Burleigh Heads, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burleigh HeadsGold Coast, Queensland |
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A beach in Burleigh Heads with high rise developments further in the background
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 Burleigh Heads
Location in Gold Coast, Australia
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| Population | 10,572 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 1,036/km2 (2,680/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4220 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 10.2 km2 (3.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Gold Coast City | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Burleigh | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | McPherson | ||||||||||||||
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Burleigh Heads is a cool suburb located on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beautiful beaches and a famous headland. In 2021, about 10,572 people called Burleigh Heads home. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
Contents
What is Burleigh Heads Like?
Burleigh Heads has a special cape called Burleigh Head. This cape sticks out into the Coral Sea. It's about 80 meters high and is a well-known landmark. Burleigh Beach starts at this headland and stretches north.
The suburb has two main parts. One part is a narrow area along the coast. This includes the Burleigh Headland itself. The other part goes further inland along Tallebudgera Creek.
Shopping and Local Spots
The heart of the beach area is James Street. Here you can find many cafes, shops, and restaurants. It's a busy and fun place to explore.
Koala Park is a neighborhood in the north-east. It's a quiet residential area next to Tallebudgera Creek. This area is surrounded by beautiful bushland. You can find Burleigh Head National Park here.
West Burleigh is another neighborhood in the south-west. It used to be a small town. Today, it has shopping centers and industrial areas.
How the Land Was Formed
The Burleigh Head area was created millions of years ago. Hot, melted rock from Mount Warning flowed to the coast. This lava formed the headland we see today. These natural processes shaped the land. They also affected the plants and animals that live here.
Wildlife and Nature
Burleigh Headland is an important home for wildlife. It connects coastal forests all the way to the New South Wales border. Burleigh Ridge Park Reserve has many different plants. These plants were used by Indigenous people long ago. You can find Eucalyptus trees, which koalas love. Other animals include flying foxes, gliders, and over 60 types of birds.
A Look Back in Time
Indigenous Australians lived in Burleigh Heads for thousands of years. The Kombumerri clan called this area 'Jellurgal'.
In 1840, a surveyor named James Warner explored the coast. He called the headland Burly Head because it looked so big. Over time, the name changed to Burleigh Head.
The town of Burleigh was officially surveyed in 1871. Land was sold to people starting in 1872. Early reports talked about its amazing beach. People thought Burleigh Heads could become the best seaside spot. By 1885, there were only a few buildings. But over the years, more shops and guest houses were built. People loved coming here for beach activities and camping.
Railways and Growth
The South Coast railway line opened in 1903. It passed through Burleigh Heads. The West Burleigh railway station was an important stop. It was first called Booningba, which means place of the echidna in an Aboriginal language.
Schools and Churches
Burleigh State School opened in 1917 with only 11 students. It grew quickly and moved to a new location in 1935. It was renamed Burleigh Heads State School.
Churches also started to appear. An Anglican church hall was built in 1926. A Methodist church opened in 1928, and a Presbyterian church followed in the same year. These churches played a big part in the community.
The De Luxe Theatre
The De Luxe Theatre was a famous cinema built in 1930. It first showed silent movies. Later, it showed "talkies" (movies with sound) and even Mickey Mouse cartoons! During World War II, it was very popular with soldiers. The cinema was damaged by a cyclone in 1954 and had to be rebuilt. Later, it became the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade with shops and restaurants.
Catholic Church and School
The Infant Saviour Catholic Church was opened in 1935. It was designed in a special Spanish Mission style. The Infant Saviour Primary School opened on its verandahs in 1935. The school closed for a short time during World War II. It reopened in 1953 and later closed in 1973.
Modern Development
The Koala Park residential area was built in the 1960s. In 1977, the Methodist and Presbyterian churches joined to form the Burleigh Heads Uniting Church. A new, larger church building was opened in 1990.
The Burleigh Library opened in 1993. It was updated in 2010.
Who Lives in Burleigh Heads?
In 2021, Burleigh Heads had a population of 10,572 people. Most people (about 69%) were born in Australia. Other people came from New Zealand, England, and Brazil. English is the main language spoken here.
Special Places to See
Burleigh Heads has several places that are important for their history or beauty:
- Burleigh Heads Rotary Classification Pole at Alby Adams Park
- Grave of Emily and Thomas West at George Street Central
- Burleigh Heads Tourist Park and Caretakers Residence
- The Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade (former De Luxe Theatre)
- Burleigh Heads Library Gardens
- Bora Memorial Rock at Jebribillum Bora Park
- West Burleigh Store
- Norfolk Pines along the Burleigh Foreshore
- David Fleay Wildlife Park
Getting Around Burleigh Heads
The Gold Coast Highway runs through Burleigh Heads. It connects the suburb to other coastal towns. West Burleigh Road connects to the Pacific Motorway.
Buses are available through Translink. They connect Burleigh Heads to places like the Gold Coast Airport, Robina, and Broadbeach.
A new tram line, the G:link, is being built. It will connect Burleigh Beach to Broadbeach by late 2025.
Learning in Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads State School is a primary school for kids from Early Childhood to Year 6. It's located on the Lower Gold Coast Highway. The school also has a special education program.
There isn't a high school in Burleigh Heads itself. Students usually go to Miami State High School or Elanora State High School nearby. For Catholic education, Marymount College is in the neighboring suburb of Burleigh Waters.
Places to Visit and Things to Do
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The Burleigh Heads beach faces north-east. It's protected by the Burleigh Head cape. This makes it one of the best places on the Gold Coast for swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing. Many tall Norfolk Island Pines line the beachfront. They were planted by a local family in 1934 and are home to native birds.
Surfing Hotspot
Burleigh Heads is famous for its surf break. Surfers from all over the Gold Coast come here. At the headland, known as "The Point," people often have barbecues and play cricket. You can also watch the surfers from here. On Sunday afternoons, local musicians and fire-twirlers sometimes gather in the park.
Many surfing competitions happen here, like the Stubbies Surf Classic and the Breaka Burleigh Pro.
Sports and Clubs
Burleigh Heads has many sports clubs for different interests:
- Australian rules football: Burleigh Bombers
- Bowls: Burleigh Heads Bowls Club
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Gracie Barra Burleigh Heads
- Cricket: Burleigh Bullsharks
- Golf: Burleigh Golf Club
- Rugby league: Burleigh Bears
- Soccer: Burleigh Bulldogs
- Surf lifesaving: Burleigh Heads SLSC and North Burleigh SLSC
- Tennis: Burleigh Heads Tennis Club
- Field hockey: Hockey Burleigh Club
Other Fun Attractions
- David Fleay Wildlife Park is a great place to see Australian animals.
- Jebribillum Bora Park is a significant cultural site.
- Burleigh Head National Park offers beautiful walking trails and ocean views.
Events in Burleigh Heads
Burleigh Heads State School hosts The Village Markets. This event happens twice a month. It's a great way to see and buy things from local designers and artists.
