Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue Inc

01/06/2026

On Sunday, Dave and Tammy from helped release five post-hatchlings, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Nirvana, Cyndi Lauper, and Hatchie, back into the wild after they came into our care following the recent rough weather and swell. 🐢💙

These little turtles were suffering from exhaustion, with some having ingested plastic and presenting with other health concerns identified during assessment. After spending some time in care receiving treatment and support, they were finally ready to head home and were released into the East Australian Current (EAC).

A massive shout out to Dave and Tammy for helping get these little turtles safely back out into the wild. We truly appreciate your ongoing support and everything you do to help our turtles.

27/05/2026

WORLD OCEANS DAY GIVEAWAY!

NSW TurtleWatch and Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue are teaming up to celebrate World Oceans Day 2026 with an exciting giveaway valued at $300! 💙

Our oceans are home to incredible marine wildlife, including the sea turtles and seabirds we work so hard to protect every day. This giveaway is all about celebrating our blue planet and inspiring our community to help create waves of change for our oceans.

To enter:
✔ Follow and
✔ Like this post
✔ Tag a friend in the comments
✔ Share to your story for a bonus entry

Entries close midnight Sunday 8th June 2026.

Together, we can help protect marine wildlife and keep our oceans thriving for generations to come.

25/05/2026

🐢💙 Help Give Wildlife a Second Chance This EOFY 💙🪶

As we approach the end of the financial year, we’re asking for your support to help us continue rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick and injured marine wildlife.

Every year, Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue responds to hundreds of rescues across the Northern Rivers, caring for sea turtles, seabirds, shorebirds, and sea snakes in need of urgent help. From entanglements and boat strikes to illness, starvation, and pollution, many of these animals arrive needing extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

Your donation helps provide:
🐢 Medical treatment and rehabilitation
🐟 Food and specialised care
🚑 Rescue equipment and transport
💙 Ongoing support for animals on their road to recovery

The reality is, we couldn’t do this work without the support of our community.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps give vulnerable wildlife the best chance at recovery and returning home to the wild.

And the best part? Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

If you would like to support the work we do this EOFY, now is the perfect time to make a difference.

Thank you for supporting Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue 💙

Click on the link to donate
https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=oNP9JcefRRS92FW3VuO68QtuYEdO_gcwNc4CSQerKwm_WKzt65wNtprwpi3ZemNIaHX6TjA-USyNwGUO

20/05/2026

💙 National Volunteer Week 💙

This National Volunteer Week, we want to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the incredible people who make the work we do possible, our volunteers.

Behind every rescue, every rehabilitation, every early morning feed, late night check, beach rescue, tank clean, fundraising event, educational tour, and turtle release is a team of passionate people giving their time to help animals that cannot help themselves.

Our volunteers show up in all weather, at all hours, and often behind the scenes without recognition. They help rescue injured seabirds and sea turtles, assist with animal care and rehabilitation, transport animals, support community education, monitor nests, clean beaches, answer rescue calls, and so much more.

The reality is, without our volunteers, we simply could not do what we do.

To every single volunteer, past and present, thank you. Thank you for your compassion, dedication, hard work, and the love you show our wildlife every single day. The difference you make is immeasurable, and because of you, countless animals are given a second chance.

Together, we rescue. Together, we rehabilitate. Together, we make a difference.

💙 Thank you for being the heart of Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue. 💙

19/05/2026

✨️ Meet Geoffrey ✨️

Geoffrey was rescued by Mary from Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers after being found with a hook embedded near his bill.

He was taken to the team where they successfully removed the hook from the left side of his face, along with a large plug of pus.

Geoffrey then came into our care, where he received pain relief and continued his recovery. Once his sutures were removed, he was cleared for release.

Mary was able to release him back at Kingscliff, where he rejoined his flock of friends. 💚🪶

11/05/2026

Last Friday, we released Storm, Miffy, Gashy, MJ, and Anemone back into the wild. 💚🐢

We absolutely love release days, especially after such a busy few months caring for so many turtles.

A massive thank you to for all your support in helping get these turtles back to good health.

Another huge thank you to their sponsors and our incredible volunteers for all the hard work, care, and dedication that goes into rehabilitating these turtles.

04/05/2026

07/04/2026

Do you know what to do if you find a stranded marine animal?🦈

This beautifiul juvenile elegant seasnake was recently rescued by our friends at Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue Inc and brought into our hospital, after being found washed up and stranded on a local beach.

Unfortunately, despite both teams' best efforts, the sea snake passed away 😔. This is often the outcome when marine animals that strand, and the stranding itself is a strong indication that the animal is likely incredibly unwell. Post-mortems and biological samples are sometimes collected from stranded animals to assist in determining the exact cause of death, and to assess for general health indicators or abnormalities in each species.

Sea snakes 🐍 are highly venomous, moreso than most land snake species, and they have incredibly delicate spinal columns due to their natural lack of weigh in water. It is therefore crucial ‼️ that you do not touch a sea snake, in or out of water, and contact an authorised wildlife rescue organisation to assist in any rescue attempts.

If you find an animal beached or stranded:
❌ DON'T- approach, touch or attempt to put the animal back into the water. Animals who strand are likely to be extremely weak and unwell, and are unlikely to survive being put back into the water. Animals can also become defensive and bite, scratch or sting if they feel threatened by your presence, particularly if they are not unwell and are just resting/sunbaking (e.g. leopard seals, sea lions)
❌ DON'T- attempt to provide any food, water or medical treatment, as this can cause further health issues. Do not attempt to keep the animal wet as the water may get into their blowhole, nose or mouth
❌ DON'T- take selfies with or near, or make any loud noises. These animals are highly stressed and vulnerable
✔️ DO- keep pets and other people clear of the area
✔️ DO- call your local wildlife rescue organisation for assistance (download the iFAW Wildlife Rescue app to find out your nearest org)
✔️ DO- monitor the animal's behavour from a safe distance and provide updates to the rescuers until they arrive

01/04/2026

April School holiday tours ✨

Come along and learn about the work we do at Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue 🐢

Please read the information below.

Our school holiday tours will take place over selected days from 7th April to 17th April. (excludes weekends and public holidays).

💫10am - 11am
💫Bookings essential - please call 6686 2852 or email [email protected]
💫Please do not come to the center if you are feeling unwell
💫All ages welcome
💫264 North Creek Road, Ballina
💫Tours need a minimum of 10 people to run.

08/03/2026

We would like to thank everyone who came along to support the Ballina Duck Race Festival yesterday. It was wonderful to see so many people stop by our stall, chat with our volunteers about the work we do, and purchase merchandise that helps support our rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

A special thank you to the Ballina Duck Race Festival for hosting such a fantastic community event.

We would also like to give a massive shout out to our incredible volunteers who generously gave up their Sunday to help at our stall. Your time, energy and passion make such a difference, and we truly appreciate each and every one of you.

Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond