Hundreds of baby loggerhead turtles were rescued at Redcliffe, north of Brisbane, last night after they streamed along a road instead of heading for the ocean.

Police cordoned off Flinders Parade at Scarborough, while local residents and staff from Australia Zoo helped to gather the small creatures.

One turtle was found dead after failing to reach the ocean.

Resident Trish Simpson lives in the area and says the turtles may have been confused by a bright street light.

"We saw hundreds and hundreds of turtles coming down the road into the BBQ area," she said.

"It is well lit and that's where they were congregating and until then I didn't know they followed light and they all followed us into water.

"We lifted the drain and retrieved about 50 out of the drain, then within five minutes there must have been another hundred again.

"It took about an hour to collect them all and see them back to sea."

Australia Zoo veterinary nurse Anne Cruickshank says it tends to happen when street lights are located too close to a beach.

She says bright lights can be a distraction for the creatures.

"It's not normal but not unheard of - there have been many cases where little sea turtles rookeries have hatched and they have headed towards street lights in more built-up areas rather than the moon which they should be heading towards," she said.

"It is something to keep an eye out for and report to either the wildlife hospital or Parks and Wildlife if you do see something like that."