About Burleigh Head

Park features

Burleigh headland is a prominent Gold Coast landmark. Within the headland’s 27.6ha national park you will discover rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, creeks, rocky foreshore and beaches.

Visitors may glimpse humpback whales breaching in coastal waters during winter and spring, see white-bellied sea-eagles riding the ridge updrafts, or watch birdwing butterflies feeding on rainforest nectars in mid-summer.

• Read more about the nature, culture and history of Burleigh Head National Park.

Looking after the park

Help us protect and preserve the park so it can be enjoyed both now and in the future by following these important guidelines:

• Leave pets at home. Pets are not permitted in national parks—even their scent can disturb and frighten native animals.
• Bike riders: Please leave bicycles, including e-bikes and e-scooters, at the park entrance. Use the bike racks provided to secure you bike. Bicycles are not allowed on paths within the national park.
• Take your rubbish with you. Ensure all rubbish is taken with you and disposed of responsibly. Keeping the park clean helps protect its natural beauty and wildlife.
• No fires. Lighting fires is strictly prohibited to safeguard the rainforest and its inhabitants.
• Stick to designated tracks: keep to constructed tracks, shortcutting damages vegetation and causes soil erosion.
• Do not take or interfere with plants, animals, soil or rocks. Everything in the park (living or dead) is protected.
• Do not leave food unattended or feed animals. Feeding wildlife or leaving food behind can harm animals and encourage aggressive behaviour .
• If you encounter sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife, please visit Be Wildlife Aware to report.
• See  guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Burleigh Head National Park covers 27.6ha and is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The Burleigh headland was first set aside as a reserve for public purposes in 1886 and in 1947 was gazetted national park. It is now the only Gold Coast rocky headland that remains substantially in its natural state.

A variety of habitats, including grasslands, lowland rainforest and pandanus groves, are conserved in the park. It also contains interesting geological forms and is of important cultural heritage significance to the Traditional Owners of the area.

The park provides a popular recreational and educational venue for local and international visitors and is one of the most visited parks in the region.

Tourism information links

Surfers Paradise Explore Centre
experiencegoldcoast.com
ph 1300 309 440
Email: infosurfers@destinationgoldcoast.com

Gold Coast Airport Explore Centre
experiencegoldcoast.com
ph 1300 309 440
Email: infocoolangatta@destinationgoldcoast.com

Harbour Town Visitor Information Centre
harbourtowngoldcoast.com.au
ph (07) 5529 1735

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.