Burleigh Head National Park: An easy bushwalk in the heart of town

This section of Burleigh Heads, or Jellurgal, holds a particular significance for the Yugambeh people, traditional custodians of the Gold Coast region.

Located on the Southern end of the Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads National Park offers two very popular bush walking trails for families, casual walkers, weekend warriors and runners who need to be challenged by a little bit of slope.

• CONVENIENCE: 8/10

• DIFFICULTY: 3/10  

• UNIQUENESS: 7/10

HOW TO GET THERE

If you look online, you will be systematically pointed towards the 2 main entry points: the Southern entrance located near the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, next to the Tallebudgeera Creek’s bridge; and the Northern entrance accessible from Goodwin Terrace, near Burleigh’s Surf Life Saving Club.

Considering these 2 entries have limited parking spots, we prefer using an alternative entrance on Julia Street,  parking our car on one of the residential streets adjacent to it.

DISTANCES

Burleigh Heads National Park features two walking tracks looping around the headland.  For any avid walkers, it would easily take less than 1 hour to do the loop. But there is no reason why you could not do 2 laps, if fitness is your goal.

The Ocean View Circuit (1.2 km one way) is a safe and easy track which reminds me of the beginning  part of the Noosa National Park. Compared to Noosa, the Ocean View Circuit is just a warm up.

The Rainforest Circuit (2.3 km return) has a steeper section leading to the Tumgun lookout, which offers a stunning view of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast hinterland.

What’s special about Burleigh Heads National Park

• • Although the park is located in the middle of the city, right on the edge of the busy Gold Coast Highway,  it offers a beautiful combination of rainforest and ocean views. 
  • Tumgun lookout is a great spot to observe humpback whales during the migration season for free – something we can testify to personally.
  • Australian Brush-turkeys, recognisable with their yellow throat wattle and water dragons are part of the local fauna that you can encounter on and off the trails.

BONUS

I like ending the Burleigh Head National Park walk by having a swim in Tallebudgera Creek, whose water is remarkably blue and clear.

Baby Australian-brush turkey

Water dragon

Grave site in the memory of Tyson Robert Fabbro

Grave site in the memory of Tyson Robert Fabbro