More than 4,600 baby turtles have made it safely to the ocean on Bribie Island, thanks to a group of local volunteers working daily to protect nests along one of Queensland’s most popular beach destinations.
The effort took place during the 2025–26 nesting season, which runs from November through April.
The Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA), supported by funding from Unitywater, monitored 58 turtle nests along the island’s northern beaches. Volunteers patrolled a 30-kilometre stretch of coastline each day, checking nests, putting up protective barriers, and stepping in when hatchlings needed help reaching the water.
BIEPA’s wildlife team reported that the work focused on giving both nesting mothers and hatchlings the best chance of survival. The group noted that threats remain high in the area, with predators such as foxes, feral pigs and goannas often targeting nests. Bright artificial lighting was also identified as a major issue, as it can confuse hatchlings and lead them away from the ocean.
Human activity along the beach continues to be another challenge. The organisation highlighted that four-wheel drives can damage nests when driven on sand dunes, while tyre tracks in softer sand can trap hatchlings before they reach the water.
Support from Unitywater’s Healthy and Thriving Community Grants Program allowed volunteers to continue their daily work throughout the season. The funding also helped update a mobile app that provides tide and driving information, aimed at reducing accidental harm to turtle habitats.
Community involvement has played a key role in the program’s success. BIEPA representatives said their goal is to help locals and visitors better understand the unique coastal environment on Bribie Island and the importance of protecting it. Volunteers have continued their patrols in all conditions, working to safeguard nests across the season.
The organisation expects around 1,500 more hatchlings to emerge before the end of the season, adding to what has already been a strong year for turtle conservation on the island.
Published 3-April-2026
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