Your Guide To Burleigh Heads, Queensland

Uncover where to eat, play and stay in this bustling Gold Coast beach town.

Sorry to burst your bubble if you’ve only just discovered this beautiful neck of the Gold Coast hood, but the secret’s been out for a while. Halfway between Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta, holidaymakers have been flocking to Burleigh Heads in Queensland for more than a century to embrace its sun, sand, and sea.

Fast-forward to today and Burleigh Heads still boasts a predominately low-rise streetscape with throwback architecture, an abundance of green space, quiet pockets of beach, and an unpretentious vibe.

While this laid-back beachside town has long been a favourite in the getaway stakes, its cool factor has recently spiked with a recent influx of exciting new places to eat, drink and shop, meaning it’s well and truly emerging from the good old days.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Burleigh Heads.

Top things to do in Burleigh Heads

More than just a picturesque paradise (although lying by the beach there is lovely too!), you’d be surprised at how many things there are to do in Burleigh Heads. From guided walks and boutique shopping to a relaxing bathhouse and delicious food markets, here’s how to spend your time there.

1. Take to the surf in Burleigh

two people strolling along Burleigh Heads beach with their surfboards

There are plenty of waves to go around. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Whether you’re a complete beginner or more experienced, everyone is welcome to grab a board and hit the waves in Burleigh.

If you’re looking to learn, pro surfer Cheyne Horan offers a variety of surfing lessons so you can enjoy the water with confidence.

2. Burleigh Head National Park

two people walking along Burleigh Head National Park

Admire coastal views along Burleigh Head National Park. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Take a step back from the bustle and carve out some time to walk through Burleigh Head National Park. As you wander along the rocky foreshore, you have no choice but to soak in the spectacular views looking out to Surfers Paradise — you might even spot a whale!

3. Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre

three people walking along a rainforest trail at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Go on an interactive walking tour with Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Join a guided tour at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre and learn about the Aboriginal history and culture of the Gold Coast while walking along a beachside rainforest walkway. Guests will also hear about traditional life, bush tucker, fishing, hunting, and important ecological practices.

4. The Village Markets

people buying seashell crafts at a beachside stall, Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets

Pop by the seaside market for all sorts of crafts. (Image: Supplied)

Set alongside the famous Surfers Paradise esplanade, the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets well-known for peddling slightly kitsch souvenirs and quirky arts and crafts. But its offerings have expanded in recent years, bringing essential oils, candles, hand-blown glass, hot doughnuts and local products such as macadamias and honey into the mix. Check out our guide to the top Gold Coast markets for more.

5. James Street

Stroll down to James Street in Burleigh Heads Village and browse the eclectic mix of boutique fashion shops, beautiful homewares, and gourmet goodies, followed by a coffee or freshly squeezed juice at a charming local cafe.

6. Golosi Food Emporium

a wide variety of beverage display at Golosi Food Emporium

Take your pick.

Also on James Street is Golosi, an emporium of all things delicious. Pick up some goodies for a picnic down at the foreshore.

Think freshly baked sourdough from Mullumbimby, delicious tapenades from nearby hinterland village Tyalgum, creamy handmade cheeses from South Australia, a banquet of mouth-watering sweet treats, and much more.

7. Greenhouse The Bathhouse

the exterior of Greenhouse The Bathhouse, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Pamper yourself at Greenhouse The Bathhouse.

Soak, steam, sweat, and swim; a session at Greenhouse The Bathhouse will have you feeling utterly rejuvenated. This communal bath house has hydrotherapy spas, a steam room, a sauna, a magnesium plunge pool, massage services, and a sun deck to enjoy a plant-based lunch and kombucha (or Champagne!) afterwards.

8. Burleigh Hill

This iconic landmark of Burleigh Hill is not to be missed. Pack a picnic and head there to watch the sunset over the beachfront view and Surfers Paradise skyline.

