19 of the best Burleigh Heads accommodation picks

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Score instant access to the Gold Coast’s trendiest bar and dining scene with one of the best Burleigh Heads accommodations.

Hip fashion and homeware boutiques, sensational coffee and exceptional nightlife make Burleigh Heads one of the Gold Coast’s must-discover locales. The best way to navigate things? Lock in Burleigh Heads accommodation now before global crowds wise up and everything’s snapped up all year round. From self-contained apartments and stunning Airbnbs, to beachside caravanning and luxury retreats, every option promises prime real estate in pure paradise.

1. The Seaport Burleigh Airbnb

Price: $$$

the living room interior at The Seaport Burleigh Airbnb
The interior features a dash of coastal elegance.

A beautifully decorated split-level apartment that sleeps up to four guests, The Seaport Burleigh is a standout Airbnb in Burleigh Heads. Featuring open-plan living and dining, the breezy space is dotted with coastal interiors and a warm colour palette, so you’ll be soothed from the moment you step inside. The bedrooms are particularly luxe, boasting King Koil mattresses, stonewash cotton bedding, block-out curtains and in-built storage. Inside the bathrooms, you’ll find fancy body and hair products. The attention to detail is a winning formula.

Address: Along Connor Street, Burleigh Heads

2. Burleigh Beach Tower

Price: $$-$$$

the living room interior with beach views at Burleigh Beach Tower
A blissful getaway awaits.

Before you fall for its ridiculously convenient beachfront location, all within a two-minute stroll to James Street’s epic shops and eateries, Burleigh Beach Tower ’s ‘70s nostalgia branding and hippy sunshine artwork splashed across its Gold Coast Highway-facing façade, brings smiles to lips swiftly.

Nope, there’s not an inch of marble in sight, but you’ll sink right into the Burleigh Heads accommodation’s one or two-bedroom self-contained apartments, offering views right across the coastline and up to Surfers and Broadbeach.

Each apartment features all the creature comforts families crave, just make sure you go for the renovated options as the originals do indeed date back to the retro beach era. Expect balconies or patios, basic, clean bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, TVs, an outdoor swimming pool and spa, a tennis court, a gym, and free parking.

Address: 52 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

3. Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh

Price: $$$

a look inside one of the rooms at Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh
You’ll be transported to the beach the moment you exit the door.

Located right opposite the surf on a highly sought-after strip of real estate the Bujerum Apartments on Burleigh  is a stellar holiday pick. With just five apartments up for grabs, the Burleigh Heads accommodation caters to families mostly, offering four two-bedroom stays and one three-bedroom penthouse.

The vibe is endlessly coastal and not just due to the lashings of light every apartment is treated to. Interiors span warm timber and pops of blue, creating a cooling oasis when you’re not outside sunning yourself.

There are no on-site facilities as it’s a renovated walk-up originally built in the 1930s but it’s arguably the best spot in town with Burleigh’s best shops, eateries and bars within walking distance.

Address: 26 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

4. Solnamara Beachfront Apartments

Price: $$$

an aerial view of the Solnamara Beachfront Apartments
Sleep right by the ocean at Solnamara Beachfront Apartments.

Showcasing the suburb’s staggering beauty in style, Solnamara Beachfront Apartments  is located on the northern end of Burleigh Heads so you get a great view of Burleigh Hill and the Surfers Paradise skyline.

Offering Burleigh Heads accommodation in the way of two and three-bedroom configurations across 10 levels, the rooms feature large balconies with exceptional vantage points over the ocean.

Fully equipped kitchens, ensuite bathrooms and laundry facilities can be found inside and there’s an outdoor swimming pool, positioned on The Esplanade side, to extend your adventures under the sun even further.

Address: 202 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

5. Burleigh Beach Tourist Park

Price: $-$$

a couple sitting outside a campervan at Burleigh Beach Tourist Park
The park is a winner for budget-conscious families. (Image: Destination Gold Coast)

Soak up the suburb’s natural splendour at Burleigh Beach Tourist Park , a stone’s throw from all the cafes and boutiques and housing an impressive range of camping options and self-contained cabins. Catering for tents, campervans, caravans, and camper trailers via powered sites and a dump point, camp kitchen, laundry facilitates and barbecues, the Burleigh Heads accommodation is a winner for budget-conscious families keen for an active escape.

The most comfortable digs come in the shape of two-bedroom cabins, each fitted with private patios and barbecues, open-plan living and dining, a fully functioning kitchen, and TVs. There’s also a games room and on-site kiosk to be explored.

Address: 36 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

6. 2nd Avenue Beachside Apartments

Price: $$$

Two swimming pools, a tennis court, two spas, a steam room and barbecue facilities — 2nd Avenue Beachside Apartments  is a gem of a stay favoured by families. Location-wise, you’re also within a few steps from the sand and surf so there’s plenty of activity to soak up every day.

Choose from various one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments furnished with the basics every beach escape demands. Think private balconies overlooking the ocean, fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi and laundry facilities.

