NRMA and Queensland Government partner for year-round Mon Repos tourism experience

The NRMA and Queensland Government have partnered to transform Turtle Sands Holiday Park at Mon Repos into a year-round ecotourism attraction.

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.

Following their acquisition of the property in 2022, NRMA Parks and Resorts has announced a $28 million revamp to this holiday destination.

The overarching vision is to create a tourism experience that is both a great year-round holiday destination and a unique nature and cultural experience. NRMA is already working closely with Gidarjil Development Corporation to plan a program of cultural experiences and considered nature encounters.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the project was estimated to attract over 90,000 visitors and generate more than $13 million in overnight visitor expenditure a year.

Minister Hinchliffe enthused “this is a terrific partnership with NRMA Parks and Resorts who see the value in delivering more quality-based tourism infrastructure, to give visitors that extra level of comfort when they come to immerse themselves in this very unique holiday experience.

“Tourism operators tell me there’s a strong global desire for more meaningful ecotourism experiences and Turtle Sands Holiday Park ticks all the boxes, while creating over 70 good construction and operational jobs.”

NRMA Parks and Resorts Chief Executive Paul Davies said the preservation of this unique natural location, a critical nesting ground for one of Australia’s most important marine animals, was key to its operation.

Davies shared “the new Turtle Sands will offer an immersive accommodation tourism experience celebrating and supporting the conservation of marine turtles in their natural environment.

“The NRMA recognises the responsibility in working adjacent to the environmentally sensitive Mon Repos Conservation Park and a comprehensive set of Federal, State and Local Government environmental and design approvals guidelines are in place for the development.

“The design and operation of the Turtle Sands Holiday Park will adopt best practice environmental standards to protect this unique location, especially during the nesting season for turtles, including night-time light controls and restricted beach access.”

Included in the plan is an interactive education program and guest activities that encourage participation in hands-on conservation initiatives. Essential to the plan for the destination to have year-round appeal for guests is the consistent protection of the dunes and rookeries where the turtles nest.

For more information on NRMA Parks and Resorts visit www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/

Image top (from left): Christina Canendo – Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport; Di Ellis – NRMA Parks and Resorts; Katherine Reid – Bundaberg Tourism: Mayor of the Bundaberg Regional Council Jack Dempsey, Patricia O’Callaghan – Tourism Events Queensland; Paul Davies NRMA Parks and Resorts Chief Executive; Kerry Blackman – Gidarjil; Brett Fraser Queensland Tourism Industry Council; Cr Steve Cooper - Bundaberg Regional Council; Elsa Dalessio Queensland Tourism Industry Council; Image above Mon Repos turtle hatchling