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

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

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.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.