On Monday 58 baby loggerhead turtles were taken by boat from Sea Life Sunshine Coast and released into the East Australian Current - 20 kilometres from Mooloolaba.

Now released, it is expected the turtles won't return to Queensland waters for 16 years.

The hatchlings started their journey in January when they were collected from nests at Mon Repos, near Bundaberg, as part of the world-renowned Queensland Turtle Conservation project.

They were then carefully incubated at exactly 29.9 degrees and had their hatching timed to coincide with the World Science Festival last month.

Queensland Museum reptile curator Patrick Couper said the turtles hatching at the festival gave visitors the chance to see something that is usually hidden from public view.

Once hatched, they still spent several days in the incubator.

"Usually at this stage of life, they would still be buried deep within the nesting chamber and unable to crawl to the surface until their bodies had fully straightened," Mr Couper said.

"Then, once fully straightened, they were placed in a tank before being transported to Sea Life Sunshine Coast, where they have spent the last couple of weeks."

The turtles release was postponed by the unpredictable weather caused by ex tropical cyclone Debbie - but Sea Life Sunshine Coast curator Aaron Sprowl said the delay gave the hatchlings the best chance of survival.

"We release them 20 kilometres off the coast of Mooloolaba to avoid predators that hunt in the shallow coastal waters," he said.

"From here they will travel past the northern tip of New Zealand and on to the coasts of Chile and Peru and won't return to Queensland waters for 16 years."

The loggerhead turtle release was funded by the SeaLife Trust.