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

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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

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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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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

Day 1

Morning

A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

Afternoon

A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

Evening

A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

Day 2

Morning

An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

Afternoon

Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

Evening

The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

Day 3

Morning

A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

Afternoon

A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

Evening

A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

Getting there

Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.