So a few days after Claire, Rob and Emma left we headed up North with Gary's parents to Bargara. Bargara is about 3 hours north from the Sunshine Coast and is on the coastline. We chose there as at this time of year it is the wet season in the Whitsundays so not the optimal time to be heading that far north. We had also heard about the Mon Repos turtle experience which we were very keen to experience.
We had five nights / six days up there in a lovely 4 bedroom apartment over looking the beach. Although slightly windy the weather was otherwise perfect, mostly blue skies and around 29 degrees most days. Most of the week was spent truly relaxing with visits to beaches, parks and cafes, a rest time in the afternoon for both the kids and us. It is such a treat to sit down in the afternoon with a book and know there is nothing you NEED to do.
The highlight for all of us was the Mon Repos's turtle experience. Mon Repos is a conservation park / beach that is the largest nesting ground of the loggerhead turtles. It's a luck of the draw whether you manage to see the turtles either laying or hatching. We were in the first group of 50 to head out to the beach on our little expedition. We headed out with no torches and limited light from the pathway and guide to look for the action. We walked a little way along the beach until the site of a hatching was located, having kids was fantastic as we ended up sitting at the front of the circle watching the erupting turtles. It was like watching a volcano erupting except it wasn't from a mound but rather flat sand that ended up as a hole. Amazing! The hatching we viewed produced 114 live turtles (and about 12 that didn't survive). Turtles follow the light from the horizon to get to the sea (NB the limited light we could produce) so with the use of torches, the guides guided the turtles to a safe enclosure while they continued telling us about them and bringing one round for us to see close up and hold. Caitlin and Ryan were mesmerised and extremely gentle. After this we formed two lines out to sea with some volunteers to stand making a tunnel with their legs, pointing the torches so the hatching's could run out to sea. Caitlin and Gary were the beginning of the tunnel, Caitlin was amazing and ever so still. I thought she might freak out with 114 little creatures running at her and over her feet but no she was incredible and blown away by the whole experience. The whole night was even more special for the kids as they didn't get to bed until 9.30 - what a treat. During the busy season some groups don't get out to the beach until midnight, not sure they could have coped with that, so we were very lucky.
So all in all it was a lovely, relaxing and fun time away. Maybe next time we'll head up during the laying season.
