Make friends with the wildlife, browse the craft markets and get back to nature at this jewel in the Gold Coast’s crown.
Any self-respecting surfer dude will have Burleigh Beach marked on the map as the setting for regular national and international surfing championships. This 2.5-kilometre stretch of Pacific coastline between Miami and Burleigh Heads is one of the best beaches on the Gold Coast for riding the waves – but there’s much more to its appeal than big breakers. The close proximity of the beach to Burleigh Heads National Park and two wildlife sanctuaries also makes it a paradise for nature-lovers.Follow the path from the Surf Life Saving Club along the esplanade to the car park at Goodwin Terrace to reach the entry to the national park, then choose which circuit to explore. The ocean view route runs just over a kilometre in one direction, while the slightly longer 2.3-kilometre rain forest circuit will lead you up to the lookout point, from where you can enjoy uninterrupted views across to Surfers Paradise. You might also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of migrating whales on the horizon. The best whale-spotting months are between May and October.Koalas and crocodiles are waiting to greet you at the nearby not-for-profit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and, further inland, the David Fleay Wildlife Park at Burleigh Heads. Here you can learn more about threatened indigenous species such as the cassowary, the bilby, the tree kangaroo and the duck-billed platypus and discover the important work that is being done to encourage their survival.While you’re in Burleigh Heads, take time to explore this delightful town with its plethora of restaurants and cafes offering a wide range of temptations from tapas to vegan, not forgetting the delicious seafood for which the coast is famous. You might well find a local musician or two entertaining the bar crowds at weekends, so pull up a stool and enjoy the atmosphere. Alternatively, take a picnic to Justins Park overlooking the beach, a favourite spot for local families to congregate. Arts and crafts markets are held here on the last Sunday of the month, where you can pick up a handmade memento of your visit.
