The Best of Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads is one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic and beloved suburbs, known for its pristine beaches, lush national parks, and laid-back lifestyle. Nestled between Broadbeach to the north and Palm Beach to the south, it offers residents and visitors the best of both worlds: stunning natural beauty and vibrant urban amenities. The golden sandy beaches are a surfer’s paradise, while the Burleigh Head National Park provides scenic walking trails with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastline.

Even though it has seen rapid development in recent years, it has maintained its relaxed, village-like atmosphere, while embracing the vibrancy and growth that comes with its ever-increasing popularity.

Things to Do

Located on the coast between Palm Beach and Nobbys Beach, you’ll find Burleigh Heads National Park consisting of a bush-covered headland reaching out to the sea, plus a beautiful beach and loads of green space.

The beach at Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Heads National Park features walking tracks that provide amazing views of the coast in either direction and the view from the park at Goodwin Terrace, at night, looking across the ocean and beach towards the lights of Surfers Paradise is highly recommended.

The beach at Burleigh Heads is popular with local surfers, particularly near the headland, and also for beach fishing. The sandy beach in front of the surf club is a great spot for relaxing on what is a super clean and well-maintained beachfront.

‘The Esplanade’ runs alongside the beach from Nobbys Beach through to the Headland featuring well-maintained public parkland between the road and the beach. It’s quite a relaxing area featuring BBQ’s, sheltered seating and tables, plenty of shady trees and a walking/bicycle track.

Mowbray Park at the end of the Esplanade is a popular spot on weekends and across the road there’s a Bowls Club, and on a walk down James St., you’ll find many interesting shops, several cafes, and takeaway fish and chip shops.

Head down West Burleigh RD/Reedy Creek RD a few minutes by car and you’ll find Stockland Shopping Centre, which is a large shopping area featuring a supermarket, fast food restaurants, clothes shopping, there’s also a hardware store (Bunnings), fabric store (Spotlight), Billabong surfwear shop and much more.

See more attractions and things to do in Burleigh

Shopping in Burleigh

Whilst not a shopping destination to match Broadbeach or Southport, the area is renowned for small boutique stores and unique crafts. For daily needs, there is the large Stockland Shopping Centre.

Stockland
  • The Village Markets – Here you will find custom-made and boutique fashion, jewellery, arts, and crafts. Held on the first and third Sunday at Burleigh Heads State School.
  • Art & Craft Markets – arts, crafts, food, and live music – last Sunday of the month at Justins Park.
  • Stockland Burleigh Heads – a large shopping mall, supermarket, banks, Big W etc.

Restaurants and Cafe

To be honest, I don’t think you could find anywhere bad to eat in Burleigh Heads and there are plenty of options ranging from casual to fine dining. James St. is slowly becoming one of the Gold Coast’s top foodie streets and is an easy go-to place for a surefire delicious eat-out from a range of options.

The Tropic

Best Coffee in Burleigh Heads

Quest
  • Quest Coffee Roasters – in-house roasters and specialty coffee
  • Commune Cafe – Lively cafe with quirky vintage decor, serving light meals and coffee, with an organic food focus.

Bars and Taverns

Burleigh Brewing Co.

Places to Stay

Burleigh Heads has some beautiful holiday apartments that are quiet and so close to the beach yet still convenient to transport and cafes. Accommodation in Burleigh Heads can be found along the Esplanade which runs parallel to the beach and at the foot of the headland consisting mostly of apartment accommodation, some with resort-style facilities. Burleigh Heads is popular with family holiday-makers for good reason and is well-serviced by public transport that runs up and down the Gold Coast Highway.

Our Top 5 Resorts and Holiday Apartments in Burleigh Heads

Indigo Blue – Located at the very peaceful northern end of Burleigh Beach. Facilities include a heated pool and spa pool, fitness centre, sauna and BBQ. Apartment options include two bedroom or three bedroom – 186 The Esplanade
The Village at Burleigh – Located near the cluster of shops that features cafes, restaurants, and public transport, and only a five-minute stroll to the beach. Facilities include pool, hot tub, BBQ and garden. Two and three bedroom apartments are available all being self-contained with laundry and kitchen facilities – 4 Park Avenue
Burleigh on the Beach – Located at the northern end of Burleigh Beach. Facilities include pool and fitness centre. The one bedroom apartments are self-contained featuring kitchen and laundry facilities – 5 Fourth Avenue
Cashelmara Beachfront Apartments – a great location with amazing views of the ocean and headland on offer. Facilities include pool, hot tub, sauna, BBQ and garden. Large two and three bedroom apartments are available with the latter capable of sleeping six people – 170 The Esplanade Burleigh Heads
Gemini Court Holiday Apartments – a great location nestled at the base of the Headland offering views that look straight along the beach with Surfers Paradise in the distance. Facilities include garden, pool, hot tub, fitness centre, massage services, sauna, and tennis – 45 Hayle Street

Transport

Public buses run up and down the Gold Coast Hwy at regular intervals with the main stops being

  • Burleigh Heads Coach Stop Gold Coast Hwy near the Bowls Club
  • Burleigh Heads stop near Justins Park
  • Burleigh Heads Primary School stop

Facts

Via ABS (2021)

CategoryDetails
People9,176
Male47.4%
Female52.6%
Median age44
Families2,236
Average number of children per familyNull
For families with children1.6
For all households (a)0.4
All private dwellings5,308
Average number of people per household2.1
Median weekly household income$1,620
Median monthly mortgage repayments$2,000
Median weekly rent (b)$480
Average number of motor vehicles per dwelling1.7

The Best of Burleigh Heads Map