About the Centre

The Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is a voluntary-based, non-profit organization dedicated to treating sick and injured turtles. Established in 2000, the centre moved to a new facility on Fitzroy Island in 2013 to accommodate more turtles and improve recovery rates. The centre now boasts a success rate of 85% for rehabilitating turtles, one of the highest in Australia.

Turtle Care and Rehabilitation

Turtles are brought to the centre from the Great Barrier Reef and Cape York Peninsula. The most common species treated are the Green and Hawksbill turtles. These turtles often suffer from 'floaters syndrome,' which affects their ability to dive and feed. Recovery can take from 6 to 24 months, during which turtles are fed daily, with an initial weekly food cost of about $150 per turtle.

Educational Tours

Visitors can join educational tours held daily at 1 pm, except on Fridays when the vet visits. Tours are subject to availability, so it's best to contact Fitzroy Island Resort reception to book in advance.

Meet Magic the Turtle

One notable patient, a Green Turtle named Magic, was rescued and treated at the centre. Sponsored by Reef Magic, Magic was the first turtle released with a satellite tracker, allowing researchers to follow her movements and monitor her progress.

Sea Turtle Facts

1. Six of the world's seven species of marine turtles are found in Australian waters.
2. Marine turtles have existed for over 100 million years.
3. Only 1 in 1000 turtles survive to maturity.
4. A resting turtle can stay underwater for 4-7 hours.
5. The Leatherback turtle can dive up to 1000 metres deep.
6. Sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation.
7. They take decades to reach sexual maturity and can live 60-80 years.
8. Turtles are omnivores, commonly eating sea grass and jellyfish.