Burleigh Heads
Due to popular demand, we've started a six-month trial for community beach pole sports. Poles and nets for sports like beach volleyball, tennis and foot volley are now available at Burleigh Heads, Miami, Broadbeach, Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise beaches. No bookings required. Maximum 2 hour sessions (if people are waiting). BYO balls/racquets.
This beach is popular for swimming in its protected waters and surfing around the headland.
Swimming
Burleigh Heads has one patrolled lifeguard tower:
- Tower 18 – Mowbray Park, near Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club
Patrolled by lifeguards between 8am and 5pm, every day all year round
Make sure you swim in the patrolled area between the red and yellow flags.
Surfing
Burleigh Heads is part of the World Surfing Reserve and is a popular location for surfers. It's the Gold Coast's most northern point break and provides a high level of surf amenity. Burleigh Headland is for experienced board riders only but the open beach breaks offer an excellent variety of conditions. Surfers should always assess conditions. If in doubt, don't paddle out. For more information, visit our Surfing page.
Facilities
To view the facilities available at this beach including accessibility features, use our interactive map.
Dogs
Dogs must always be on leash unless in a signed designated off leash area and are prohibited within 200 metres of flagged bathing areas. Tough penalties apply.
Getting there
| Public transport |
Translink buses run along the Gold Coast Highway through Burleigh. Plan your trip using Translink's journey planner. |
| Active travel |
Walk, run or bike ride to the beach. Plan your trip using our walking and cycling maps. |
| Parking |
There is limited parking at the surf club. On-street parking is available in surrounding streets. Take note of parking signs and/or line markings before heading to the beach. |
About Burleigh Heads Beach
Burleigh Heads, or simply 'Burleigh' to locals, sits like a cool comma between Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south. Burleigh Heads Beach enjoys dual popularity with those who like to swim in her protective waters and those who love to surf around the headland. On days when it might be a little choppy elsewhere, there's usually a protected corner at Burleigh to take a dip.
Burleigh Boardriders is the longest running boardrider club on the Gold Coast, where the iconic Burleigh barrel was made legendary during the 1977 Stubbies Surf Competition. The competition was the first ever to use the man-on-man format which is still used on today's professional World Surfing League Championship Tour.
Burleigh Heads Beach is next to popular parklands that contain toilets, barbecues, tables, shade structures, playgrounds and beach showers. You can also play beach volleyball with nets provided by the City (located north of the viewing platform and the Warren Young Lifeguard Centre).
The Oceanway runs along the beachfront and connects to Burleigh Heads National Park. The beach is in close proximity to a significant retail and commercial area with an array of restaurants and cafes. There’s even regular weekend markets in Justins Park and at the nearby Burleigh Heads State School.