There’s a different feeling once you start heading south on the Gold Coast.
The high-rises slowly give way to headlands, creeks, long stretches of beach and those laid-back coastal neighbourhoods where grabbing a coffee and seeing where the day takes you seems like a perfectly good plan.
And that’s one of the things we love about staying at Gemini Court Holiday Apartments in Burleigh Heads.
You can wake up overlooking the ocean, enjoy everything Burleigh has to offer, then head south and discover an entirely different side of the Gold Coast.
From rainforest walks and calm swimming spots to wildlife, famous surf breaks, markets and little coastal communities, there’s plenty waiting to be explored.
Start right here in Burleigh Heads
You don’t have to go very far to start exploring.
Just moments from Gemini Court Holiday Apartments you’ll find Burleigh Head National Park, where rainforest meets the ocean.
The 1.2km Oceanview Track wraps around the headland towards Tallebudgera Creek, while the 2.3km Rainforest Circuit climbs through subtropical vegetation to Tumgun Lookout. During winter and spring, the lookouts can also be great places to watch for migrating humpback whales. Parks and Forests
Take the walk quickly if you like.
Or don’t.
Stopping every few minutes to take in the view is kind of the point.
You can find more nearby inspiration in Gemini Court’s own guide to Burleigh Heads and the surrounding area.
Cool off at Tallebudgera Creek
Come around the southern side of the headland and you’ll find one of the Gold Coast’s favourite natural swimming spots.
Tallebudgera Creek is popular for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing and simple family picnics beside the water. With Burleigh Head National Park on one side and Palm Beach on the other, it’s one of those places where you can easily lose a few hours without trying very hard. Experience Gold Coast
For another side of the area, the Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park has a relaxed 900-metre boardwalk winding through mangroves and tidal habitat. Parks and Forests
Discover the stories of Jellurgal
At the base of Burleigh Head National Park sits Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Gold Coast’s only dedicated Aboriginal cultural centre and one that is owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community. Jellurgal Cultural Experiences
Visitors can explore cultural displays, Aboriginal artwork and artefacts, or join guided experiences that share the stories and history connected to the headland and surrounding Country.
Entry to the centre itself is free, making it another worthwhile addition to a day exploring Burleigh and Tallebudgera. Discover Jellurgal Cultural Experiences
Spend a day around Currumbin
Keep heading south and Currumbin gives you plenty of options.
Currumbin Creek is ideal for a paddle, swim or kayak, while Currumbin Beach and The Alley are favourites with surfers and families. Head inland and the scenery changes surprisingly quickly.
The Currumbin Rock Pools are only around 15 minutes from the southern beaches, offering freshwater swimming and shady picnic areas surrounded by the greenery of Currumbin Valley. Experience Gold Coast
Then there’s Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to more than 1,000 animals across 27 hectares, along with wildlife shows, keeper talks and the famous lorikeet feeding. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
It’s one of those attractions that works just as well for adults as it does for kids.
Meet more local wildlife at David Fleay
Closer to Burleigh, David Fleay Wildlife Park offers a quieter wildlife experience among rainforest, wetlands and eucalypt forest.
Boardwalks wind through natural habitats where visitors can see native Australian wildlife including koalas, dingoes, wallabies, crocodiles and an impressive variety of birdlife. Ranger talks add another layer to the experience and focus heavily on conservation and Australia’s native species. Parks and Forests
It’s easy to overlook this one when planning a Gold Coast holiday, which is probably exactly why it’s worth discovering.
Keep going to Kirra and Coolangatta
Eventually you’ll reach Kirra and Coolangatta, where the southern Gold Coast really settles into holiday mode.
Kirra is famous for surfing, but you certainly don’t need a board to enjoy it. The beach, coastal paths and lookouts provide sweeping views north along the Gold Coast, while nearby Greenmount, Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks offer some of the region’s most recognisable stretches of coastline. Experience Gold Coast
Head up to Point Danger or Kirra Hill, grab a coffee, take the coastal walk and simply enjoy the slower pace.
That’s really what exploring the Southern Gold Coast is all about.
Make Burleigh your starting point
The beauty of staying in Burleigh Heads is that you don’t have to choose between relaxing and exploring.
Spend one day discovering Currumbin Valley, Coolangatta or the local wildlife parks.
Spend the next doing very little at all.
Back at Gemini Court, you’ve got spacious self-contained apartments, ocean views, a heated pool, spa, sauna, tennis court and Burleigh Beach right nearby. geminicourt.com.au
You can explore our Burleigh Heads accommodation options when you’re ready to plan your stay.
Because sometimes the best Gold Coast holiday isn’t about trying to see everything.
It’s about having plenty to choose from — and enough time to enjoy it. 🌴
