost certain death.

For that reason, late resort check-ins are banned, and beach access is limited after dark. The strict rules feel right, given the stakes.

The new Turtle Sands is a far cry from the rustic campground first opened in 1974, where visitors pitched tents right on the dunes.

Resort puts focus on environment

Today, the resort blends environmental ethics with comfort, offering a range of accommodation from traditional camping to glamping tents and villas, some with accessible options, all buffered from the beach by a protected zone.

Solar panels feed Tesla battery storage, hot water comes from hydro pumps, and True Grid pathways allow rainwater to flow naturally back into the ecosystem.

Even the buildings wear ecoconscious coats of paint, chosen for their low reflectivity to minimise disruption to nesting turtles.

Smart energy systems, such as motionsensor air-conditioning and automated blinds, further reduce the resort's environmental footprint.

Driving through the park at night is an exercise in mindfulness.

With only parking lights allowed, reversing into the beachfront cabin's space takes some effort, but the thought of a baby turtle caught in the headlights is all the motivation you need.

By day, Bundaberg offers a vibrant mix of experiences that blend conservation, agriculture, and indulgence.

Brilliantly coloured coral at Monsoon Aquatics.

Start with a visit to Monsoon Aquatics, Australia's largest coral farm.

Their one-hour tour offers an insight into coral cultivation, showcasing a rainbow of coral species and lively reef fish in a sustainable setting.

Some are destined for aquariums; others are being bred for future reef restoration.

Enjoy Bundaberg's delicious produce

The region's famed red volcanic soil not only supports turtles but also nourishes Bundaberg's bountiful produce.

Follow your taste buds to Tinaberries, a local strawberry farm where the Summer Shebang sundae, real strawberries, berry ice cream, and a dash of summer joy make up for missing pick-your-own season.

Macadamias are another star crop here, and you'll pass endless orchards on your drives.

At Macadamias Australia's The Orchard Table, sample everything from roasted nut blends to creamy macadamia gelato.

When seafood calls, head straight to Grunskes by the River, where the trawler-fresh catch is served with river views and casual flair.

You can stock up next door at the factory outlet – cooler bags are available.

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For refined dining, Water St Kitchen delivers a masterclass in modern Australian cuisine with a strong local focus. Their cocktails alone are well worth the trip.

Elsewhere, One Little Farm and The Garden Mill offer vibrant, produce-driven menus perfect for brunch or lunch.

Wrap up your regional immersion at Kalki Moon Distilling Co., a small-batch distillery where a free tour leads into tastings of award-winning gins and rums.

Extend your visit with a cocktail in the gin yard, try your hand at blending spirits, or swing clubs at the Lunar Lounge's virtual golf course, where the bar serves only Queensland-made beer, wine, and spirits.

From hatchlings on a moonlit beach to boutique distilleries and bold regional cuisine, Bundaberg offers more than just a turtle tale.

It's a place where conservation and culinary culture intersect, and where your footprint can help, not harm, one of nature's great migrations.

Kerry Heaney travelled as a guest of Turtle Sands and Bundaberg Tourism Southern Great Barrier Reef.