Free Things to Do in Burleigh Heads
- Burleigh Gold Coast Motel
- Feb 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 27
Burleigh Gold Coast Motel · 5 min read
You do not need to spend money to have a good time in Burleigh. Some of the best free things to do in Burleigh Heads cost nothing — a swim 200m down Sixth Avenue, the headland walk, Sunday markets, and a 50-cent ride from the Christine Avenue tram and bus hub on our corner.
Doubles from $125/night when you book direct.Burleigh Gold Coast Motel · 5 min read
You do not need to spend money to have a good time in Burleigh. Some of the best free things to do in Burleigh Heads cost nothing — a swim 200m down Sixth Avenue, the headland walk, Sunday markets, and a 50-cent ride from the Christine Avenue tram and bus hub on our corner.
Doubles from $125/night when you book direct.
Burleigh Gold Coast Motel · 5 min read
You do not need to spend money to have a good time in Burleigh. Some of the best free things to do in Burleigh Heads cost nothing — a swim 200m down Sixth Avenue, the headland walk, Sunday markets, and a 50-cent ride from the Christine Avenue tram and bus hub on our corner.
Doubles from $125/night when you book direct.
Free things to do in Burleigh Heads — beach and swimming
Burleigh Beach is 200m from the motel — straight down Sixth Avenue, about a 2-minute walk. North end is patrolled and good for families. South end near the headland has rock pools and fewer people. Get there early and you will have it to yourself.
Tallebudgera Creek is the calmer option if the ocean is too rough or you have little kids. No waves, no rips. Pack a picnic. SUP and kayak hire is there if you want it, but swimming is free.
Walks, lookouts and whale watching
If you do one thing in Burleigh, do the headland walk. Burleigh Head National Park has no entry fee. The loop is about 2.3km and takes around an hour, with the Pacific on one side the whole way. Wallabies, bush turkeys, and sometimes dolphins or whales if you are lucky. See our things to do in Burleigh Heads guide for more walks.
Three trails to choose from:
Oceanview Walk — follows the coastline
Rainforest Circuit — shaded, through the bush
Tumgun Lookout — a short climb, views north to Surfers
Go early morning or late afternoon. Midday is too hot and too busy.
Burleigh Ridge Park is less well known than the headland, but locals rate it. Bushland trails, birds, and quiet. Good for a morning run or getting away from the beach crowds.
Justins Park sits on the beachfront. Grab fish and chips, find a spot on the grass, watch the sunset. Classic.
Whale watching runs June to November when humpbacks pass. Tumgun Lookout and the ocean walk are the best spots on the headland. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Markets, music and a free arvo
Sunday mornings at Burleigh Heads State School — produce, handmade goods, food, live music. You will probably end up buying a coffee, but browsing costs nothing. Another market runs the first and third Sunday of the month (arts, crafts, fashion) if you want a longer wander.
Window shopping on James Street is free. Get a takeaway coffee and walk past the cafes and shops. It is where everyone ends up on a Saturday.
Miami Marketta has no entry fee Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights — live bands and street food. You only pay for what you eat and drink. Most weekends there is a busker near the beach or at the markets.
Free fitness, if that is your thing:
Outdoor gym at Justins Park — right by the beach
Beach running — hard sand at low tide
Headland stairs — locals use them for cardio
Yoga on the grass — bring a mat to Justins Park
Sunrise at Tumgun Lookout — sun coming up over the water. Sunset at Justins Park — golden light over the hinterland. Miami Headland Lookout looks from Burleigh all the way to Surfers. Weekday evenings are quieter.
A hinterland day and other cheap extras
Springbrook National Park is about 45 minutes from Burleigh. Natural Bridge is the highlight — a rock arch with a waterfall, and glow worms in the cave at night. Entry is free. Bring good shoes and check the weather — the hinterland gets wet.
Nearly free, if you want a small spend:
Coffee — $5 to $6 at most cafes
Fish and chips at Justins Park — under $15 for a feed with a view
David Fleay Wildlife Park — well below the big theme park prices
Bus or tram to Coolangatta or Broadbeach — 50 cents with a go card or contactless tap on and off
Getting around from the tram and bus hub
Everything above is walkable or a short ride from Burleigh Gold Coast Motel. No car needed.
The Christine Avenue tram and bus hub is open on our corner:
G:link — north to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale (Airtrain change for Brisbane Airport), south to Burleigh Heads
Buses 700 and 765 — stop at the same hub as the tram
Route 777 — Gold Coast Airport only; stops at Miami One (~300m), about 25 minutes
Fares — 50 cents a journey
Leave the car in our lot (one permit per room, subject to availability) or do not hire one at all. For a car-free weekend built around this list, see things to do near Burleigh Motel.
A cheap room 200m from the beach
Cheap accommodation means more money for doing things — or for doing nothing on the sand. We are a family-run 36-room motel on the Gold Coast Highway in Miami QLD, on the Christine Avenue corner. Doubles from $125/night. Every room has a private ensuite, air conditioning, flat-screen TV (free-to-air), microwave, bar fridge, kettle, free Wi-Fi, and free toiletries. Outdoor pool, open all year. Book direct and there are no platform fees.
Named Best Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Burleigh Heads by Virgin Australia. 4.7 stars on Google from around 977 reviews.
Road-facing rooms have double-glazed windows on request — highway and tram line, not a construction story.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Beach free to swim at?
Yes. Burleigh Beach is free and patrolled. North end is best for families. South end near the headland is quieter with rock pools. It is 200m from the motel — about a 2-minute walk down Sixth Avenue.
Is the Burleigh Headland walk free?
Yes. Burleigh Head National Park has no entry fee. The loop is about 2.3km and takes around an hour.
When is the best time to see whales at Burleigh?
June to November. Head to Tumgun Lookout on the headland for the best vantage point.
Is Springbrook National Park free?
Yes. Springbrook National Park has no entry fee. It is about 45 minutes from Burleigh by car.
Is the light rail or Christine Avenue transport hub open yet?
Yes — the Christine Avenue tram and bus hub is open, right on our corner. G:link runs north to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale (change here for Brisbane Airport via Airtrain), and south to Burleigh Heads. Buses 700 and 765 stop at the same hub. Route 777 to Gold Coast Airport stops at Miami One (~300m). Fares are 50c with a go card or contactless.
How do I reach the free spots without a car?
Walk to the beach (200m) and the headland. For Broadbeach, Surfers or Coolangatta, use G:link or bus 700 from the hub on our corner. Route 777 to the airport is at Miami One (~300m).
Book Direct — Best Rates
Phone: (07) 5576 3211 · Email: info@burleighmotel.com.au · Location: 1908–1910 Gold Coast Highway, Miami QLD 4220
Beach, headland, 50-cent fares — and a tram and bus hub on our corner.
