Burleigh Head National Park, Gold Coast: Two Entrances, Two Walks and a Daylight-Only Rule (QLD)

Burleigh Head National Park has two entrances, a northern one at the end of Goodwin Terrace and a southern one just north of Tallebudgera Creek, and two main walks: the 1.2 km Oceanview track and the 2.3 km Rainforest circuit. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service says to walk in daylight hours only. This guide uses the service’s own pages for the park, checked on Saturday 7 November 2026, and there were no park alerts at that time.

Where are the entrances to Burleigh Head National Park?

The service’s visiting safely page describes the park as 90 kilometres south of Brisbane and gives directions from the M1 (Pacific Motorway).

Coming from	M1 exit	Then
Brisbane and beyond (southbound)	Exit 89, Tallebudgera Creek Road / West Burleigh Road	Follow West Burleigh Road to the Gold Coast Highway and turn right towards Burleigh Heads
New South Wales border or southern Gold Coast (northbound)	Exit 92, Palm Beach Avenue	At the Gold Coast Highway, turn left towards Burleigh Heads

For the northern entrance, the page says to turn off the Gold Coast Highway onto Goodwin Terrace, and the car park is at the end of Goodwin Terrace. For the southern entrance, it says to use the traffic lights immediately north of Tallebudgera Creek: turn left off the highway if you are southbound, or right if you are northbound. The page also advises checking live updates on the Queensland Traffic website for traffic or roadworks.

What does the park say about parking?

The park pages mention a car park at the end of Goodwin Terrace and a car park near the southern entrance, which has toilets managed by the Gold Coast City Council. They do not give a number of spaces or a parking fee, so check the signs at the car park. The only fees the park page mentions are permits for commercial activities and organised events.

If you would rather park in the village, our guide to the Alex Black car park in Burleigh Heads has the council’s rates and hours. Our Tallebudgera Creek car park guide covers the creek on the southern side of the headland.

How long are the walks?

The service’s things to do page describes two graded walks:

Walk	Grade	Distance	Time	Wheelchairs
Oceanview track	2	1.2 km one-way	About 30 minutes	Accessible with assistance
Rainforest circuit	3	2.3 km return	About 45 minutes	Not suitable, because it includes steps

The Oceanview track follows the coastline around the rocky headland from Tallebudgera Creek to the southern edge of Burleigh Heads township. The service lists the basalt columns and a break by the creek at Echo Beach as highlights, and says you can return by the same path or take the Rainforest circuit and Tumgun Lookout. The Rainforest circuit is an easy grade for most of the way, with a steep section near Tumgun Lookout, which the service says is a vantage point for spotting humpback whales during their winter and spring migration. Access to Echo Beach is by designated stairways only.

When does the Oceanview track close?

Rockfalls continue to occur in the park, according to the service. The section of the Oceanview track that is most vulnerable to boulder falls is closed when high winds, high rainfall, low temperature or fire exist or are expected, and the service may also close a section before, during and after severe weather. Check the park alerts before you go.

Access to the cliff line boulder fields, including Cannon Rock, and the steep slopes between the Oceanview track and the boulder fields is prohibited, and penalties apply. The service also says that climbing, scrambling or jumping on boulders is prohibited.

What are the rules for pets, bikes and camping?

Domestic animals are not permitted in Burleigh Head National Park, and camping is not permitted. Lighting fires is prohibited. Bicycles, including e-bikes and e-scooters, should be left at the park entrance, where there are bike racks, because bicycles are not allowed on paths within the national park. Take your rubbish with you, keep to the constructed tracks and do not leave food unattended or feed animals.

The service’s safety advice is to wear a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes with good grip, to carry enough drinking water, to walk with one or more friends and to supervise children at all times. A picnic area and toilets are near the northern entrance along Goodwin Terrace.

What is there to see?

The service says the 27.6 hectare park has rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, creeks, rocky foreshore and beaches. Visitors may see humpback whales in winter and spring, white-bellied sea-eagles, and birdwing butterflies feeding in mid-summer. The service describes it as the only Gold Coast rocky headland that remains substantially in its natural state, and as one of the most visited parks in the region.

Can I get there without a car?

The park pages do not describe public transport. The G:link tram stops at Burleigh Heads station, and our G:link station guide lists the buses at each station. Use the Translink journey planner for your own trip, and see the bus route changes guide if you are coming from Tweed Heads.

Sources

• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service — Visiting Burleigh Head safely (checked 7 November 2026)
• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service — Burleigh Head National Park: things to do
• Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service — About Burleigh Head

Featured image: Burleigh Head National Park, March 2017 (photo: Sam Mulherin / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)

OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service or the Queensland Government. Check the park alerts before you go, as tracks can close at short notice.