Nobody goes to Bundaberg! (turtle nesting)

When we told fellow backpackers we were off to Bundaberg next we received some odd looks. Apparently no one goes to Bundy. It is a little off the backpacker track but i booked Cj and i into a 'nightly turtle nesting encounter' tour, which actually ended up being one of our favourite and most unusual experiences yet.

We arrived in Bundy and soon learned that it was more of a fruit picking place. The hostels where catered more to the 3months living backpacker so we decided not to stay in them and splash out on a motel room with a kitchenette. It was actually really nice an had a swimming pool, bbq an TV. We were also the only one's staying at the motel so pretty much had all the facilities to ourselves. 

The motel was about 5 miles from Bundaberg and was a really pretty lil seaside town. We walked through the national park where there were loads of kangaroos jumping around. 

At about 5pm on our first day we made our way to Mon Repos conservation beach. We took part in a tour where you can witness sea turtles com onto the private beach and lay their eggs. It was an amazing experience.

As it's nature, the turtles are unpredictable as to when they come. We where lucky and got escorted to the beach at about 8:30pm. At first we had to stat well away from the turtle and we stood at the sea next to it's track. After a while we followed the turtle track to the sand dune. We stood behind the turtle. It was a female loggerhead the size of a bean bag. She was digging a deep hole with her back flippers.  We watched her lay 120 eggs into the hole. 

Apparently she doesn't mind us being there, it wont stop her laying her eggs. It was fascinating watching the researchers check the turtle, measure the nest and make sure everything was ok. 

Once the turtle finished filling the neat back up with sand she crawled back to sea. We got to follow her back to sea and watch her swim off. It was amazing.

 

The next day we decided to chill at the beach and have our first Auzzie bbq by the pool. 

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We found this street in Bargara, it reminded us of the Auzzie soap Neighbours:)