On a lonely beach on the Western Cape, you can make a difference to the life of a tiny turtle hatchling or save an adult turtle from a slow and painful death.

The community of Mapoon, located 80km north of Weipa, has established a beachside base camp for managing turtle conservation at the mouth of Janie Creek. Here at Camp Chivaree tourists are invited to join with rangers from the local indigenous community, clearing beaches of ghost nets and protecting freshly laid eggs from feral pigs.

Operating during the dry season from July to October, you will work alongside the Mapoon Aboriginal owners and researchers as they collect data and measure and tag nesting Flat Back and Olive Ridley turtles.  

This visit is sure to make your heart swell. You will enter one of Australia’s most remote regions, work with the indigenous people who call it home and have a huge impact on saving the turtle, an animal that has survived for 120million years but currently under serious threat.

Getting there:

Weipa is 2490km north of Brisbane on Western Cape York. Access by road or air. You will be driven to Camp Chivaree, an hours beach and 4WD track, south of Mapoon.

By train:

Unfortunately this experience is not accessible by rail. To learn more about other great rail adventures visit the Traveltrain website. To book your rail adventure call Traveltrain Holidays on 1800 627 655.

Further information:  

Camp Chivaree operates during July to October each year.

Cape York Turtle Rescue

Ph 07 4069 9978

Queensland Holidays