9. Miami Marketta

Fill up on a variety of street food at Miami Marketta. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

From Wednesday to Saturday at 5pm, Miami Marketta comes alive with street food from around the world. Expect a generous smattering of all your favourite cuisines from wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta to fried chicken, pad Thai, gyros, tacos, doughnuts, and more. They also hold ticketed gigs and events, so check the website before you go.

Top places to eat and drink in Burleigh Heads

By now you won’t be surprised to hear that Burleigh dominates the list of best restaurants to eat at on the Gold Coast so it must be pretty spectacular. From cafes to restaurants to breweries, do yourself a favour and drop into one of these top places to eat in Burleigh Heads – and if you’re after a cafe guide to the Gold Coast we’ve picked the best of the bunch for brunch too.

1. Social Brew

Nestled in James Street, the light and airy Social Brew is perfect for a caffeine fix, smoothie bowl, and delicious daily bakes.

2. Commune Cafe

The lively Commune cafe with quirky vintage decor, serves light meals and coffee, with a focus on organic food.

3. Paddock Bakery

an al fresco dining setup at Paddock Bakery, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Have a little picnic at Paddock Bakery. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

A renovated old Queenslander home, Paddock Bakery creates what they believe to be the best wood-fired sourdough around. As a walk-in-only establishment, you’ll find plenty of seating available in their cottage, garden, rooftop, loft, and barn areas. Hot tip — the doughnut game is strong here!

4. Rick Shores

a beachfront dining setup at Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Enjoy beachfront dining at Rick Shores. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Location, location, location. The sleek, award-winning Rick Shores restaurant serves up pan-Asian flavours with front-row views of the rolling surf (bonus: the space’s tiered design means there are no bad seats). The menu has a focus on locally sourced produce, while the bar snacks – karaage chicken, barbecue pork steam bun, and the signature fried bug roll – are perfect to enjoy in the casual al fresco seating area with sandy feet. Book ahead; this place is buzzing.

5. The Tropic

a table-top view of the menu at The Tropic

Taste an array of bold flavours at The Tropic.

The view is extra special at The Tropic, known for its beautiful sunsets and Mediterranean flavours. With a shareable menu, mix and match small plates here like puff spiced bread, sweet peppers, roasted pumpkin hummus, and Ocean King prawns.

For a more laid-back vibe, side-step into its sister restaurant Burleigh Pavilion for wood-fired pizzas and all the classics.

6. Jimmy Wah’s

three plates of food at Jimmy Wah's, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Dine on exquisite meals at Jimmy Wah’s.

This local favourite is the result of a five-week motorbike tour that Chef Jake Cooley took around Vietnam. Offering a flavoursome modern Vietnamese menu, it’s difficult to decide on what to order when you’re tempted by the likes of wok-seared squid, ong choy, chilli, crispy taro, and lime, or half chicken, morning glory, kaffir lime, and coconut cream.

7. Justin Lane

Food and drinks at Justin Lane Gold Coast

Throw back a hearty meal at Justin Lane.

Who doesn’t love a rooftop bar? Sundowners, balmy nights a tipple under the stars – Justin Lane combines all this with views out to the ocean and the Surfers Paradise skyline. Eat, drink, and be messy is the J. L motto and from their famous sourdough pizza and handmade pasta to signature cocktails and boutique wines, they pride themselves on the quality of their products. We’ve also rounded up more top bars on the Gold Coast if you’re venturing into other Gold Coast suburbs during your stay.

8. Restaurant Labart

a set meal at Restaurant Labart, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Pick from the set lunch and dinner menus at Restaurant Labart.

A modern Australian Restaurant in the heart of Burleigh Heads, Restaurant Labart showcases the best local produce of the area. Choose from the set lunch and dinner menus, or go à la carte and set your tastebuds to the Burleigh baker bread with caramelised butter, native rock oyster, or chocolate mousse with popcorn ice cream.

