Burleigh Beach sunset Gold Coast — things to do near Burleigh Gold Coast Motel, 5-min walk from $145 per night

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

100 metres from Burleigh Beach. Bus stop 100m away at Miami One. No car needed to explore the Gold Coast.

Burleigh punches well above its size. Beach, national park, great food, live music, markets, and day trips — most of it walkable from the motel.

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Live music at Miami Marketta Gold Coast — Wednesday Friday Saturday nights, short walk from Burleigh Gold Coast Motel

Burleigh Beach — 5-Min Walk

Walk out the door, cross the highway, and you are on one of Australia's best beaches. Burleigh Beach has golden sand, reliable surf, and the iconic headland. Swimming, surfing, or just watching the waves — it is all right here.

The North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club serves breakfast and cold beers with ocean views. Great for sunrise coffee or sunset drinks.

See our full guide to beaches within walking distance of Burleigh.

Burleigh Headland and Walking Tracks

The Burleigh Head National Park starts at the south end of the beach. The headland walk takes about 30 minutes and loops through rainforest with ocean views. Spot koalas in the trees. Free to enter, no car required.

North Burleigh Lookout — ocean views north towards Surfers Paradise. 10-min walk from the motel
Miami Hill Lookout — views over Miami Beach. 5-min walk
Burleigh Hill Lookout — classic Burleigh view. Watch the surfers from above. 15-min walk
Burleigh Hill Stairs — good workout with beach views. Free outdoor gym
Tallebudgera Creek — calm water for swimming, SUP, and kayaking. 10-min drive or bus south

See our full Burleigh Heads walking trails guide.

Where to Eat and Drink

Burleigh's food scene is one of the best on the Gold Coast. James Street is packed with cafes, restaurants, and bars all within walking distance of the motel.

James Street in Burleigh is packed with options, all within walking distance. See our full guide to where to eat and drink in Burleigh Heads and our budget dining in Burleigh guide.

Paddock Bakery — 150m from the motel. Wood-fired sourdough, pastries, and all day breakfast. Open from 6am. A Burleigh institution
Rick Shores — beachfront Asian fusion right on Burleigh Beach. Book well ahead
Justin Lane — rooftop pizza, pasta, and cocktails with ocean views
LiTO — Italian café 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 — 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 full Burleigh Heads nightlife guide.

Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery — Gold Coast's first craft distillery, 2-min walk from North Burleigh Beach. Tours and tastings available
Burleigh Pavilion / The Tropic — beach bar, live music, and 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, live music. Stay with us and walk there — no circling the streets for parking. See our Burleigh Heads local markets guide.

Village Markets at Burleigh are on the first and third Sunday of each month. Fashion, art, and design.

Miami Marketta

Street food from around the world, live music, and a genuinely local crowd. One of the best regular nights out on the Gold Coast.

Miami Marketta is just down the road. Street food from around the world, live music, and local culture every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. Walk there or catch the bus. See our Miami Marketta night out guide.

Free Things to Do in Burleigh

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 — 5-min walk, free entry
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 — free outdoor workout with ocean views

Getting Around Without a Car

You do not need a car to explore the Gold Coast from our motel. Bus stop right out front with three key routes. See our full guide to getting around Burleigh without a car.

Route 700 — runs the length of the Coast. Surfers Paradise in about 25 minutes
Route 777 — direct to Gold Coast Airport in 25 minutes
Route 765 — to Robina train station for connections to Brisbane

All fares are 50 cents with a Go Card.

Wildlife

Burleigh Head National Park has wild koalas in the fig trees along the headland walk — just 10 minutes from the motel. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is 10 minutes south for a fuller experience.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is 10 minutes south. Feed lorikeets, cuddle koalas, see crocodiles. Great for families. David Fleay Wildlife Park is even closer — native animals in a quieter setting. See our family activities guide for more.

Theme Parks

All major Gold Coast theme parks within 32 minutes. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild, and Dreamworld — all easy day trips from Burleigh.

All Gold Coast theme parks are within 35 minutes drive. Free parking at the motel subject to availability.

Sea World — 20 minutes north
Movie World — 25 minutes north
Wet'n'Wild — 25 minutes north
Dreamworld — 35 minutes north
WhiteWater World — 35 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 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 with up to 70% off. Grab lunch at Crafty's after you shop
Coolangatta and Kirra — 15 minutes south. More surf breaks, Greenmount headland, and the airport. See our Burleigh to Coolangatta itinerary
Tamborine Mountain — 40 minutes west. Rainforest walks, wineries, glow worm caves, and Gallery Walk. See our hinterland day trips guide
Byron Bay — 45 minutes south. Lighthouse walk, beaches, and the famous town vibe
Mermaid Beach — 10 minutes north. Boutique cafes and a quieter beach vibe

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise is 25 minutes north on Route 700. The skyline, casino, Cavill Avenue, and SkyPoint observation deck are all worth a half day.

Surfers Paradise is 14km north. High-rise towers, nightlife, and tourist attractions. Catch Route 700 from our door — about 25 minutes, 50 cents with a Go Card.

Couples Activities

Burleigh is one of the best spots on the Gold Coast for a couple's trip. Sunset walks, rooftop bars, headland views, and great food — all walkable.

See our guides to romantic getaways in Burleigh Heads, affordable couples adventures on the Gold Coast, and weekend adventure ideas for couples.

Sunrise swim at Burleigh Beach
Breakfast at Paddock Bakery — 150m from the motel
Headland walk with ocean views
Sunset drinks at Burleigh Pavilion
Dinner at Rick Shores — book ahead
Friday night at Miami Marketta

Girls Weekend in Burleigh

Burleigh is the Gold Coast's best girls weekend destination — markets on Saturday, Miami Marketta on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and James Street for brunch.

See our girls weekend away in Burleigh Heads guide for the full rundown — markets, brunches, bars, and beaches.