Burleigh Heads, QLD 4220

4.3(14 reviews)

Ranked 30th best suburb by locals in Gold Coast Region, QLD

Great for

  • Parks and recreation
  • Clean & green
  • Eating out
  • Resale or rental value
  • Neighbourly spirit

Not great for

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Who lives here?

  • Professionals
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  • Families With Kids
  • Retirees
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Reviews of Burleigh Heads, QLD

"The Byron Bay of the Gold Coast"

HISTORY OF BURLEIGH
The first inhabitants of the Burleigh area were the 5000 year old Gombemberri Tribe, known as the Salt Water People. It is believed that they lived in the area for thousands of years until around 1936.
In 1840 surveyor R. Dixon and his assistant,J.R.Warner, were commissioned to survey the coastline and named the southern headland Big Burley because of its massive size and the northern headland Little Burley. Over the years Burley was changed to Burleigh.
European settlement began in the 1850s with timber getters attracted to the rich source of cedar. The Town of Burleigh was surveyed in 1871 and the land opened in 1873.
In 1885 a portion of land fronting Goodwin Tce was allocated as a permanent reserve and became known as Rudd Park, named after W.G.H.Rudd, Nerang Shire Chairman. In 1934 Rudd Park became the home ground of the newly formed Burleigh Bears Football Club, and is now occupied by the Burleigh Beach Tourist Park.
Burleigh headland was officially set aside as a reserve for public purposes in 1886, and gazetted a National Park in 1947.
In 1888 the first store and a Post Office were established, shortly followed by a Hotel as a welcome stop for travellers.
The first blocks of land were offered for sale during World War 1 and a second release of land began in 1919.
The first lifesaving patrols began on Burleigh Beach in the summer of 1918/19 and Burleigh Heads Life Saving Club was established in 1921 with an equipment shed built in late 1922. Brisbane based Mowbray Park Surf Lifesaving Club began patrolling Burleigh Beach in the early 1930s and was officially formed in 1935. North Burleigh began patrolling the North Burleigh area in 1950.
The Burleigh Heads Bowls Club was built on swampland which was reclaimed in 1933. The bowls Club was officially opened in 1937 and remains on the same site today.
In 1947 an outdoor skating rink was built along the foreshore but destroyed by a cyclone in 1954. Gold Coast personality, Jack Evans, built the first swimming pool at Burleigh in 1953 which was replaced in 1987 with a new swimming centre within The Beach House complex, which also contains beachfront restaurants.
In 1934, local shopkeepers, the Justin brothers planted 100 Norfolk Island pines along the Esplanade.
Sandmining commenced on 8 acres of the foreshore at North Burleigh in 1941 and ceased in the early 1950s.
Fowlers accommodation house, a ten bedroom prefabricated building, was established as a guest house in 1883, and became known as the Burleigh Heads Hotel, but burnt down in 1887 and a larger hotel comprising of 13 bedrooms, 3 sitting rooms, and a large dining room, was rebuilt on the site where the Swell Apartment complex now sits.
By 1936, over the Christmas period, 20,000 people were camping along the foreshore, and in 1959 the council no longer allowed camping on the foreshore so in 1960 the Paradise Caravan Park opened, where Paradise Grove Apartments now sit.
Holiday unit complexes began being constructed between the highway and the beach in the 1950s and the first medium rise apartments at Burleigh Heads were built along Goodwin Tce in the 1960s.
The first permanent store at Burleigh opened in 1915, with Justins Store opening on the corner of Connor St and the Gold Coast Hwy in 1919 and operated for 35 years. The commercial centre in James and Connor Streets was well established by the 1930s and Penneys chain store opened in Connor St in 1955, which later became Coles.
In 1901 a railway station was built at Booningba, West Burleigh, which was about half an hours buggy ride from Burleigh Heads. The first motor garage was established at Burleigh Heads in 1924.
Surfing came to Burleigh Heads in the 1960s and the point break is renowned as being one of the best in the world.
If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in Burleigh Heads then please contact David Christie, Licenced Real Estate Agent Mob 0417 195 319

Who lives here?

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Looking for a home in Burleigh Heads?

Nicky Cunningham real estate agent
Nicky Cunningham
Harcourts Broadbeach - Mermaid Waters

"Abundance of Restaurants, Trendy Cafe's and Beautiful Beaches!"

Perfect for those with an active lifestyle and beach lovers. Burleigh Heads has a relaxed vibe, which is popular for tourists. There are new bars popping up every couple of months, and lots of raved about Restaurants and trendy cafes - such as the popular Justin Lane.
Grab a picnic blanket and a bicycle and explore the many outdoor paths and picnic areas Burleigh Heads has to offer - they truly are endless!

Who lives here?

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"Best part of the Gold Coast"

Beautiful beach suburb in the lower mid gold coast. Popular among visiting celebrities, Justin beiber, Nicole Ritchie, Joel madden and nelly have all been spotted in the area.

Beach side running tracks, a nature reserve hiking track and off leash dog park compliment the beach perfectly for outdoor types.

The popular James street and surrounding area is lined with cafes, restaurants and boutique stores but for a bigger shop head To the nearby stocklands.

Many schools in the area, both public and private and a main bus terminal making transportation super easy.

