BURLEIGH HEADS NATIONAL PARK AND JELLURGAL CULTURAL CENTRE

Welcome to Burleigh Heads National Park

Welcome to the pristine surrounds of Burleigh Heads National Park – a wild slice of wilderness in the cosmopolitan heart of the beautiful Gold Coast.

The 27 hectares of Burleigh Heads National Park features a diverse range of environments to explore, including forests, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath, mangroves, creeks, rocky foreshores and beaches.

The Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh speaking region have inhabited this land for thousands of years. According to their legends, this area was once a flat and unbroken stretch of sand dunes, before it was transformed into its present rocky form by the Creator Spirit, Jabreen.

According to science, this rocky natural headland was formed between 20 and 23 million years ago, when the flow of molten lava from several eruptions in the Mount Warning area reached the coastline, and a process of slow cooling and gradual erosion from the elements shaped the landscape surrounding us today.

Join us for guided walk along the peaceful rocky foreshore of this natural headland, known to its First Nation inhabitants as Jellurgal, or ‘Dreaming Mountain’.

This walk commences at the southern end of the Oceanview Track, hugging the rocky coastline from the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek to the crashing surf breaks of Burleigh Headland. Along the way, you’ll pass the tranquil rocky shores of Echo Beach, and ancient volcanic columns that appear to tumble into the ocean in dramatic fashion. Once you reach Burleigh Headland and the northern entrance of the track, you can either retrace your steps back to where you started, or take a detour along part or all of the Rainforest Circuit, offering a totally different perspective of this protected natural environment. Please refer to the Accessibility section at the end of this tour to determine the most appropriate path for your unique needs.

The Oceanview Track

At the southern entrance of the Oceanview Track, just off the Gold Coast Highway, step through a swinging gate and enter another realm. Take a deep breath and soak your senses in the tranquil surrounds of Burleigh Heads National Park. You are about to embark on a relatively easy 1.2-kilometre walk (one-way) that skirts the coastline along the rocky headland. Please allow approximately 30 minutes (one-way) to complete this section of the walk.

As you make your way along the path, you’ll come across a series of path entries and exits to your right, with stairs leading down to the rocky foreshore of Echo Beach. On warmer days, these path diversions offer the opportunity for a refreshing dip or play in the calm, clear waters of Tallebudgera Creek. Or continue on beneath a closed canopy of intertwined littoral (or seaside) rainforest. Hear the wind rustling through the leaves, and inhale the subtle damp scent of nearby mangroves.

As you emerge from the canopy’s covering, the space around you opens up as you approach the creek’s mouth, where tidal flows lead to ocean. Cool sea breezes tinged with the sweet, salty scent of the ocean mix with the distant sound of rolling surf. To your right, a man-made rock wall separates the creek from Tallebudgera Beach further to the south. Soon you’ll re-enter the protective covering of the canopy, where greyish-brown moss-covered rocks line the left-hand side of the path.

As you approach the eastern end of the headland, the vegetation thins out, and the vastness of the open ocean unfurls in front of you. A steep slope of dark basalt boulders tumbles from the path’s edge towards the ocean - remnants of ancient volcanic lava flows. The exposed seaward slopes sprout with pandanus groves, with spikey, palm-like leaves of vibrant green.

Burleigh Headland

Curving left towards the end of Burleigh Headland, the roaring sound of the surf comes into full affect. Straight ahead in the distance, the silhouette of the Gold Coast city skyline and golden coastline fills the horizon. Before you, six-sided columns of hard basalt tumble and slide into the sea, in a lasting legacy to ancient volcanic eruptions and the effects of erosion. This is a perfect spot to take a moment to ponder the past, and the profound power of Mother Nature.

According to the Dreaming stories of the Yugambeh language people, this dramatic rocky outcrop was brought into being by the giant Creator Spirit known as Jabreen. Interpretive signage found near the headland shares the legend. One day, Jabreen’s pathway led him to the ocean beach, where he took a long swim to the horizon and back. Emerging from the water, he rose up to his towering full height and raised his arms skyward. As he did, the flat ground rose and followed his hand upwards to the level of his fingertips, forming the headland, with his rocky fingers of basalt columns pointing seaward.

Through the effects of wind and rain over millions of years, the softer rocks have gradually eroded, leaving only the hard basalt boulders to protect the rocky headland habitat.

Follow the path to the finish of the Oceanview Track. At its northern end you’ll find a car park and toilet facilities, as well as the entrance to the 460-metre Burleigh Link Track, which connects with the Rainforest Circuit. Here you can choose to retrace your steps along the Oceanview Track back to your starting point, or take a slightly more demanding detour to lookouts, and through the lush vegetation along the 2.3-kilometre Rainforest Circuit.

