From the mighty Murray River and its wetlands and floodplains to the smaller creeks and swamps of the Mount Lofty Ranges and Limestone Coast, South Australia's waterways have been significantly altered from their natural state. The biodiversity impacts of these changes are, in many cases, still poorly understood. Freshwater turtles inhabit all these mainland waterways. They hold cultural significance for First Nations and play an important ecological role in maintaining water quality. Unfortunately, past research along the Murray, local citizen science findings, and First Nations knowledge all point to a serious decline in South Australia’s turtle populations.

Eastern long-necked turtles

The TURTLE Project hopes to increase awareness about the plight of turtles in South Australia as well as continue research about turtles and their threats, undertake priority on-ground actions, and develop a management plan that will guide the conservation of freshwater turtles across SA into the future. The project is a partnership between a large and diverse range of passionate people and organisations, including landscape boards, First Nations, citizen scientists, NGOs, councils and landholders.

Meet the turtles of South Australia

Australia is home to more than 20 species of freshwater turtles, which commonly live in and around rivers, lakes, swamps and ponds, including farm dams. In South Australia, there are 3 species of freshwater turtles

  • Murray short-necked turtle

    The Murray short-necked turtle (Emydura macquarii) is quite abundant and found in open water, including lagoons and the main river channel. It is rarely seen on land unless nesting, which usually occurs from November to December. This turtle has a short, broad neck and grows to the size of a dinner plate. It is an omnivore, eating lots of plant material as well as invertebrates and scavenging on dead fish and other animal carcases. The Ngarrindjeri name for this species is Thukubi.

    Learn more about the Murray short-necked turtle 

  • Broad-shelled turtle

    The Broad-shelled turtle (Chelodina expansa) is the largest freshwater turtle in SA. It has a very long neck, loose skin and a flattened head. Unlike the eastern long-neck, it is much larger and less common in the River Murray, relying on deep permanent water. It prefers habitats with submerged logs and fringing vegetation. A carnivorous ambush predator, it feeds on fish, shrimps and insects, but will also scavenge on carrion.

    Learn more about the broad-shelled turtle 

  • Eastern long-necked turtle

    The eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) is the smallest of the species. It has an oval shell with a shallow groove in the top. It has a long neck and small, pointed head. Often called a stinker because of the pungent smell released when frightened, this species is the most widespread and will live in any body of fresh water. It's often seen on land as it commonly travels between water bodies. This turtle is carnivorous, mostly eating crustaceans, like yabbies, and water insects.

    Learn more about the eastern long-necked turtle 

This project will be delivered across 3 sub-regions according to turtle species distributions and habitat type.

  • Murraylands and Riverland – where you find the 3 species
  • Limestone coast – where you find Eastern long-necked turtles - Chelodina longicollis
  • Hills and Fleurieu, Northern and Yorke, Metropolitan Adelaide – where you find Eastern long-necked turtle and some illegally released pet turtles

Major threats to turtles

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Sylvia Clarke

Senior Project Officer Citizen Science and Community Engagement

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Upcoming events

Saturday 20 September 2025 01:30 pm to 04:00 pm

TURTLE Project workshop at Berri

Come along to the Berri Hotel to learn more about South Australia’s turtles and share your knowledge, ideas, and passion for protecting them and their habitats.

Register here