NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Turtle Sands Nature Resort at Mon Repos, near Bundaberg has been recognized with the New Tourism Business Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2025, acknowledging the resort’s strong sustainability credentials and careful development approach within the Southern Great Barrier Reef region.
Following five years of planning, Turtle Sands opened in 2024 and is located behind the dunes at Mon Repos beach, home to the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australia mainland. The resort was redeveloped and operates under strict planning and environmental approvals, with the protection of the turtle population and their habitat a central consideration in its planning, design and ongoing operations.
Sustainable design and management measures underpin the guest experience at Turtle Sands, the resort and all its accommodations were designed to limit glow and light spill from reaching the beach. This includes sensitive building design, automated lighting controls landscaping, reduced beach access points, permeable pavements and a guest education program that encourages responsible behaviour through our Turtle Protection Promise.
Further supporting its sustainability and cultural foundations, Turtle Sands partners with Bundaberg-based First Nations owned and operated Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours, offering guests an exclusive guided experience that explores the ecological and Aboriginal cultural significance of Mon Repos.
The Queensland Tourism Awards are delivered by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and recognise excellence and innovation across the state’s tourism industry. The award provides trade partners with confidence in promoting Turtle Sands as a purpose-designed, sustainable-led tourism experience.
Trade partners interested in including Turtle Sands Nature Resort in sustainable itineraries are invited to contact contracts@nrmaparks.com.au.
