Burleigh Heads National Park

The headland at Burleigh Heads is a major landmark for nature enthusiasts, walkers and anyone interested in indigenous culture. From your accommodation at Gemini Court you will be rewarded with rainforest walks through the park, superb ocean views from the rocky foreshore pathway and the chance to see whales in winter and spring as they make their way first north then south during the birthing season.

The wild, natural beauty of the headland is due to a combination of rainforest, eucalypt forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, mangrove trees, rocky formations and sheltered beaches. Formed millions of years ago from volcanic eruptions in the Mount Warning area, the cooling of the lava resulted in huge columns and boulders that can be seen today and remain part of local indigenous legends. This natural beauty grows continues across Australia's Green Cauldron that stretches from Burleigh Heads to Byron Bay. There are many ways to experience this remarkable part of Australia and Gemini Court's tour desk can point you in the right direction.

Within the national park are two circuits to choose from. The Ocean view circuit is 1.2km one-way and takes around 30 minutes. Don't leave the Coast without walking this one. You can start out from the carpark at Burleigh headland or from the southern entrance at Tallebudgera Creek near the QPWS Burleigh Head Information Centre.

This safe and easy track skirts a beautiful stretch of the river teeming with bird and fish life, past Sandy Cove and Echo Beach and beneath the giant basalt columns that form Burleigh headland.

Expect stunning views up and down the Coast on one side and rainforest remnants of Burleigh National Park on the other. Return along the same path back or stretch your stamina a little more on the rainforest circuit.

The Rainforest circuit is 2.3km return and takes around 45 minutes. From Burleigh headland, this track heads up into the rainforest of Burleigh National Park. This one will stretch the calves in sections but the views from Tumgun Lookout will make it all worthwhile. Catch your breath and glimpse whales during the migration season.

The mangroves and the Burleigh Heads National Park represent an oasis of wildlife right in the middle of the city. On the headland, it is not unusual to find brush turkeys, brahminy kites, sea eagles and a variety of fruit-eating birds. Even a few koalas remain in the area.