TURTLES ARRIVE AT VOYAGES HERON ISLAND
Friday, 7 December 2007
The annual turtle breeding season has begun at Voyages Heron Island with the first Loggerhead and Green turtles arriving to nest on the world famous coral cay.
Guests visiting the resort from now until March 2008 will have the opportunity to witness female turtles arriving on shore to nest and hatchlings scurrying to the open sea shortly after being born.
Glenn Daniels, general manager for Voyages Heron Island, said: "The turtle nesting season is the ultimate time for families to visit Heron Island. There are very few places in the world where guests can gather on the beach and watch baby turtles scurrying to the sea after hatching."
Green and Loggerhead turtles arrive on the island to nest at dusk or after dark and guests can catch a glimpse of all the action on a casual walk around the island's beaches or with a nightly 'Turtle Tour' operated by the resort's activities staff.
Female turtles lay their eggs in the same location where they were born and can lay up to 100 eggs in one clutch. Hatchlings emerge from their nests approximately six weeks after nesting and the sex of a turtle is determined on the temperature of the sand in which they are incubated; warmer temperatures produce females and cooler temperatures produce males.
A true coral cay right on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, Voyages Heron Island is renowned for its spectacular dive sites and boasts some of the most amazing and unique natural wonders all year round. Guests visiting the island can also snorkel on coral reefs teaming with fish and marine life, take an eco tours to learn about nesting Wedge-tailed Shearwater birds and Black Noddies; and see humpback whales breeching of the shore during migration.
For more information and/or images please contact:
Louise Longman
phone +61 2 8296 8054 or email louise.longman@voyages.com.au
Bree Corbett
phone +61 2 8296 8106 or email bree.corbett@voyages.com.au
Voyages is an Australian travel company, providing experience-based holidays in spectacular wilderness locations including the Red Centre, Queensland, The Kimberley and Tasmania. Voyages operate award-winning properties such as Ayers Rock Resort, Longitude 131°, Lizard Island, Silky Oaks Lodge and Cradle Mountain Lodge.