The Rainforest Circuit

To explore the Rainforest Circuit, take the Burleigh Link Track, which connects with the northern end of the Oceanview Track. After ascending some steep stairs, you’ll come to the first of two lookouts. The view from left to right encompasses the headland of Little Burleigh, Nobby Beach and South Stradbroke Island, with the Tamborine plateau in the distance. In the foreground, a sparkling aqua ocean rolls with glistening white-capped waves, which crash into the basalt boulders that stand as a fortress against the elements.

Where the Burleigh Link Track forms a T-section with the Rainforest Circuit, take a left to head towards Tumgun Lookout. As you enter deeper into the rainforest, you’ll feel the humidity intensifying amidst the thicker vegetation. The nutrient-rich dark soils derived from basalt provide the perfect growing conditions for a range of rare plant species. Listen out for the rustlings of male brush-turkeys, as they go about their business constructing large, leafy mounds to serve as nests. Many species of birds may also be heard overhead, feasting on the plentiful rainforest fruits in the treetops. This rainforest also provides a protective environment for the elusive Richmond birdwing butterfly, which holds special spiritual and cultural meaning to the land’s traditional custodians.

Further on, Tumgun Lookout provides a stunning outlook to the south, overlooking Coolangatta, Greenmount headland, Kirra, Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creek. It also serves as a prime vantage point for spotting humpback whales in the Winter and Spring, during their seasonal migration to warmer waters.

A little further on you’ll come to a fork in the trail. Take the path to the left to reconnect with the Oceanview Track near the southern entrance where you entered the park, or take the path to the right to continue along the Rainforest Circuit, which leads back to the northern end of the Oceanview Track.

Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Walkabout Tours

Journey back in time and immerse yourself in First Nations culture and the dreaming stories of this sacred site, at the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

The centre is conveniently located within a few steps of the southern entrance of Burleigh Heads National Park, beside the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek.

A boardwalk and gently trickling artificial creek run through the heart of the centre, with displays and story boards along its length. These displays feature artefacts and interpretive signage that offer insights into the stories and culture of the Yugambeh speaking people, the traditional custodians of the land. Examples of artifacts include dilly bags and baskets, tools, totems, boomerangs, didgeridoos and other instruments of traditional daily life, along with story boards sharing historical insights from prominent Indigenous inhabitants of the area. While the displays are very visual, staff are on hand to answer any questions. The Centre also boasts an Aboriginal Art Gallery, and a gift shop where you can purchase authentic Australian souvenirs. The centre is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to noon Saturdays, with free admission.

For an additional fee, staff also offer guided Walkabout Tours along the Oceanview Track of Burleigh Heads National Park on selected weekdays. These engaging tours offer valuable insights into the First Nations history and culture of the area. The tour begins with an audio-visual presentation at the Centre, followed by a guided walking tour of the Oceanview Track, sharing the Dreaming stories of creation and visiting the many culturally significant sites of Jellurgal – the ‘Dreaming Mountain’. This tour may be a great option for visitors seeking additional audio commentary about the area, from the perspective of its traditional custodians, who’ve developed a deep connection with this land over thousands of years.

Accessibility

For your safety, please visit Burleigh Heads National Park during daylight hours, and stick to the formed walking tracks. Access is prohibited to the cliff line boulder field and the steep slopes leading to it from the Oceanview Track, due to the risk of rockfall. Sections of the track may also be closed during periods of increased risk, such as during inclement weather events.

The Oceanview Track Is classified as a Grade 2 trail, with a hardened surface, gentle hill sections and occasional steps. For hikers who are blind or have low vision, this track offers the most defined walking path, with a contrasting surface and a raised edging along most of the inner border of the path. It also caters for wheelchair assisted access. Unfortunately, the other tracks throughout the park are not wheelchair accessible.

The Rainforest Circuit is 2.3-kilometre return and classified as a Grade 3 track, with a steep section in the middle near Tumgun Lookout which involves ascending a long series of stairs. Wooden handrails are provided in places. Please allow an additional 45 minutes walking time to complete the full circuit.

Certified guide, hearing and assistance dogs are permitted in Queensland’s national parks and forests. Dogs must wear an identifying coat or harness, and the approved badge or tag.

The Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre is wheelchair and pram friendly, with a side access ramp for ease of entry. There is a bus stop within a short walking distance of the cultural centre and southern entrance of the Oceanview Track. For journey planning, please visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30. Accessible toilets are also located near this entrance.

The Jellurgal Walkabout Tour traverses the Oceanview Track for a distance of 1.2 kilometres one-way. Limited access is possible for wheelchair users with assistance.