Burleigh Heads is a remarkable stretch of golden coast. The beach attracts all manner of visitors throughout the year thanks to its breathtaking blue waters.

The unique layout of the Burleigh Heads beach makes this particular stretch of coastline the ideal destination for lovers of swimming and surfing alike. The headland provides waves which are good enough for surfers to ride, meanwhile, the rest of the waters are characteristically still and calm and make for a relaxing dip in the ocean. The beach prides itself on its consistently gentle waters; even on the roughest of days, it is said that there will always be some small alcoves whose waters are perfectly still.

The beach stretches for approximately 2km and is sandwiched between the towering Burleigh Heads and the Nobby headland. One of its most notable events is the whale viewing opportunity during June through to November, where groups of humpback whales pass through Burleigh beach’s perfect, protected waters as part of their migrations.

There are also some walking trails on offer through the Burleigh National Park, some of which offer exercise equipment along the way.

Burleigh Heads History

Burleigh Heads is located in the Queensland Gold Coast, which extends from the Miami Headland in the north to the Tallebudgeta Creek in the south. The land was historically inhabited by the aboriginal people of the Kombumerri clan, who knew it as Jellurgal. However, it was later declared to be an official town by the Government of Queensland in 1871 and renamed.

From as early as 1873, the Burleigh Heads’ stunning beach was already being noted for its beauty and tranquility. Newspaper records from the time even went as far as to suggest that it was believed that the Burleigh Heads beach could even outperform the other, more well-known seasides of the time. However, its popularity failed to reach expectations due to early land sales performing poorly, with only a few privately-owned properties in the area by 1885. As such, much of the development of the city was carried out from the early part of the twentieth century and onwards when the population began to take an interest in bathing in the shallows of the city’s beautiful beach.

Things to Do In the Area

When your swimming trunks are dry from the beach, the city of Burleigh Heads offers a large number of restaurants and dining opportunities for visitors. These include several cafes, as well as bars, street food caterers, and a brewery which offers its own specialist flavors and combinations. The city also offers a bustling farmer’s market every weekend and a surf club, which features a spectacular view of the sea. The local council operates and run the public library, which was initially opened in 1993 and underwent renovation and refurbishment work later on in 2010. The suburb boats of some of its own heritage sites, including a wildlife park and a listed general store which was designed in the interwar period and later built in 1935.

When to Visit?

Burleigh beach is an excellent visitor destination year-round; however, the summer months of June until November offers the unique chance to witness humpback whales as they pass through these waters. The most comfortable time for visiting in regards to temperatures, are April and May.