Address: 3 Second Avenue, Burleigh Heads

7. Ambience on Burleigh Beach

Price: $$$

the dining area at Ambience on Burleigh Beach
Each accommodation is equipped with spacious living and dining spaces.

Keen to keep the family sorted but craving a little luxe? Ambience on Burleigh Beach ’s two contemporary towers offer self-contained apartments that take a little from column A and a little from column B.

The Burleigh Heads accommodation houses one, two and three-bedroom stays, each featuring sizable lounges (don’t you hate it when hotel couches are tiny?), ocean views, fully equipped kitchens, dining tables, separate baths and showers, flat-screen TVs, tons of natural light and private balconies.

The feel is minimalist whereas the 25-metre pool downstairs is extra. Sun lounges, umbrellas, barbecues, an outdoor dining space, landscaped gardens, a sauna, a spa, and a steam room add the glamour, plus there’s a gym on-site to help you stay match fit. You’re also a short walk from Burleigh’s hottest entertainment and eateries.

Address: 2-14 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

8. Boardwalk Burleigh Beach

Price: $$$

Take your pick from one and two-bedroom apartments as well as an extremely roomy three-bedroom stay at Boardwalk Burleigh Beach . Clean and contemporary, the vibe is great for groups and families looking for an affordable escape, and you’re right across the road from the beach.

You’ll find modern facilities at this Burleigh Heads accommodation, including a heated outdoor swimming pool and spa, barbecue area, yoga terrace and gym. Plus, there’s underground parking, which is a massive plus in this well-trodden corner of the ever-booming Gold Coast.

Address: 1877-1879 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

9. Sandbar Burleigh

Price: $$$-$$$$

the living room overlooking the beach at Sandbar Burleigh
Sandbar Burleigh is just a short walk from the beach.

A little more upmarket than the suburb’s usual beachfront apartment suspects, Sandbar Burleigh offers elegant spaces just a short walk from the thick of the action. While it’s a little quieter, it’s also a little swisher, with each one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment flowing with luxe, coastal-inspired furnishings and modern kitchens.

The ocean view picks are obviously coveted so reserve your stay nice and early. You’ll be thankful for the on-site lap pool, fitness centre, covered barbecue space, yoga deck and lounge area also found on-site.

Address: 1969 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

10. Outrigger Burleigh

Price: $$

Just a short drive from the Burleigh buzz is an affordable family-friendly spot within walking distance to the beach. Tribes with toddlers will appreciate the Outrigger Burleigh ’s catering-to-all-ages swimming pools, featuring an itty bitty one designed specifically for tiny tots. Offering clean studio-style rooms that sleep up to five guests, the accommodation is a long-serving oasis for families, located across the road from a Coles and a Dan Murphy’s, and a two-minute walk from kids’ playgrounds and patrolled surf.

The smallest rooms feature balconies or courtyards, bar fridges, separate dining areas and tea and coffee-making facilities, while the larger options include added lounge areas. In addition to the kiddy pool, there’s a regular-sized heated one plus a spa, underground parking, and free wi-fi to soak up as you sit back and do a whole lot of nothing.

Address: 2007 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

11. The Coconut Crib

Price: $$$

Malibu Barbie goes full Gold Coast at The Coconut Crib , an Airbnb in Burleigh Heads that’s freckled with 50 shades of pink and a healthy dose of tropical palms. We’re talking the fridge, the old school rotary phone, a neon sign reading ‘Rose all Day’, the blinds, the plant pots, the bathroom amenities, the bed sheets… it’s all fairy floss pink, spliced with palm-printed cushions and wallpaper, and it’s glorious.

The two-bedroom unit, offering ocean views from a narrow balcony, is the perfect home for a girls’ weekend away or family getaway and you’re a short walk away from the best of Burleigh’s nightlife too. The flat itself features a fully equipped kitchen, spacious lounge area and open-plan dining, plus there’s a swimming pool, enclosed spa, sauna, and gym to get lost in.

Address: Along Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

12. Burleigh Gold Coast Motel

Price: $

a self-contained apartment at Burleigh Gold Coast Motel
Stay in squeaky clean self-contained apartments.

You’ll struggle to find a more affordable four-walled lodging (no tents here) than Burleigh Gold Coast Motel , offering Burleigh Heads accommodation at the suburb’s northern end, close to the very cool suburb of Miami. And it’s truly a gem because most of the rooms are more modern than many of the self-contained apartments on the market.

Double, Triple, Quad and Family rooms are available, each fitted with bar fridges, microwaves, TVs, all linens, ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning, there’s free wi-fi, a swimming pool and coin-operated laundry facilities. Miami is jumping with excellent bars so you’re only a couple of minutes’ walk from hydration elation, plus the dining scene rivals Burleigh’s so finding a decent feed is effortless.

Address: 1908-1910 Gold Coast Highway, Miami

13. Swell Resort Burleigh Beach

Price: $$

Located right on the fringe of Burleigh Heads’ swarm of bars, restaurants, and stores, Swell Resort Burleigh Beach  is a great option for families and groups. Offering one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments, the Burleigh Heads accommodation is basic but extremely comfortable and convenient.

