Things to Do in Burleigh Heads — Activities, Beaches and Day Trips

Burleigh Beach — a 2-Minute Walk

 

Walk out the door, head down Sixth Avenue, and 200m later you're on one of Australia's best beaches. Burleigh Beach has golden sand, reliable surf and the headland in view — swim, sunbathe, or watch the board riders from the sand. It is the main reason guests pick this postcode over a high-rise strip.

North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club does breakfast and cold beers with ocean views — good for a sunrise coffee or a sunset drink. See our blog guide to beaches within walking distance of Burleigh for more spots along the coast.

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Burleigh Headland and Walking Tracks

 

Burleigh Head National Park starts at the south end of the beach. The headland loop takes about 30 minutes through rainforest with ocean views — wild koalas in the fig trees are a regular sight, not a lucky fluke. Free entry. Allow extra time if you stop for photos at every lookout.

See our Burleigh Heads walking trails guide for track details. Other walks near the motel:

• North Burleigh Lookout — ocean views north towards Surfers Paradise. About a 10-minute walk from the motel

• Miami Hill Lookout — views over Miami Beach. About a 5-minute walk

• Burleigh Hill Lookout — the classic Burleigh view; watch the surfers from above. About a 15-minute walk

• Burleigh Hill Stairs — a good workout with beach views. A free outdoor gym

• Tallebudgera Creek — calm water for swimming, SUP and kayaking. About 10 minutes by car or bus south

 

Where to Eat and Drink

 

Burleigh's food scene is one of the best on the Gold Coast, and James Street is packed with cafes, restaurants and bars — all within walking distance of the motel. See our guides to where to eat and drink in Burleigh Heads and budget dining in Burleigh for the full list.

• Paddock Bakery — 150m from the motel. Wood-fired sourdough, pastries and all-day breakfast from 6am. A Burleigh institution — get in early or queue

• Rick Shores — beachfront Asian fusion on Burleigh Beach. Book well ahead

• Justin Lane — rooftop pizza, pasta and cocktails with ocean views

• LiTO — Italian cafe and bar, wood-grilled mains and hand-rolled pasta

• Local Burleigh — beer garden, lobster rolls, dog friendly

• The Commune — coffee and all-day dining

• Tarte Bakery — pastries and coffee

• Burgster — the local burger favourite

 

Bars and Breweries

 

Burleigh has a genuinely good bar scene — the Burleigh Brewing taproom, Burleigh Pavilion on the beach, and a string of good spots on James Street. See our Burleigh Heads nightlife guide for the full run-down.

• Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery — the Gold Coast's first craft distillery, a short walk from North Burleigh Beach. Tours and tastings

• Burleigh Pavilion / The Tropic — beach bar, live music, and a restaurant upstairs with ocean views

• Club Burleigh — cold beers, dining and live entertainment on the Gold Coast Highway

• Precinct Brewing Co — craft beer in an industrial space

• North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club — casual dining, ocean views, cold beers

 

Markets

 

Burleigh Markets run every Sunday at the beach — local produce, handmade goods and live music. Stay with us and walk there; no circling the streets for parking. See our Burleigh Heads local markets guide for times and what to expect.

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Miami Marketta

 

Miami Marketta is just down the road — street food from around the world, live music, and a genuinely local crowd every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. One of the best regular nights out on the Coast, and an easy walk or short bus trip from the motel. See our Miami Marketta night out guide for what to eat and when to arrive.

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Free Things to Do in Burleigh Heads

 

Beach, headland walk, lookouts, Sunday markets — you can fill several days without spending much at all. See our full guides to free things to do in Burleigh and free family activities in Burleigh Heads.

• Swim at Burleigh Beach — 200m walk, free

• Walk the headland track — free, no car required

• Watch sunrise from the lookouts

• Browse the Sunday markets at the beach

• Walk to Tallebudgera Creek

• People-watch on James Street

• Burleigh Hill Stairs — a free outdoor workout with ocean views

 

Getting Around Without a Car

 

You don't need a car to explore the Gold Coast from Burleigh Gold Coast Motel. G:link and bus 765 stop at the Christine Avenue stop on our corner. G:link runs north to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale (Airtrain change for Brisbane Airport), and south to Burleigh Heads. Routes 700 and 777 stop at Miami One (~300m) — the 777 is Gold Coast Airport only, about 25 minutes. See our getting around Burleigh without a car guide.

• G:link — light rail at the Christine Avenue stop, on our corner

• Bus 765 — same stop. Toward Robina for Cbus Super Stadium and Robina Town Centre

• Route 700 — Miami One (~300m). Runs the Gold Coast Highway. Surfers Paradise in about 25 minutes

• Route 777 — Miami One (~300m). Gold Coast Airport only, about 25 minutes. Do not treat 700 as an airport bus

All fares are 50 cents with a go card or contactless tap on and off. Road-facing rooms have double-glazed windows on request — handy with the highway and tram line outside.

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Wildlife

 

Burleigh Head National Park has wild koalas in the fig trees along the headland walk, about 10 minutes from the motel. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is 10 minutes south for a fuller experience — feed lorikeets, meet koalas, see crocodiles, great for families. David Fleay Wildlife Park is even closer, with a quieter, conservation-focused visit. See our family activities guide for more ideas with kids.

