Looking for Murray River Turtles for sale in Sydney? Birdsville, at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, one of the only dedicated, licensed reptile dealers servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney, regularly has Murray River Turtles (Emydura macquarii) in stock, with baby and juvenile turtles making up most of what we carry. These native freshwater turtles are powerful swimmers with a rounded shell and a curious, interactive personality, making them a genuinely engaging aquatic pet for the right home.

Murray River Turtles grow to a shell length of 30 to 40 centimetres as adults and can live for 50 to 60 years, a genuine multi-generational commitment. They need a well-filtered aquatic enclosure with a water depth of 30 to 40cm at full size, reliable heating and UVB, and a varied omnivorous diet of protein, leafy greens and a quality prepared turtle diet. They’re not a pet you handle regularly, most of the enjoyment comes from watching them swim and interact rather than picking them up, though occasional handling for health checks or tank maintenance is fine. A valid NSW Native Animal Keeper Licence is required before purchase. Because we sell mostly babies and juveniles, you’re generally starting with a smaller, more manageable animal, but be aware they’ll need their enclosure upgraded significantly as they grow toward that adult size. Our How to Care for a Murray River Turtle guide covers the complete setup, including filtration, heating, UVB and a full feeding routine by age, worth a read before you buy.

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Why You Should Get a Murray River Turtle

Murray River Turtles are active, curious, and genuinely interactive once settled. They’ll often come to the surface at feeding time and are far more engaging to watch than most fish. Starting with a baby turtle means you get to watch it grow over what can be a genuinely decades-long relationship, and their strong swimming ability and rounded shell give them real character in a well-set-up aquatic display. As a native Australian species, there’s also something rewarding about keeping and properly caring for an animal that’s genuinely part of our local wildlife.

Why a Murray River Turtle Might Not Be Right for You

This is one of the bigger commitments on four legs (or flippers) that we sell: a lifespan of 50 to 60 years means a Murray River Turtle could easily outlive the household it starts in, so long-term planning genuinely matters. Adults need a substantial 180 x 60 x 60cm enclosure at minimum, considerably larger than most other pets we stock, and maintaining water quality through filtration and regular testing is an ongoing task rather than a set-and-forget one. You’ll need a valid NSW Native Animal Keeper Licence before buying, plus ongoing record-keeping. If you’re not prepared for the eventual tank size or the decades-long timeline, a smaller, shorter-lived reptile might suit you better.

Licensing Requirements

A valid Native Animal Keeper Licence from Service NSW is required before purchasing a Murray River Turtle. Applications are lodged online via the Service NSW website, with phone support on 02 9585 6406 if needed. Keepers must also follow the NSW Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Reptiles, covering housing, welfare and record-keeping standards. Birdsville, as a licensed reptile dealer, requires proof of a valid licence before any sale proceeds. We don’t process licence applications or paperwork on a customer’s behalf, so it’s best to have this sorted before your visit.

• NSW Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Reptiles: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/publications/code-practice-private-keeping-reptiles
• Reptile Keeper Licences: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/licences-and-permits/wildlife-licences/native-animals-as-pets/reptile-keeper-licences
• Apply for a Native Animal Keeper Licence: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-native-animal-keeper-licence

What Could Happen If You Keep One Without a Licence?

NSW enforces native wildlife licensing seriously, and the penalties are substantial. A Sydney man was fined $5,000 under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, plus a further $3,000 in legal costs, after being caught with native blue-tongue and shingleback lizards he’d imported without holding a wildlife licence. Turtles are covered by the same native species licensing framework, so it genuinely pays to have your paperwork sorted before bringing one home rather than risking a similar outcome.

Sexing & Refund Policy

Reliably telling a male Murray River Turtle from a female isn’t possible in the baby and juvenile turtles we sell, this only becomes apparent as a turtle matures and approaches its adult size, generally a number of years down the track. Because of this, Birdsville doesn’t offer any guarantee, DNA sexing, or refund based on a turtle’s eventual sex. If you’re hoping for a particular sex, please keep this in mind before purchasing, our team can talk you through what to expect as your turtle grows. All our turtles do come with a health guarantee, so a genuine pre-existing health issue is covered separately from sex-related expectations.

Availability

Murray River Turtles, mostly babies and juveniles, are regularly in stock at our Alexandria store, with availability depending on the season and hatching cycles. If we’re between batches, we’re happy to take a deposit to secure your turtle from the next available clutch. Very occasionally rarer specialty individuals, such as albino turtles, come through the trade, though these are uncommon, ask in-store about current availability, or get in touch if you’re after something specific.

Package Deals & In-Store Help

A turtle setup needs more than just the animal, tank, filtration, heating and UVB all add up, so ask our team about bundling it all together for better pricing than buying piece by piece. Come in and we’ll help you put together the right aquatic setup for your space, whether that’s a first tank or an upgrade as your turtle grows, everything on this page and more is available to see and buy in-store.

Taking Your New Murray River Turtle Home

Transport your new turtle in a secure, ventilated container lined with damp paper towel or similar moist material, avoid travelling with it in water, as spills and temperature swings create unnecessary risk. Keep the trip home as short as possible, avoid leaving the turtle in a car on a hot or cold day, and never leave it unattended in a vehicle even briefly. If you don’t already have a suitable carry container, Birdsville sells transport and carry cages in-store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence to buy a Murray River Turtle in NSW?

Yes, a valid NSW Native Animal Keeper Licence from Service NSW is required before you can purchase a Murray River Turtle, and Birdsville must see proof of a valid licence before any sale can proceed. Applications are lodged online through the Service NSW website, with phone support available on 02 9585 6406 if you need help.

How big do Murray River Turtles get, and what size tank do they need?

Adults typically reach a shell length of 30 to 40 centimetres, considerably larger than many other native turtle species. Because of this, a fully grown Murray River Turtle needs an enclosure of at least 180 x 60 x 60cm with a water depth of 30 to 40cm, giving it enough room to swim and turn freely.

How long do Murray River Turtles live?

Murray River Turtles can live for 50 to 60 years with proper care, making them one of the longest-lived pets Birdsville sells and a genuine multi-generational commitment rather than a short-term purchase. This lifespan means a Murray River Turtle could easily outlive the household it starts in, so it’s worth planning for the decades ahead.

Do you sell baby Murray River Turtles in Sydney?

Yes, baby and juvenile Murray River Turtles make up most of what Birdsville carries, and they’re regularly in stock at our Alexandria store. Starting with a smaller turtle means a more manageable size at first, though the enclosure will need to be upgraded substantially as it grows toward its full adult size over time.

Are Murray River Turtles friendly, and can you handle them?

Murray River Turtles are active and curious, often becoming genuinely interactive once settled in, especially around feeding time when they’ll come to the surface to greet you. They’re more engaging to watch day to day than most fish, though handling should still be kept to necessary situations like health checks or tank cleaning.

Are Murray River Turtles always available at Birdsville?

They’re regularly in stock, though availability follows the season and hatching cycles rather than being constant year-round. If we’re between batches when you visit, we’re happy to take a deposit to secure your turtle from the next available clutch, and we can let you know when rarer individuals, like albino turtles, are expected.

Head into Birdsville at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria to see our Murray River Turtles for yourself, we’re one of the only dedicated, licensed reptile dealers servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South Sydney. Our team is on hand in-store to answer any questions and help you get started.