If you want to head out into nature and you are on the Gold Coast, the Burleigh Head National Park is an excellent option! Burleigh Heads is a popular choice for families with its offerings of both calm and surf worthy waters and bountiful seaside picnic spots. You will also love it during the great annual whale migrations for a birds-eye view of their coastal journey.
Walking Trails at Burleigh Heads
The Oceanview track: 1.2kms one way
There are a few different walking tracks through the park – the Oceanview track skirts the headland and is sealed making it a great option for getting out in nature with prams or wheelchairs. It’s around 1.2km one way or around a 30-minute stroll and would make a fantastic introduction to bushwalking for younger Brisbane Kids.
The oceanview track is an easy, fun walk with beautiful views making it a great destination for Brisbane Kids of all ages and abilities. You can access a secluded beach on Tallebudgera Creek from the track and there are viewing platforms for spotting whales in Winter and Spring.
There’s also a variety of bird and wildlife in the area – the bush turkeys here are particularly bold and can be spotted on the beach approaching unsuspecting picnickers. Kookaburras, Magpies and Currawongs (amongst others) can also be heard calling through the bush. Also, more than once, (but not often enough to expect it) fireflies have been spotted on the headland in late Winter months with their incredible bioluminescence. If you are one of the lucky ones to have this experience please send us your photos!
There are interesting displays sharing information about the area’s indigenous heritage, traditions and beliefs at regular intervals around the track, providing opportunities for kids to learn something from the traditional owners of the land and also have a breather.
Burleigh Head National Park will also be interesting to any budding geologist with its numerous interesting rock formations caused by the ancient volcanic history of Burleigh Heads. Be careful in wet weather though – parts of the track can be closed due to risks of rockfalls in some conditions.
The Rainforest Circuit Track: 1.7kms return
Burleigh National Park also has a Rainforest Circuit track which is still mostly an easy walk but also offers some more challenging steep sections for older Brisbane Kids or those who might want to be a little more adventurous.
There are a couple of other named walks of less than 300 metres including connector tracks that take you from the Rainforest Cct to the Ocean View Track.
What to bring
Like all outdoor activities in a subtropical climate, it’s important to take water and wear sun-safe clothing. You should also have water, sunscreen and a hat. If you’re contemplating the Rainforest Circuit sturdy footwear would also be a good idea.
Burleigh Heads Facilities
- Toilets at the Northern and Southern end of Burleigh Head National Park.
- BBQ’s and picnic tables at the Northern end
- Picnic tables
- Free parking
How to get here:
Burleigh Heads is on the Gold Coast in between Miami Beach and Tallebudgera. To reach the northern entrance of the park, turn off the Gold Coast Highway into Goodwin Terrace. To reach the southern entrance of the park, turn off the Gold Coast Highway at the traffic lights north of Tallebudgera Creek
You can find out more about the park and current alerts via Queensland National Parks.
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