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Theme Parks

 

Every major Gold Coast theme park is within about 32 minutes, and free parking at the motel (subject to availability) means you can drive up and leave the car here — then come back to the beach, not a theme-park car park. See our full theme park accommodation guide.

• Sea World — about 29 minutes north

• Movie World — about 26 minutes north

• Wet'n'Wild — about 26 minutes north

• Dreamworld — about 32 minutes north

• WhiteWater World — about 32 minutes north

 

Day Trips from Burleigh

 

Burleigh is a great base for the whole region — Lamington National Park, Byron Bay and Brisbane are all within about 90 minutes. See our Gold Coast hinterland day trips guide and Burleigh to Coolangatta itinerary.

• Harbour Town Premium Outlets — 20 minutes north. Over 200 stores; grab lunch at Crafty's after you shop

• Coolangatta and Kirra — 15 minutes south. More surf breaks, the Greenmount headland, and the airport

• Tamborine Mountain — 40 minutes west. Rainforest walks, wineries, glow-worm caves and Gallery Walk

• Byron Bay — 45 minutes south. The lighthouse walk, beaches and the famous town vibe

• Mermaid Beach — 10 minutes north. Boutique cafes and a quieter beach

 

Surfers Paradise

 

Surfers Paradise is 14km north — the skyline, casino, Cavill Avenue and SkyPoint observation deck are worth a half day. Catch G:link from the stop on our corner, or route 700 from Miami One (~300m) — about 25 minutes, 50 cents with a go card. You are on the tram line, not a long walk to a distant stop.

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Couples and Girls' Weekends

 

Burleigh is one of the best spots on the Gold Coast for a couples' trip or a girls' weekend — sunset walks, rooftop bars, headland views, great coffee and none of the Surfers chaos. See our guides to romantic getaways in Burleigh Heads, affordable couples adventures, and girls' weekend away in Burleigh Heads.

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2026 Events — Book Early

 

Big events fill up fast around Burleigh, so book early. See our Budget Gold Coast Accommodation 2026 guide for dates and tips.

• Gold Coast Marathon — July

• School holidays — July, September and December

• Supercars Gold Coast 500 — 23–25 October

• Surface Festival — open-air art in Miami and Burleigh, every July

 

Must-Do Experiences in Burleigh

 

The things most guests wish they'd known about before they arrived. See our full must-do experiences in Burleigh guide and top things to do in Burleigh Heads.

• Walk the Burleigh headland — free, 30 minutes, ocean views all the way

• Breakfast at Paddock Bakery — get in early or queue

• Sunset at Burleigh Pavilion — grab a drink and watch the surf

• Friday or Saturday night at Miami Marketta

• Sunday markets at Burleigh Beach

• Dinner at Rick Shores — book well ahead

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the top attractions near Burleigh Gold Coast Motel?

Near Burleigh Gold Coast Motel: Burleigh Beach (200m, walk down Sixth Avenue), Burleigh Head National Park (~2km), Paddock Bakery (150m), Miami Marketta (Wed/Fri/Sat nights), James Street cafes, and the Christine Avenue stop on our corner (G:link + bus 765). Theme parks are within about 32 minutes; Gold Coast Airport is about 25 minutes on route 777 from Miami One (~300m).

Where to book a motel room close to public transport in Gold Coast?

Burleigh Gold Coast Motel sits on the corner of Christine Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway in Miami QLD. G:link and bus 765 stop at the Christine Avenue stop on our corner. G:link runs north to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale, and south to Burleigh Heads. Routes 700 and 777 stop at Miami One (~300m) — the 777 is Gold Coast Airport only. 50-cent Translink fare with a go card or contactless. 200m to Burleigh Beach. Book at burleighmotel.com.au/bookyourstay.

How do I get from Gold Coast Airport without a car?

Take route 777 — about 25 minutes to Miami One (~300m from the motel). Once you're here, G:link and bus 765 from the Christine Avenue stop on our corner cover Broadbeach, Surfers and Robina. Route 700 at Miami One runs the highway. 50 cents with a go card or contactless tap on and off.

Does G:link stop at Christine Avenue?

Yes. G:link and bus 765 stop at the Christine Avenue stop on our corner. G:link runs north to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale (Airtrain change for Brisbane Airport), and south to Burleigh Heads. Routes 700 and 777 stop at Miami One (~300m). Fares are 50 cents with a go card or contactless.

Do you serve breakfast?

No — Burleigh Gold Coast Motel does not serve breakfast on site. Paddock Bakery is 150m away, open from 6am daily. James Street cafes are a short walk for brunch.

See all motel FAQs →

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Book Direct — Best Rates

 

Planning your Burleigh stay? Call (07) 5576 3211 or book direct — no platform fees, flexible cancellation on standard direct bookings. 36 rooms from $125/night. Free parking subject to availability. Outdoor pool. 200m to Burleigh Beach.

Book now | View all rooms | Contact us

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Phone: (07) 5576 3211 · Email: info@burleighmotel.com.au · Location: 1908–1910 Gold Coast Highway, Miami QLD 4220