Walking the Gold Coast Blog

 
The southern end of the Gold Coast feature’s such a variety of landscapes & seascapes. Within minutes you can be in tropical rain forest or viewing the Gold Coast in both directions from an elevated vantage point without paying a cent! Just a little sweat and exercise…. Burleigh Headland National Park has become a very popular walk over the last few years, especially for serious runners and walkers. The Headland features a variety of terranes which excite those who want to get fit or maintain their fitness level. This short video below will give you a glimpse of the view, unfortunately it wasn’t the best day.

Southern Entrance - Goodwin Tce

So watch out for them because they come up quick and flash passed before you can turn around!

The best of both worlds!

A walk around the Headland will give you the best of both worlds, a good workout on the upper circuit even if you a taking your time. The lower circuit is a much gentler on the body and the best one to take if you are not up to pushing yourself. Remember to take a bottle of water with you.

Northern Entrance at Tallebudgera Creek

The Southern entrance on the Tallebudgera Creek side features a gradual incline for the upper circuit.

Beach Circuit

Following the track from the southern entrance you will have breathtaking Tallebudgera Creek on your right and eventually come to a fork in the road, continue on this track you will hug the Headland and follow the ocean circuit. A nice walk featuring plenty of shade and not too taxing on the body.

Fork in the track, upper circuit or beach circuit

There are unique rock formations to see and you will be entering a dry forest. On a quiet day you may see frilled lizards perched on top of boulders and bush turkeys eagerly scratching the ground. The track then bursts out into a spectacular

Echo Beach on your right, with views of Tallebudgera Creek

view on your right of Tallebudgera Creek’s mouth and Palm Beach. As you continue to follow the track around the hill you will be confronted by breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean black basalt rock formations with crashing waves and my favourite…. Pandanus trees strategically

Burleigh....with pandanus trees hugging the shoreline

placed as if by some well thought out landscaping plan, embrace the shoreline and grip tightly to the sides of the hill. Turn right on the cross road, you go down onto Echo Beach a nice secluded spot which is beautiful earlier in the day but you will be disturb as the day advances. This is a favourite spot for photo shoots.

Upper circuit

1. Turn left at the fork and start to climb to see the most amazing view of the southern Gold Coast. The track meanders around and you will eventually have another choice, you can keep bearing right and go for that fabulous view .
   

   Fabulous view of the southern Gold Coast, well worth the hike

   This does require a lot of energy but well worth the climb you will be not be disappointed! Tumgun lookout is world class with amazing views of Palm Beach, Tallebudgera Creek and the Gold Coast hinterland .

Beautiful Burleigh Heads, with Surfers Paradise in the distance

1. You may decide to take the left fork and hug the western aspect of Burleigh Headland National Park this is a path less travelled it features more of the dry forest and backs onto residential homes. Very picturesque and more likely to encounter wildlife….

 All paths lead to the northern entrance and beautiful Burleigh Heads, at the northern entrance you will have to climb down around one hundred steps; I started to count them but got distracted, or go up depending on which entrance you start.

Time for breakfast!

  After you have completed your walk, why not visit the many cafés at beautiful Burleigh Heads, it’s just a short walk down the hill towards the shopping centre. On the way you will be able to enjoy the beach.  My favourite spot for breakfast is ‘The Pantry’ great ‘Bircher Muesli ‘.

Have a great breakfast at Burleigh, lots of Cafes

All I can say is… people come from all over the world to walk this walk and it’s on our doorstep!

See you on my next walk….