9. Willow Dining

a table-top view of meals at Willow Dining, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Willow Dining serves a mix of international cuisines.

An excellent family-friendly option is Willow Dining, known for its laid-back, easy food experience. With a cool, rustic vibe, Willow Dining mixes a feast of Mediterranean, European, Modern Australian, and Spanish cuisine, along with a fusion of Asian favourites together in Tapas style, so there’s something delicious for every person at the table. They’re temporarily closed while they hunt for a new location, so keep an eye on their website.

10. Iku Yakitori Bar

a Japanese dish at Iku Yakitori Bar, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Dine on authentic Japanese dishes at Iku Yakitori Bar.

With plenty of delicious pan-Asian share plates, Iku Yakitori Bar is the place to go for a feast. From Chef’s signature sushi maki and succulent Asian tapas to bigger plates of deliciousness such as black miso cod and crispy baby barramundi, you’ll be well looked after. Alongside adventurous cocktails and a seriously cool mix of silky-smooth jazz, new and old-school funk, and groove and soul music, you won’t want to leave.

11. Black Hops HQ

a guy getting beer on tap at Black Hops Brewery, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Pour some beer on tap at Black Hops Brewery. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Rated among Australia’s top 10 breweries, Black Hops Brewing is all about keeping it real. It’s understated, yet somehow that makes it all the more trendy. Grab a tasting paddle and a bite to eat from the on-site food trucks every Friday and Saturday. If you fancy a change of pace, make sure to taste their refreshing Ginger Cider.

12. Burleigh Brewing Company

drinks lined on the table at Burleigh Brewing Company, Burleigh Heads Queensland

Raise a glass at Burleigh Brewing Company. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There have been stacks of World Beer Award Gold Medals along the way for Burleigh Brewing Company and today, their brewery is one of Burleigh’s trendiest spots, hosting live music on the weekend and food trucks. You can even bring your four-legged friends along! If you’re keen to brewery hop your way around the coast, we’ve also rounded up the top Gold Coast breweries for you.

Top Burleigh Heads accommodation

Looking for Burleigh Heads accommodation? There are so many beautiful options, it really is difficult to choose. Take a look at the following options.

1. Burleigh Beach Tourist Park

two people sitting outside a caravan at Burleigh Beach Tourist Park

Camp in a caravan at Burleigh Beach Tourist Park. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

People have been visiting Burleigh Heads for camping and caravanning holidays since the early 1900s and now you can do it too with an upgrade. Grab a two-bedroom cabin at Burleigh Beach Tourist Park and be at the centre of everything Burleigh Heads has to offer.

Address: 36 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

2. Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh

The beach is a stone’s throw away from your accommodation.

Featuring high-quality fit-out and finishes, enjoy modern conveniences in the luxury apartments at Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh.

Address: 26 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

3. 2nd Avenue Beachside Apartments

beach view from the balcony of 2nd Ave Apartments, Burleigh Heads

Catch majestic sea views from your balcony at 2nd Avenue Beachside Apartments.

Stay just moments away from Burleigh Beach at 2nd Avenue Beachside Apartments. With spacious, fully self-contained rooms and private balconies, as well as ocean views and resort facilities, you won’t want to leave.

Address: Second Ave, Burleigh Heads

4. Burleigh Esplanade Apartments

Stay in a superior bedroom lounge with beach views at Burleigh Esplanade Apartments.

Experience the beauty of Burleigh Heads at Burleigh Esplanade Apartments, known for its generous space so the entire family has plenty of room to enjoy their holiday.

Address: 146-156 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

5. Burleigh Surf – Esplanade Burleigh Heads

a rooftop pool and sauna at Burleigh Surf

Soak up the sun in your rooftop pool at Burleigh Surf.

Another Burleigh Beach location contender is Burleigh Surf, a stunning high-rise complex with impressive panoramic views. Individuals, couples, and families will all find the perfect self-contained apartment here.

