Turtle Cove: Australia’s Only Gay Resort
Nestled between Cairns and Port Douglas, Turtle Cove Beach Resort has been an iconic sanctuary for the LGBTQIA+ community for over 26 years. The resort stands as Australia’s only all-gay beach resort, born from the vision of local trailblazer Bert in the late 1980s. With its stunning private beachfront and secluded location, Turtle Cove has weathered both triumphs and challenges, emerging as a resilient beacon for queer travellers. From its humble beginnings and near collapse to its revitalisation under Bert’s leadership, Turtle Cove remains a cherished retreat where the LGBTQIA+ community can find solace and celebration. We had a chance to talk to Nathan Bonneau-Plassa from Turtle Cove about its history and what they’re up to now.
Could you tell us a bit about the history of Turtle Cove and how it became the only LGBTQ beach resort in Australia?
Turtle Cove has been around for over 30 years. In the late 1980s, Turtle Cove founder Bert dreamed of creating an all-gay-only resort. After nearly three years of searching, he found the perfect location in 1992—what would become Turtle Cove Beach Resort. With the help of friends, including the famous STD and HIV/AIDS specialist Dr. David Bradford, they purchased the rundown property and rebuilt it to cater to the LGBTQIA community.
The resort opened in 1993 and quickly became successful, attracting members of the community from all over the country and overseas.
Tell us about the journey Turtle Cove has gone through since its opening.
In 2005 after over a decade of successfully running the resort, Turtle Cove (like the rest of the world around this time) ran into a few economic challenges which led to its decline.
However, in 2009 a couple from Melbourne discovered the neglected resort and persuaded Bert to return and revive it. Since then, the resort has been fully functional and remains a haven for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies after 26 years of operation.
What unique amenities and experiences does Turtle Cove offer specifically for LGBTQ guests?
All of Turtle Cove is set up to cater towards the LGBTQIA+ community. To list a few of the amenities, the resort features a private beach (clothing optional), pool/spa, massage services, beachfront rooms, events, and amazing views.
How do you ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all guests, particularly those from the LGBTQ community?
We don’t have many rules, however a respectful venue is what we pride ourselves on. Disrespectful people are dealt with by management and asked to leave- however this has only ever happened twice.
What challenges has Turtle Cove faced as an LGBTQ-focused resort, and how have you overcome them?
Honestly, the queer community being put in the spotlight over the last few years in Australia has also come at a cost. Things like Grindr and even the YES vote now means that there are more places than ever before that queer people can go to feel safe- which also means people feel that there is less of a need for exclusively queer spaces. In acknowledgement of this shift, we opened up to ALL respectful adults and allies in 2019.
You can book your stay at Turtle Cove through their website HERE, and check out their Instagram page HERE.
