On what felt like perfect turtle weather, our community came together en masse — just like our nesting turtles — for the 2026 Inaugural Turtle Festival at Blue Gum Lake. Despite storms, hail, and wild winds, families, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts showed extraordinary commitment, turning up in force to celebrate and protect the turtles that live in our wetlands.
The Festival drew over 150 attendees in stormy conditions, which speaks volumes about the passion our community has for wildlife and conservation. Families arrived with umbrellas, raincoats, and big smiles — proving that when it comes to turtles, nothing stops this community.
Blue Gum Lake proved to be the perfect special location. Attendees joined guided tours through turtle nesting habitats and rehabilitation sites, learning how wetlands function and why they are so vital for the survival of our southwestern snake‑necked turtles. The festival also offered hands‑on learning about turtle ecology and biology, giving people a deeper understanding of the species living right in their backyard.
One of the highlights was the rare chance to learn about the Western Swamp Tortoise — one of the most endangered reptiles on the planet. Its story was a powerful reminder of why conservation matters, how fragile our native species truly are, and how easily our own southwestern snake‑necked turtle could face a similar fate if we’re not careful.
Visitors collected stamps in their Turtle Passports as they explored each stall, discovering fascinating facts about local turtles and practical ways to help protect them. This interactive trail brought people of all ages together, creating a sense of shared purpose and excitement.
The festival buzzed with food and activities, from Scoops Soft Serve, Mild Bite and the Bufobs coffee van to the sausage sizzle, free native plants, colourful face painting by A Magical Day, and the City of Melville’s lively community engagement stall.
The festival also marked the official launch of the City of Melville’s Turtle Tracker Program at Blue Gum Lake — a call for community volunteers to help protect vulnerable nesting females and collect crucial data to support long‑term conservation. The enthusiasm shown at the festival is a promising sign that many new Turtle Trackers will join the effort.
On a stormy day that could have kept people indoors, the community instead chose to stand with their turtles. The turnout, the energy, and the passion were inspiring — a powerful reminder that when people come together, even the smallest species can have a fighting chance.
Want to keep the turtle excitement going? Register here to be a Turtle Tracker and make a difference this nesting season — Blue Gum Lake Turtle Tracker Training.