Generous living rooms, dining tables, full kitchens, cushy king or queen beds, free wi-fi, laundry facilities and carpeted floors feature throughout the apartment block, plus there’s a heated magnesium swimming pool, heated spa, gym, tennis court, barbecue facilities, undercover outdoor dining space, and an on-site lash and brow bar to keep holidaymakers looking their finest.

Address: 1 Ocean Street, Burleigh Heads

14. Gemini Court Holiday Apartments

Price: $$$

a bedroom with beach view at Gemini Court Holiday Apartments
The bedroom windows boast postcard-worthy views.

If you don’t mind being a little further back from the sand, Gemini Court Holiday Apartments  offers incredible ocean views from its multi-bedroom stays, perched up high on Burleigh Headland and right next door to Burleigh Head National Park.

The self-contained Burleigh Head accommodation caters for singles, couples, families, and groups, providing plenty of space in each of its offerings, balconies to catch the sun sink of an afternoon, fully equipped kitchens with dishwashers, flat-screen TVs, and cushy beds.

They’re styled more homely than trendy, creating warm sanctuaries you’ll struggle to drift away from. When you do, there’s a heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, barbecues, and a tennis court on-site, plus you’re still within walking distance from the action.

Address: 45 Hayle Street, Burleigh Heads

15. Southern Cross Beachfront Holiday Apartments

Price: $$-$$$

a bedroom with beach view at Southern Cross Beachfront Holiday Apartments
The two-bedroom stay suits those who can’t get enough of the beach.

A hit with families, Southern Cross Beachfront Holiday Apartments ’ two-bedroom stays provide simple yet comfortable lodgings across the road from the beach. The star of the show is the outdoor swimming pool, located right off The Esplanade where envious onlookers stroll right on past, and sun lounges keep guests on show for hours.

The rooms themselves feature private balconies and basic amenities including full kitchens, dining tables, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Plus, there’s a tennis court if getting active is part of your holiday itinerary.

Address: 114-124 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

16. Luana Airbnb

Price: $$$$$

the pool at Luana Airbnb
Cool off in the outdoor pool.

A spectacular home away from home within a short walk from James Street’s hip boutiques and eateries, Luana  is a Burleigh Heads Airbnb that will undoubtedly take your breath away.

Sleeping up to eight guests, the four-bedroom home is a British Colonial-style masterpiece, complete with lush greenery and spacious gardens.

The kitchen features a butler’s pantry (it’s that kind of lavish), the outdoor dining space features a bar fridge, and there’s even a cinema room.

The outdoor pool is begging to be lounged around, plus there’s a fire pit zone fitted with comfy seating, however, every inch of this exceptional Burleigh Heads accommodation is worthy of an Instagram Story or few.

Address: Along Acanthus Avenue, Burleigh Heads

17. Cashelmara Beachfront Apartments

Price: $$$

Cashelmara Beachfront Apartments.
Escape to the beach that’s right next to Cashelmara Beachfront Apartments.

A retro gem refurbished with contemporary-cool rooms, Cashelmara Beachfront Apartments  offers comfortable Burleigh Heads accommodation.

And the best bit? If your beach escape is smashed with three consistent days of rain, the team give you a free night the next time you visit. A fabulous initiative, we say.

Pick from one of 16 two- or three-bedroom apartments dressed in rattan furnishings and comfy couches, while fully equipped kitchens and spacious living areas cater to all the holiday nothingness you and your clan are craving.

Address: 170 The Esplanade, Burleigh Heads

18. La Pacifique Holiday Apartments

Price: $$-$$$

A long-standing stay on the most scenic strip in the suburb, La Pacifique Holiday Apartments  is a Burleigh Heads accommodation institution. While the self-contained units are basic, they sort all your creature comforts. Select either a two- or three-bedroom apartment fitted with separate living and dining spaces and fully equipped kitchens while on-site facilities include a heated outdoor pool and spa, a gym and a tennis court.

Address: 60 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

19. Crystal Pacific

Price: $$$

the bed at at Crystal Pacific Gold Coast
Find stylish boho-chic rooms.

While it’s not technically Burleigh, Crystal Pacific  is a stand-out stay within a five-minute drive from Burleigh Heads so if you’ve got a set of wheels, it’s well worth considering. It’s awash with creams, rattan and earthy textures, working stylishly to unwind you from the moment you arrive.

All six of the two-bedroom apartments feature top-floor queen bedrooms and double-bunk (sleeping three people) bedrooms with the queen opening to a wooden deck fitted with an extraordinary, suspended daybed. The open-plan lounge and dining area is dotted with books, a massive TV, and throw cushions for days, the kitchen is fully equipped and there’s a private courtyard with a barbecue and dining setting.

A mineral magnesium pool is begging to be played in, surrounded by sun lounges and fringed umbrellas, plus you’re a short stroll from Tallebudgera Creek, Tallebudgera Surf Club and Custard Canteen, selling up famed Portuguese tarts and legendary caffeine.

Address: 1445 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.