Free Things to Do in Burleigh Heads
Updated: Sep 18
You do not need to spend money to have a good day in Burleigh. The best free things to do in Burleigh Heads cost nothing: a swim at the north end of Burleigh Beach, 200m down Sixth Avenue from our door, the national park tracks on the headland, the Sunday markets, and 50-cent G:link rides from the stop 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 to the north end. Swim between the red and yellow flags. Early mornings are the quietest.
The south end runs down to the headland, Justins Park and the point — two G:link stops south of us, at Burleigh Heads.
Tallebudgera Creek, on the far side of the headland, is the calm-water option when the surf is up or the kids are small. There is no surf, and a lifesaving club patrols one flagged area on weekends and public holidays through the warmer months. Currents run near the creek mouth, so stay between the flags. Pack a picnic. Paddleboard 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, walk the headland. Burleigh Head National Park has no entry fee. See our things to do in Burleigh Heads guide for more.
Two graded tracks and a lookout (distances and times from Queensland Parks):
Oceanview track — 1.2km one way, allow about 30 minutes. Follows the rocky coastline around the headland to Tallebudgera Creek and Echo Beach, with the Pacific beside you. Grade 2.
Rainforest circuit — 2.3km return, allow about 45 minutes. Shaded, with steps and one steep section. Grade 3.
Tumgun Lookout — on the Rainforest circuit, at the top of the steep section. The headland's best whale-spotting perch.
Walk out on the Oceanview track and come back through the Rainforest circuit for a loop. Stay on the tracks — the boulder fields, including Cannon Rock, are off limits and penalties apply. Sections can close around severe weather, so check Park alerts first.
Go early morning or late afternoon. Midday is too hot and too busy. Watch for sea-eagles over the water and dolphins offshore.
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 at the south end. Grab fish and chips, find a spot on the grass, and stay for the late light.
Whale watching runs June to November as humpbacks migrate along the coast. Tumgun Lookout and the Oceanview track are the best spots on the headland. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Mick Schamburg Park, on Miami Hill between Miami Beach and North Burleigh, is the Miami-side lookout. Climb the rainbow stairs from the south end of Miami Beach for views north to Surfers Paradise.
Markets and a free arvo
The Coastal Markets run along Justins Park, between First and Third Avenues, on the last Sunday of every month, 8am–2pm — local art, craft, makers and food.
Burleigh Market runs every Saturday, 7am–12 noon, at Burleigh Heads State School on the Lower Gold Coast Highway — farm produce, bakery, flowers, arts and crafts.
Entry to both is free. You will probably end up buying a coffee, but browsing costs nothing.
Window shopping on James Street at the south end 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 free entry Wednesday to Saturday, 5–10pm. It is a street-food laneway, so you only pay for what you eat and drink. Ticketed gigs are separate.
Free fitness, if that is your thing:
Outdoor fitness equipment — on the Justins Park foreshore
Beach running — hard sand at low tide
Miami's rainbow 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. Weekday evenings are quieter.
A hinterland day and other cheap extras
Springbrook National Park is a hinterland drive rather than a tram trip. Natural Bridge is the highlight — a rock arch with a waterfall, and glow-worms in the cave after dark. There is no park entry fee. Walk in daylight unless you are there for the glow-worms, follow the cave rules, bring good shoes and check the weather — the hinterland gets wet. Check Park alerts before you drive up.
Nearly free, if you want a small spend:
A takeaway coffee on James Street
Fish and chips on the grass at Justins Park
David Fleay Wildlife Park — paid entry, well below the big theme-park prices
A 50-cent trip north to Broadbeach on G:link, or south to Coolangatta on bus 700 from Burleigh Heads — tap on and off with a go card or contactless card
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.
Getting to the free spots on 50-cent fares
Everything above except Springbrook is walkable or a 50-cent ride from Burleigh Gold Coast Motel.
G:link — stops on our corner. North to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale (change there for trains; the Airtrain leg to Brisbane Airport is not a 50-cent fare). South two stops to Burleigh Heads for the headland, James Street and Justins Park.
Bus 765 — stops on our corner.
Buses 700 and 777 — catch them at Burleigh Heads, two tram stops south. Route 700 for Coolangatta; route 777 for Gold Coast Airport.
Fares — 50 cents a journey on trams and buses.
Leave the car in our lot (one permit per room, subject to availability) or skip the hire car. For a car-free weekend built around this list, see things to do near Burleigh Motel. For what's on, see things to do on the Gold Coast this weekend. To stretch the budget further, see budget travel on the Gold Coast.
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, hair dryer, iron, 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.
Road-facing rooms have double-glazed windows on request — the highway and tram line run past the front.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burleigh Beach free to swim at?
Yes. Burleigh Beach is free; swim between the red and yellow flags. The north end is 200m from the motel, straight down Sixth Avenue. The south end runs to the headland and Justins Park, two G:link stops south at Burleigh Heads.
Is the Burleigh Headland walk free?
Yes. Burleigh Head National Park has no entry fee. Queensland Parks lists the Oceanview track at 1.2km one way (allow about 30 minutes) and the Rainforest circuit at 2.3km return (allow about 45 minutes). Stay on the tracks and check Park alerts before you go.
When is the best time to see whales at Burleigh?
June to November, during the humpback migration. Tumgun Lookout on the Rainforest circuit is the best vantage point on the headland, followed by the Oceanview track.
Are there Sunday markets in Burleigh Heads?
Yes. The Coastal Markets run along Justins Park, between First and Third Avenues, on the last Sunday of every month from 8am to 2pm. On Saturdays, Burleigh Market runs from 7am to 12 noon at Burleigh Heads State School. Entry to both is free.
Is Tallebudgera Creek good for swimming?
Yes. It is the calm-water option, with no surf. Swim between the flags in the patrolled area, which is covered on weekends and public holidays through the warmer months, and keep clear of the currents near the creek mouth.
Is Springbrook National Park free?
Yes. There is no park entry fee. It is a hinterland drive rather than a tram trip, so check Park alerts and the weather before you go, and follow the cave rules at Natural Bridge.
Does the G:link tram go to Burleigh Heads?
Yes. G:link stops on our corner and runs two stops south to Burleigh Heads for the headland, James Street and Justins Park, and north to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale. Every trip is 50 cents with a go card or contactless card.
How do I reach the free spots without a car?
Walk to the beach: it is 200m down Sixth Avenue. Take G:link two stops south to Burleigh Heads for the headland, James Street and Justins Park, or north from our corner for Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. Bus 765 also stops on our corner. From Burleigh Heads, take bus 700 for Coolangatta or route 777 for Gold Coast Airport.
Book Direct — Best Rates
Call (07) 5576 3211 or book direct — no platform fees, free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival on refundable bookings. 36 rooms from $125/night. Free parking. Outdoor pool. 200m to Burleigh Beach.
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 G:link stop on our corner.
