Summary
World Science Festival Brisbane’s annual turtle hatching is an important conservation initiative that allows intimate access to Australia’s precious Loggerhead turtles. Visitors to the festival can get a rare glimpse of hatching turtles in their incubation chambers and the first moments of their ocean lives as they meet a seawater environment in specially designed tanks.
In 2019 the Hatchery will be extended into an education program focused on the increasing threats of plastic pollutions to these special and endearing marine animals.
This initiative is designed in collaboration with internationally renowned herpetologist Colin Limpus and Queensland Museum Senior Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians, Biodiversity Program and Chair of the Animal Ethics Committee Patrick Couper.
After the festival, the newborn turtles will be transported to the Sunshine Coast and released 20 km off shore.
Session information
A session consists of 60 students, split into three groups that rotate through three stations: a turtle talk, a marine plastic workstation and the incubation room. Please make note of the entry location on your ticket.
Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled ticket entry time. For example, if your ticket time is 10am please arrive at the Museum no later than 9.50am.
The Hatchery is open to the general public after 2.30pm.
More information
- All tickets purchased are for single entry.
- Large bags, food and drink cannot be taken into The Hatchery.
- Please note the student to adult ratio – please see our Information for Schools page for details.
- Maximum of 60 tickets per school.
- Want to get involved prior to the Festival? Become a Hatchery Crusader.
To book
Complete the QTIX School Group Booking Request Form.
If you have any questions, please phone a QTIX Groups Bookings Officer on (07) 3840 7466.
Curriculum Links
Download the curriculum links.
Live Streaming
Tune into this page during the Festival to see our turtles hatching live streamed here.