Burleigh Heads
$$Surf, headland walks, and one of Queensland's best dining strips at James Street
Surf one of the Gold Coast's best breaks, walk around a rainforest-covered headland to a hidden beach, and eat your way down James Street, a 220m strip packed with some of Queensland's best restaurants. Burleigh Heads sits 1.5 hours south of Brisbane and has a completely different feel to Surfers Paradise: laid-back, creative, with a serious food and surf culture. Burleigh Head National Park has a flat Oceanview Track around to Tallebudgera Creek and a steeper Rainforest Circuit to Tumgun Lookout.
Step by step
From start to finish, what to expect.
Day 1
Drive down from Brisbane (1-1.5 hours)
Swim or surf at Burleigh Beach
Walk the Oceanview Track around the headland to Tallebudgera Creek (~2km, flat, easy)
James Street for sunset drinks and dinner, Rick Shores, Justin Lane rooftop, or Hail Mary
Day 2
Morning coffee and brunch on James Street
Burleigh Head National Park Rainforest Circuit for Tumgun Lookout views
Browse the boutique shops on James Street
Drive home via the M1
Cost breakdown
Estimated per person, in AUD.
How you get there
Your options for the trip.
Drive yourself
Local tips
Stuff your mates would tell you.
James Street is only 220m long but has 20+ restaurants, book ahead for Rick Shores and Restaurant Labart
The surf break at Burleigh Point is for experienced surfers, beginners should stick to the beach breaks further north
Burleigh Markets run every Saturday 7am-12pm at the State School
Village Markets run first and third Sunday of the month, 8:30am-1pm
Parking near the headland is limited, arrive early or park on side streets