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.

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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.

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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

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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 — two tram stops south (Oceanway or G:link), not a walk from the motel door. 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. 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

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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

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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 Wednesday to Saturday, 5–10pm. 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

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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. For 700 (Currumbin and Coolangatta) or 777 (Gold Coast Airport), ride G:link two stops south to Burleigh Heads — neither bus stops at Miami.

• 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 — transfer at Burleigh Heads (G:link two stops south). South to Currumbin and Coolangatta. Does not run north of Burleigh Heads

• Route 777 — transfer at Burleigh Heads. Gold Coast Airport only. 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. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is 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

 

Stay near the beach and drive to the parks — then come back to the sand, not a theme-park car park. Free parking at the motel, subject to availability. Drive times live on our theme park accommodation page — this page does not quote park minutes.

• Sea World

• Movie World

• Wet'n'Wild

• Dreamworld

• WhiteWater World

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Day Trips from Burleigh

 

Burleigh is a great base for the whole region — Lamington National Park, Byron Bay and Brisbane are day-trip range. 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

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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 Christine Avenue stop on our corner. 50 cents with a go card or contactless. 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

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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

• A night at Miami Marketta — Wednesday to Saturday, 5–10pm

• Sunday markets at Burleigh Beach

• Dinner at Rick Shores — book well ahead

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Frequently Asked Questions

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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 (Wednesday to Saturday, 5–10pm), James Street cafes two tram stops south, and the Christine Avenue stop on our corner (G:link + bus 765). Theme-park drive times live on our theme park accommodation page.

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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 — where you can transfer to bus 700 (Currumbin/Coolangatta) or 777 (Gold Coast Airport). Neither bus stops at Miami. 50-cent Translink fare with a go card or contactless. 200m to Burleigh Beach. Book at burleighmotel.com.au/bookyourstay.

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

From Gold Coast Airport, take bus 777 to Stockland Burleigh Heads, then G:link two stops north to Christine Avenue on our corner. The 777 does not stop at Miami. Once you're here, G:link and bus 765 from our corner cover Broadbeach, Surfers and Robina. 50 cents with a go card or contactless tap on and off.

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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. For 700 and 777, ride two stops south to Burleigh Heads. Fares are 50 cents with a go card or contactless.

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Do you serve breakfast?

No — Burleigh Gold Coast Motel does not serve breakfast on site. Paddock Bakery is 150m away. James Street cafes are two tram stops south for brunch.

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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, free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival on refundable bookings. 36 rooms from $125/night. Free parking subject to availability. Outdoor pool. 200m to Burleigh Beach.

 

Book now | View all rooms | Contact us

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