Address: 238 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

6. Solnamara Beachfront Apartments

Another luxurious option is Solnamara Beachfront Apartments, which offer fabulous ocean views from both the living areas and from your own private balcony – in some apartments you can even view the ocean from your bedroom.

Address: 202 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

7. Burleigh Mediterranean Resort

a living room with a balcony and ocean views at Burleigh Mediterranean

Get front-row views of the Gold Coast at Burleigh Mediterranean.

Located directly opposite the patrolled North Burleigh Beach, soak up the holiday atmosphere at Burleigh Mediterranean Resort. With rooftop areas boasting 360-degree views of the Gold Coast and a resort-style 20-metre pool, spa, and sauna, it’s the ideal base for your Burleigh escape.

Address: 220 The Esplanade, North Burleigh

When you’re ready to branch out from Burleigh Heads, explore more of the other Gold Coast beach towns.

The unique tranquillity of Japanese bathing culture can now be experienced in a Queensland rainforest.

I’m the first official guest at SOL Elements, an elemental bathhouse located in Mt Tamborine, roughly 50 minutes inland from the Gold Coast beaches. The town is already a calm-inducing hinterland heaven as birdsong echoes over rolling hills and roadside avocado shacks pop up around many corners. But with the arrival of SOL Elements, Mt Tamborine evolves into a wellness destination. Let me take you through the experience.

The new bathhouse is set in the calming hinterland. (Image: Timothy Birch)

First impressions

The exterior of the new SOL Elements Bathhouse in the Gold Coast hinterland

The setting delivers maximum serenity. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Given the jaw-dropping rendered photography released by the team in January 2025, I wondered if SOL Elements could meet the hype. Additionally, the location is at the end of a large car park at Tamborine Mountain Glades’ Thunderbird Park, an iconic kid-friendly hinterland attraction, so I was curious as to how they’d bring the Zen.

Surprisingly, no shrieking children are heard as I approach one architecturally magnificent facade. Positioned off a small lake dubbed Lotus Lake, swimming with turtles and ducks, it features thin timber boards that gradually fan out via meticulous three-millimetre increments. More than 2000 metres of hand-charred wood, burnt personally by Russ Raven, who founded SOL Elements with his wife Shae Raven, make up the entrance and much of the interior walls, channelling the ancient Japanese art of wood preservation, Yakisugi. It’s an aesthetic that pops amid bushland without ever jarring. It’s dramatic yet graceful, bold yet grounded – a lot like what’s going on inside, really…

Communal bathhouse

The communal bathhouse is circular with treatment rooms branching off from a garden. (Image: Timothy Birch)

Positioned to take in the entire breadth of that fairytale lake, three small outdoor thermal mineral pools are the cornerstone of SOL Elements’ communal bathhouse, which caters to just 30 people at a time. While the warm pools bubble at a toasty 38 degrees, the cold plunge drops to an icy 12 degrees.

There are two ways to soak up some hot and cold therapy. The first starts inside SOL’s Cedar Wood Sauna, fitted with bench seating and extensive windows that let in more Lotus Lake views, before I go 90 full seconds in the cold (I’m aiming for two minutes, but it’s still winter). The sauna is small, and I’m grateful to be in there alone, but six or so people could fit in here comfortably.

Sit around the sunken fire pit at SOL Elements Bathhouse

Sit around the sunken fire pit. (Image: Timothy Birch)

The second way to hop between hot and cold is via the showstopping submerged outdoor fire pit. I take a seat on its curved bench seating and watch the flames flicker against my serene view. Sitting in wet cozzies, I feel reinvigorated, ready to dip in and out all over again.

Then there’s the communal Earth Lab, a mind-blowing alchemy station. Before I hit the showers, I’m invited to spoon out two ingredients from a bar filled with salts, flowers and powders. Utterly delighted to personalise my sensory journey, I go for the ground coffee and hibiscus flower petals before pumping body wash into my palm and creating an exfoliating polish. It’s hard to ignore the likes of raw brown sugar, chamomile flowers, rose petals and spirulina powder (there are 10 options in total), but my blend is straight-up delicious.