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"A beautiful part of the Coast"

I've lived at Burleigh with my partner for the past 2 and half years and have nothing but praise for the place. The beach is stunning and dog friendly, the shops and the people are lovely. I'm originally from a small country town and burleigh made me feel at home with it's friendly community vibe. Everything you need is here, i rarely leave burleigh. Sunday nights are great with fire dancers and drumming on the beach front. Great trendy shops, galleries and cafes. The house rentals are quite dear though, even for something run down and old and there is a bit of a drug/crime problem in the area.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
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  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
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AlastairWoods real estate agent
AlastairWoods
Burleigh Property Sales

"Hidden Gem"

I have recently moved to Burleigh Heads from Sydney. I love this place. the beach is georgeous, the people are friendly, it's safe and clean and there is always something to do.
the local shops around james and connor street have a fantastic village atmosphere and are packed with cafes, restaurants and independant shops. they are located only 100m from the beach. The southern headland has a small National Park with a well maintained walking track the takes you to several lookouts with stunning views in all directions.

Burleigh Heads is located approx 10km south of Surfers Paradise. close enough for nights on the town, yet far enough that you don't have the overcrowding. We are also about 15km north of the Gold Coast Airport yet we have no flight paths overhead, so its nice and quiet.

The Gold Coast Hinterland is about 30 min drive with National Parks, Waterfalls, Small country towns and plenty of camping sites.

Brisbane is approx 1 hour commute north with the Pacific Motorway taking you right into the CBD.

Burleigh has everything you are looking for, with none of the drawbacks of city life.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
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  • Retirees
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  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
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1
kid

best place on the Goldy by a long shot!

Alison Millar
Alison Millar

This was a really helpful post, as are many of the others, but as an ex-Sydney person, now living in Tasmania, but wanting to move to the Gold Coast, this post just further cements my positive opinion of Burleigh as the place to move to.

thyrr

Hi! This page is awesome! Any recommendation on spots with cost benefit apartments in the area?

suzanneb7

Thanks for the comments. my family and i are living in Sydney and are thinking about moving to Burleigh. Would you recommend a young family to move here? My boys are 7 and 12 with the eldest just about to go to high school.
any advice would be great.

lisa-carsel

Looking at moving to Burleigh next year. Can anyone recommend the best high school for a 12 year old girl?

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Rentals in Burleigh Heads

"West Burleigh"

West Burleigh is only a quick 3-4 minute drive to burliegh heads. Burliegh heads is a famous surf spot with a funky retail precinct of restaurants, cafes, clothing and more

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"Magnificent Burleigh Heads"

Burleigh Heads is a great place to visit. On the beach front is a three storey complex which features several restaurants over looking the ocean. Burliegh Heads is a surfy village of the Gold Coast and attracts people of all ages.

If your not a local and you are looking for parking you can literally spend 30 minutes searching for one especially on a sunday.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
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  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
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  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
2
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"One of the finest location in SEQ"

We can find most of the facilities including shops, beach, parks, restaurants, schools, airport, hospital etc within 10 min from where we live. The only drawback is the lack of the public transport access on the other side of the highway.

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"one of the more overrated parts of the coast"

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Keet95

Obviously you did not stay long enough to appreciate that Burleigh has the best beach, friendly cafes, great dining and interesting shops. Where could rate better than the Esplanade?

SarahJaneS

Crissy, I don't mean to dis' you, but can you confirm you have actually lived in all - if any - of these suburbs? I find it highly unlikely you could have spent any more than a week in Burleigh and have given it such low scores for Shopping and Nightlife. You're a stones throw from all-night parties (even on the beach!), some of the BEST restaurants I have ever been too, and the most ecclectic arrangement of shops. Not to mention having The gargantuan Robina Shoping Centre just down the road. I enjoyed every minute in Burleigh and think it's a shame you didn't agree.

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"Plenty of beach locations that are better value"

Who lives here?

  • Singles
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  • Singles
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  • Retirees
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"A great life of all walks of life! Family, Retired, Single, Professionals"

Beautiful Burleigh Heads offers a prime surfing spot, fishing, parks and exercise tracks, the stunning Burleigh Bluff, it has a relaxed atmosphere and the locals and holiday makers alike are friendly and happy. It is a clean suburb with lovely lakes, crystal clear ocean with whales being see easily in season, the Surf Clubs and Patrols do a great job protecting our beaches, there are all the usually fast food options but also great restaurants and cafes.

Burleigh has been a great holiday spot since the early 1900's and this will continue to grow as people who come here fall in love for the place and why wouldn't you!

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  • Professionals
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  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
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"Just another surf beach? No, this is a stunning surf beach!"

Burleigh Heads is a really bustling centre. It is busy, busy, busy. The area has developed in ways. Shops, restaurants, apartments, holiday apartments, and houses bringing in a variety of people at all times of the year.

In behind Burleigh are some lovely canal homes that are taking full benefit of being so close to the ocean. The Gold Coast is really the home of canals. They just thread their way all the way through behind the coast.

Burleigh Heads and the surrounding area is more for local residents, even though there is a strong holiday population as well. There is large well equipped park area near the beach shopping centre and the whole area has such a relaxing feel.

There are numerous activitiesin the area for all ages and all interests.

Who lives here?

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  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
2
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