Burleigh Headland National Park Walk

Burleigh Headland features a variety of terranes which excite those who want to get fit or maintain their fitness level. However this page is all about walking for pleasure so let's get to it! The Ocean Circuit first.

The Ocean Circuit which is the lower circuit hugs the foreshore with spectacular views of Palm Beach and Tallebudgera Creek....don't forget your camera.

The beach circuit is all about taking your time and enjoying the walk. This walk is gentler on the body and the best to take if you don't like any inclines. Starting from the northern entrance (Tallebudgera Creek entrance) you will have breathtaking Tallebudgera Creek on your right. Continue along this path until you come to a fork in the track. Continue straight ahead, but first let's take a quick detour onto Echo Beach. This is a secluded spot which is quiet early in the day, you could almost believe you were on a desert island, although as the day advances you will be disturbed. This is a popular spot for photo shoots and weddings. When you see it you will understand why.
Now back to the track make sure you go in the right direction or you will be back at the entrance, Echo beach is on your right. There is plenty of shade along this part of the track, the rainforest meets the sea. However during the summer months it can get quite warm so take a bottle of water. Boulders line the track and bush turkey are ever present, running across the path as if to grab your attention. (Don't Feed Them) The track burst out into fabulous views of Palm Beach check out the Youtube video for more pictures. This slideshow was produced so you know what to expect on this walk, most of the photos are in sequence.

Remember at the start of the ocean circuit we took a quick detour at the fork in the path onto Echo Beach, well now we are going to turn left and start climbing the hill. This climb will be rewarded with incredible views of the southern Gold Coast. This section of the walk does require a lot of energy but well worth the effort. Its start with a gradual incline and builds, you work those legs, so hang in there, runners will flash by from time to time, so be aware of this.
The track meanders through dry rain forest and the familiar bush turkeys dart at times across the path. Remember don't offer them any food or you'll find you have an unwanted guest following you. Birdlife is prolific here; keep your eyes open and cameras ready.

Shortly you will have another choice to make about which path to follow, keep bearing right for the upper circuit, if you take the left fork you will miss out on the viewing platform at Tumgun Lookout and those fabulous views of the southern Gold Coast featured in the Youtube video. Keep moving forward take a drink of water and start climbing that hill!

You have arrived at one of the most picturesque locations on the Gold Coast, start snapping those photos! But wait there's still more! After you have immersed yourself in the view continue on your way, it's all down hill now and we still haven't finished with the million dollars views yet, one more to see.

Keep alert or you could miss it especially if you are looking down at your feet watching where you are going.

On the down hill circuit, keep alert for this beautiful view of Burleigh Heads with Surfers Paradise in the distance, you will see it when the track makes its final sharp left turn. This is the other million dollar view I mentioned earlier, it is worth the energy to climb the stairs at the southern entrance to reach this point. However you will be going down these steps around 100, I always mean to count them but usually get distracted on the way up.
Now you have arrived at this lookout you can rest on the bench and reflect on this magnificent place called Burleigh Headland National Park .

There is much to see on the way down, stop every now and then to listen, you will hear the ocean, the Youtube video below about the Bearded Dragon is a great example of the background sounds you can experience in this National Park. Again you will recognise the familiar terrain those giant boulders left over from a volcanic spew thousands of years ago, but that's for another page.
Remember to visit us here at Burleigh Headland National Park, it will be the highlight of your holiday or weekend if you are a local.
See you on my next walk..

See you there!

Keep in mind you are in a National Park, a place where we meet the locals, it's their world! So from a visitor's perspective there are a few things we need to observe.

Don't feed the animals, Bush Turkeys in particular.
Watch out for Bearded Dragons, they may be perched on the boulders watching you!
Watch out for carpet pythons, they are there but seldom seen.
If the steel gates are closed on the ocean circuit it is not safe to walk the track, don't try to get around them.
If you are caught on the upper circuit in a rain storm, walk down carefully the track can experience some run off and the vegetation (leaves) can become slippery.

So be careful!