The Earth Lab features an alchemy station for guests to create a personalised sensory journey that suits their mood. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

Himalayan Salt Sanctuary

The Himalayan Salt Sanctuary at SOL Elements. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

There’s one other communal element at SOL: the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, featuring a gasp-worthy design (and gasps are welcomed, given the respiratory benefits salt therapy is famed for).

Built with illuminated salt bricks that morph between sunrise shades, pale pink and clear white, the room radiates as I breathe in negative ionised air. Bench seating wraps the entire space while three stunning pendant lights glisten, dialling up the drama. It feels as though I’m sitting inside a lantern, all while my lungs are high-fiving me as I attempt further breathwork.

Floatation caves

For the ultimate sensory deprivation experience, two Floatation Caves are calling. Located right next to the Himalayan Salt Sanctuary, the rooms open to beautiful all-black stone fit-outs. Magnesium salt water is heated to complement your unique body temperature. Epsom salt and Dead Sea salt are expertly utilised to create the most extensively filtered water in Queensland. This is magnesium magic on steroids.

Once the doors shut, it’s completely dark. I float blissfully unaware of my surroundings; waterproof headphones ensure total immersion.

Secluded Suites

an outdoor mineral plunge at SOL Elements

The onsite accommodation features a heated private mineral plunge. (Image: Kristie Lau-Adams)

I step up my SOL Elements visit by booking one of its two Secluded Suites, and the experience is end-to-end luxurious. Facility-wise, the suite (which caters for groups of up to five) gives me my own infrared sauna, single-person cold plunge, shower, private Earth lab with four ingredients, mini-bar with mocktails, tea station and clay mask, all while floor-to-ceiling glass windows throw up more of those soothing views.

The cherry on top? An outdoor private warm mineral plunge right by the lake. I sip on an organic, caffeine-free lemon myrtle and ginger root tea as the afternoon slips by. But before I go, there’s one more unmissable element to indulge in.

Massages and treatments

Inside the treatment rooms at SOL Elements Bathhouse

Up the ante with a rejuvenating massage at one of the two onsite treatment rooms. (Image: Timothy Birch)

I dress in a plush black waffle robe and stroll a couple of doors down to one of SOL Element’s two treatment rooms. I’m booked in for the Earthing Immersion as I love hot stone massages, and this features stones gathered with permission from Indigenous elders right around Australia. How special is that?

For so many reasons, but mainly the skills flexed by therapist Milena (who specialises in stretching), this is a massage like no other. I’m asked about my mood and lifestyle before Milena tells me she’s reading my energy. I’m not typically partial to energy readings, but I can’t deny that my limbs surrender under the hands of Milena, who uses Synthesis Organics’ essential oils that smell divine.

The stones differ in size and shape, heated and rolled across me like Café de Paris butter. 90 minutes later, I feel weightless as I return to my Secluded Suite to shower again and, begrudgingly, depart. I’m truly transformed into jelly. It took Shae and Russ four long years, but SOL Elements manages to live up to every expectation before soaring far beyond.

Details

Address: Cedar Creek Falls Rd and Tamborine Mountain Rd, Tamborine Mountain (within Tamborine Mountain Glades)

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm, Friday to Sunday, 8 am to 10 pm

Prices:

Communal Bathhouse: $95 for 90 minutes
Floatation Cave: $90 per person for 60 minutes (2 guests maximum)
Secluded Suite: From $360 for two people, for 90 minutes
Earthing Immersion: $300 for 90 minutes
Other massages, facials and treatments: View the spa menu

Accessibility: SOL Elements welcomes guests with access needs. The building features wide pathways, accessible for wheelchairs, throughout. A pool hoist can also be arranged if requested in advance.

Please note: All guests must be over 18.