Gold Coast - Burleigh - Headland Walk

Do you feel like a change of pace, slowing down a little, but still want to jump in the ocean or go shopping, even have a restaurant meal?  Head to Burleigh beach; easy to reach by bus or car. It lies in the middle of the Gold Coast beaches.  Beach safety is supported by a surf club at either end of the beach and a lifeguard tower in the middle.  A beachfront park with a concrete path wide enough for walkers, joggers, skaters, covers the entire distance.  Shady trees, shelters and barbecue facilities are dotted along the full strip. 

At the southern end of the beach, you will find why Burleigh is so popular with locals and why they would prefer it to remain off the tourist map.  Enjoy shopping in stores that are less touristy and lie in a couple of blocks of laid back village atmosphere, few high rises blot the horizon here.  But this story is about the walk around the headland.   Shops and beach will come later.   The beach has a beautiful national park headland.  Sit on the hill and watch the surf or take the peaceful, level stroll around the headland; over the top if you are feeling more energetic.  The whole walk takes a leisurely 35-40 minutes, no rush.


The best way to do the walk from the headland is to start by walking down the hill, turning left at the traffic lights and walking along the highway.   This first bit along the highway I always find the best section to get over first because the rest of the walk is a peaceful, easy walk along a bitumen pathway through trees alongside a creek and then beside the ocean.   Along the highway you reach Tallebudgera Creek, another popular spot with locals, especially for those with younger children.   To walk around the headland, turn left just before you cross the creek.




Turn left past the old movie theatre arcade. Main
 Burleigh shops straight across road at traffic lights

Tallebudgera Creek. Popular swimming spot on
opposite side to Headland walk. Caravan park to right.

The trail is easy to follow.  Just a short way in you will see the track that leads over the top of the headland.  It is not too steep but the one around the creek is just about level all the way and so very easy to do.  You can hear the chatter of birds all along the path.  It is cool and shaded, relaxing. 



View from pathway



The path is easy to walk, shady and cool



Mouth of creek and ocean

View to ocean

At the end of the path, you come out to the most stunning views along the Gold Coast and the world famous surfing beach of Burleigh Heads.  You will just want to sit and take it all in; ocean, beaches, the highrise Surfers Paradise, people fishing, surfers, joggers.  It is a fantastic spot.  At the bottom of the hill is a coffee shop.  Take away coffees and a seat on the hill is one of the most refreshing activities and one of life's pleasures; makes you feel good with the world.





Shady park and walkways. Surfers Paradise in background



Beach, cafe, reading under a shady tree.  Serenity

It is easy to cruise through the hours and totally unwind.  The walk through the National Park surely helps that.  Follow up with all manner of calming persuits from dawn to dusk.



Stunning sunrise

First light at the headland



Moonrise over ocean

Moonrise over seagull :)

A definite for those whose holiday is speeding too much.  Easy trip to Burleigh to get your spirits back together and ease the pace.  Buses drop you off right next to the beach so access is no trouble; even leave the car back at your hotel.  Fish and chips on the Headland; what a treat.




Views around the Headland

Gold Coast - Tamborine - Gallery Walk

For a special treat.   A short drive from the Gold Coast up to Tamborine has several pleasures.   Firstly the cooler air and roads lined with grassland which changes to rainforest as you get higher.   The country and mountain feel hits you early in the journey; you start to wind down soon after you leave the denseness of the Gold Coast coastal strip.   It is a amazing how quickly concrete city and dense population changes to lush verdant in so few kilometres.  For today's Sunday Drive we have chosen to take you to  'Gallery Walk' and the Mount Tamborine Brewery.


This Sunday Drive offers a huge mix of things to do: wine, beer and/or cheese tasting; hunting out weird wonderful souvenirs; a quiet coffee; dukkah tasting; browsing antique, jewelry, clothing and bric-a-brac stores; a long list for individual indulgences.  Scattered along the street are fairy, fudge, ice cream, book, and celtic stores; even places where you can get readings done.  There's just so much to see and do.


See the link on the right for directions.  Basically, you head north towards Brisbane and take exit 57 from the highway.  Directions are clearly posted.

When you arrive, you will be greeted by an avenue of treats. Shopfronts declaring all manner of tempting invitations to enter.  Parking is plentiful.  The hard part is knowing where to look first.



Scenery along the way

Gallery Walk

Architecture and goodies

Trees make a beautiful backdrop

As you wander through the scenery, you will find that several hours pass quickly.  Once inside you will be greeted by friendly local staff.  They are helpful, smiling and willing to stop and talk to you.  If you need information, just ask. You will be offered tastes, smells, instructions, history.  It all adds to the experience.  We asked one of the jewelry stores if we could photograph some of the items in the shop; all handmade with some spectacular settings and colors.



