Burleigh Heads National Park

A wild, natural headland in the heart of the Gold Coast offers walks along the rocky foreshore and through rainforest, and the chance to see whales in spring and sea-eagles soaring along the coast. At Burleigh Headland, where ancient volcanic columns meet the sea, this park features rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath and mangroves. Its northern side is one of Australia’s most famous surfing point breaks.

Experience the Ocean View Walk around the rocky headland from Tallebudgera Creek and look at the tumbled masses of six-sided basalt columns. Explore the Rainforest circuit, wandering through a living museum of plants, and watch for humpback whales from Tumgun lookout in winter and spring. See Australian brush-turkey nesting mounds, seabirds and water dragons. Picnic on Burleigh foreshore or relax on Echo Beach.

Oceanview Walk, Burleigh Head National Park

Burleigh Head National Park is home to rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath, mangroves, creeks, rocky foreshore and beaches. This track leads around the rocky headland from Tallebudgera Creek to the southern edge of Burleigh Heads township. You can relax by the creek at Echo Beach, see tumbled masses of six-sided basalt columns, and possibly glimpse a humpback whale out at sea. You can either return by the same path or via the Rainforest circuit and Tumgun lookout.

Rainforest Circuit, Burleigh Head National Park

Burleigh Head National Park is home to rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath, mangroves, creeks, rocky foreshore and beaches. Most of the Rainforest circuit is an easy grade, but there is a steep section in the middle near Tumgun lookout. The lookout is a good place to watch for humpback whales splashing offshore in winter and spring. For the safety of visitors, sections of the track skirting the coastline may be closed during wet weather, due to the risk of rock falls.