About Burleigh Head

Park features

Burleigh headland is a prominent Gold Coast landmark. Within the headland’s 27ha national park you will discover rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath, mangroves, 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

You can help protect the park so it can be enjoyed now and in the future by observing these guidelines:

• Everything in the park (living or dead) is protected. Do not take or interfere with plants, animals, soil or rocks.
• Leave pets at home; even their scent frightens native animals.
• Leave bicycles at the park entrance.
• Take your rubbish out of the park.
• Lighting of fires is prohibited—the rainforest and its animals would be devastated by wildfire.
• Keep to constructed tracks; shortcutting causes erosion.
• Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive. Store food in lockable containers.
• Contact the Queensland Government Wildlife Hotline to report: wildlife incidents, marine animal strike, marine stranding or an injured, sick or dead turtle, dolphin or whale.

See the 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 Visitor Information Centre
www.destinationgoldcoast.com
2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
PO Box 7091, Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
Ph: 1300 309 440
Fax: (07) 5570 3259
Email: infosurfers@destinationgoldcoast.com

Gold Coast Airport Visitor Information Centre
www.destinationgoldcoast.com
Site 20, Gold Coast Airport, Domestic Arrival Terminal, 1 Terminal Drive, Billinga
PO Box 383, Elanora LPO QLD 4221
Ph: (07) 5536 4709
Fax: (07) 5536 8571
Email: infocoolangatta@destinationgoldcoast.com

Destination Gold Coast: Burleigh Heads
www.destinationgoldcoast.com

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