Things to Do · Gold Coast Hinterland
Turtle Feeding
Coming soon
Down at the river
Feeding a Wild Turtle, Up Close
Wild, not kept
They live in the river year round
Led by our team
Someone sits with you throughout
Fresh greens supplied
Sticks and food come from us
At the Water's Edge
One of our team takes you down to the river with a cup of greens and a feeding stick, and the turtles come up to feed. A perfect moment for families, and for little ones to get close to wild animals and learn about them.
- Feeding from the platform on the bank, with a stick
- No hand contact, and nobody goes into the water
- More than thirty wild turtles living in the river below
The Turtles of the Coomera
More than thirty of them live in this stretch of the Coomera, and they are here of their own accord. Nobody put them in the river and nobody keeps them, so they come to the jetty when they feel like it.
- 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
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.