Things to Do · Gold Coast Hinterland
Turtle Feeding
$12 per person · Walk-in
Down at the river
Feeding a Wild Turtle, Up Close
At the Water's Edge
A perfect moment for families and couples, and for little ones to get close to wild animals and learn about them.
The Turtles of the Coomera
More than thirty Macquarie short-necked turtles live in this stretch of the Coomera. They are residents of the river, free to come and go, and the greens we offer are a small supplement to what they forage for themselves.
- Wild animals, free to come and go
- Mostly plant eaters, which is why the food is leafy greens
Good to know
Questions We Get Asked
What does it cost?
$12 a person, and the greens are included. Entry to the grounds stays free, and there is no need to book: come down to the jetty on the day.
How many turtles will we see?
It changes with the day and the weather. Some mornings a dozen shells crowd the water below the jetty and some mornings only one or two turn up. More than thirty live in this stretch of the river, so the odds are good.
Are the turtles kept in a pond?
No. They are wild animals living freely in the Coomera River, which runs along the bottom of the property. They come and go as they please, so seeing them is never a certainty, and that is part of the appeal.
Do we touch or hold the turtles?
No. Feeding is done from the platform on the bank with a feeding stick, so there is no hand contact and nobody goes into the water. It keeps the animals calm and everybody safe.
Can we bring food for them?
Please do not. Bread, mince, pellets and raw fish are harmful to these turtles. We provide fresh greens, which is what they eat in the river.
Can a school or a group do it?
Yes, and groups already walk down to the river as part of a visit. Tell us your numbers and the dates you have in mind and we will build it into the day. See school excursions, or get in touch with what you have in mind.