One of the fabulous diplays



Spectacular, hand-crafted  jewelry pieces



Champion dukkah sampler

Champion beer sampler

All that rummaging and foraging can make you hungry.  All tastes are catered for.  We walked to the end of the street to the Mount Tamborine Brewery which houses a cheese factory and a restaurant.  Lyn tried a bit of dukkah along the way.



Just a few of the tasty local cheeses

We had a feed and returned to the walk.  Just easy browsing.  What a fabulous way to spend a day.  A quick drive back down the mountain to the Gold Coast for a well-earned nanna nap.

Gold Coast - Bangalow Markets

This is a fun trip with interest for all the family. The Bangalow Markets hold surprises and curiousities for everyone. The markets are held on the fourth Sunday of each month. It opens early and slows down around mid afternoon local time.

From the Gold Coast, this is an easy drive through some rolling open countryside. By going south on the Pacific Motorway (M1) which is quick to access, running along the western edge of the Gold Coast, you quickly leave the dense view of concrete and enter some open, green vistas and rolling hills, backed by an ancient volcanic rim. The trip is along dual highway for almost the entire journey.



Some of the scenery along the way

On the left soon after you go over the Queensland-NSW border, there is large service station for a quick toilet or food break. There are many sidetracks you could take but keep going south, turning left at the Bangalow turnoff which is about 6 km south of the Byron Bay turnoff. From here Bangalow is about 1 km. You won't be disappointed. This is a large market placed in a picturesque village where you can explore both market and shops. There is ample parking in the showground right next to the market for just $2; well worth it. There are few parks in the street. Just go down the hill of the main street and you will easily find the entrance to the showground on the left.




Bangalow Markets and Village

'Volunteer' assistants for the street entertainer

Once inside the markets you will be drawn in all directions, wanting to more closely inspect the contents of the stalls; there are a lot of them. Find an usual souvenir as a reminder of your trip; taste a variety of foods; pick up an unusual piece of clothing to match the hippie feel of the day; watch the buskers who create a marvellous backdrop; pick up artwork. The stalls are shaded by some grand trees. Don't forget that the village adjacent to the market is equally fascinating. Cottages and red brick buildings line the street. They contain all manner of goods. It is a pleasure to cruise shop to shop. Stop for a drink or snack, even a beer at the Bangalow Hotel. I doubt you can resist the smells, feels, looks, and sounds of this whole scene. A buzz of a day out.

Gold Coast - Pottsville - Hastings Point - Kingscliff

From the Gold Coast, this is an easy drive through some rolling open countryside. By going south on the Pacific Motorway (M1) which is quick to access, running along the western edge of the Gold Coast, you quickly leave the dense view of concrete and enter some open, green vistas backed by an ancient volcanic rim. The trip is along dual highway for almost the entire journey.

On the left soon after you go over the Queensland-NSW border, there is large service station for a quick toilet or food break. There are many sidetracks you could take but keep going south, turning left at the Pottsville Hastings Point turnoff and you will find Pottsville only a short distance away. You won't be disappointed. If you time your drive for the first or third Sunday of the month, you can have a wander through the Pottsville Markets. If dad and the kids get bored get them a drink and send them across the road to the playground while you browse in peace. The markets start early and wind down at lunch time.

Take the 3 km drive down to Hastings Point where there is a terrific inlet for safe swimming, if you have youngsters, and a short stroll gets you to a surf beach for the older kids. This is a fantastic spot to spend a few hours. There is a barbecue, shelters and a toilet block. The general store is one of those that sells absolutely everything: takeaway, groceries, postal services, alcohol, magazines, bait. The reason for the extensive service is that the store is adjacent to a caravan park. If you do not feel like a swim, you can drive or take the short (about 200 m) stroll up to the headland where there is a wonderful view along the coast, north and south. There are always people fishing from the rocky headland, shores of the river or off the bridge.



General store that sells all you could need, even a beach ball

From the headland looking north

The quiet inlet for calm swimming. Barbecue area to left.

After a relaxing hour or two at Hastings, head north towards Kingscliff. This, too, is only a short distance away. Kingscliff is a larger town that runs along the beachfront with caravan park, hotel, coffee and food outlets. So you could stop here instead of, or as well as, Hastings. Just another relaxing spot on the way. From here it is a pleasant drive back to the Gold Coast. Kids, if with you, should be nice and warn out. If you are just with friend(s) you will have had a great day away.