Turtle Hospital

The Reef HQ Aquarium Turtle Hospital opened on the 24 August 2009 by the honourable Peter Garrett AM MP, Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts.

The hospital is designed to rehabilitate sick and injured marine turtles so they can be released back into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, enhancing their long term survival and sustainability as a threatened species.

Since opening, over 35 marine turtles and one baby dugong have been cared for. The turtle hospital provides a dedicated facility, where sick and injured marine turtles can be cared for and rehabilitated.

The hospital operates under and promotes the C.A.R.E (Conserve. Act. Rehabilitate. Educate) philosophy playing a key role in raising community awareness in relation to threatened species and encouraging behavioural change that contributes to nature conservation. 

Six of the world's seven species of marine turtles are found on the Great Barrier Reef, and staff of the Turtle Hospital believe that local residents and the population at large have a special role to play in looking after them.

The new facility will provide visitors with an opportunity to see and learn about the plight of marine sea turtles, through educational talks and guided tours of the hospital.

Turtle Hospital tours depart daily at 12noon and 3.30pm. 

To make a contribution to the hospital contact Reef HQ Aquarium, Email: info@reefHQ.com.au or Ph: +617 4750 0800, or pledge a donation direct at Reef HQ Aquarium Admissions. 100% tax deductible philanthropic receipts are available.