📍Burrum Heads Visitor Guide: 11 Best Things To Do & More! (2024.)
WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT VISITING BURRUM HEADS?
Burrum Heads is a lovely coastal town near the famous whale-watching capital of Australia, Hervey Bay, that I discovered while spending six weeks exploring the breathtaking Fraser Coast and Bundaberg regions of Queensland.
Although it escapes much of the tourist radar if you’re seeking solitude or a peaceful beach escape with family and friends away from the maddening crowds, this is a fantastic choice in a part of the state renowned for its beautiful beaches and laid-back lifestyle.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Burrum Heads & surrounds:
- Explore the Burrum River by boat or kayak.
- Splash around at Beelbi Creek.
- Hike at Burrum Coast National Park and camp at Burrum Point Camping Area. (Boat or 4WD accessible only.)
Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!
Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Renting Vehicles: I recommend RentalCars.com.
Where Is Burrum Heads?
The picturesque coastal township of Burrum Heads lies approximately 30km west-northwest of the whale watching capital of Australia, Harvey Bay in sunny Queensland. From the state capital, Brisbane, it is 300km north-northwest.
11 Best Things To Do In Burrum Heads.
1. Enjoy A Scenic Stroll.
Esplanade Walk.
When first getting to town, a great way to familiarise yourself with it and get into holiday mode is by enjoying a lovely scenic walk along the picturesque esplanade. Looking directly east, that’s the largest sand island in the world, the renowned K’gari(Fraser Island).
2. Head To The Beach.
Burrum Beach.
Of course, you can’t come to the beach and not go to the beach. The township has two beautiful places where people love enjoying time by the water.
While they don’t have official names (that I can find), the first one is the ocean-facing beach south of the mouth of the river, which extends a considerable distance along the coast and has plenty of space to spread out. The easiest access points are from the Esplanade and Traviston Park.
The second is to the west of Lions Park on the Burrum River. This one is especially great for families as it’s more sheltered from the ocean. But that said, the aforementioned beach is typically calm too. However, it’s more prone to wind.
Both are great for doing various beachside activities, such as swimming, building sand castles and playing beach sports. And because some areas are shallow, they are fun to explore when the tides go out and the sand is exposed. And when the wind is up, that opens up a whole other world of fun things to do, such as flying a kite, wing surfing and kitesurfing.
3. Explore The River.
Burrum River.
For those who enjoy boating and paddling, the Burrum River is also an excellent place to explore the water. Head upstream and spend a few hours and enjoy the peace and serenity of the pristine waterway. Watch for waterbirds on the shore or low branches and birds of prey high up in the trees while discovering this beautiful place.
Burrum Heads National Park.
Those with watercraft can not only explore the river but can head across to the northern banks and discover Burrum Coast National Park, which opens up a world of fantastic things to uncover.
4. Go For A Nature Walk.
Various Trails.
The national park is home to a handful of trails. Luckily, two walks start from the 4Wd or boat-accessible campground at Burrum Point.
There’s the short 500m return Russell Rest Track, which has extensive ocean and estuary views, or the lengthy 12.3km Melaleuca Loop, which goes through melaleuca wetlands, salt pans, mangroves and heath and is especially pretty during spring when the wildflowers blossom.
If that’s too long, you can head to the Bird Hide, which partially follows the Melaleuca Trail but is a shorter 7.6km return walk to the campground and provides an excellent opportunity to see waterbirds. Make sure to bring binoculars.
Or, if you’ve got a friend with a car on the other side, or perhaps you’re visiting Burrum Point from here, there are also three other trails to explore: Boardwalk and Banksia Trail and River Walk, which features a platform viewpoint overlooking the beautiful Burrum River. There’s also my favourite spot, the gorgeous Theodolite Creek.
Note: Some of the trailheads and both campgrounds are only accessible by high-clearance 4WD.
5. Take The 4WD For a Spin On The Beach.
Kinkuna Section.
Speaking of having someone you know on the northern side or starting from there, if anyone has a 4WD, you can get in the offroad vehicle and head to the top of the national park and enjoy driving along the beach in the Kinkuna Section.
6. Enjoy A Night Under The Stars.
Burrum Point Camping Area.
While exploring Burrum Coast National Park, why not stay longer and spend some nights under the stars? There are two camping spots, the aforementioned Burrum Point and Kinkuna Section, which are great places to visit if you love being outdoors. However, both are only accessible by boat or a 4WD and are close to the water.
Burrum Point is the closest and easiest to reach as it sits directly opposite the Burrum Heads and has flushing toilets and a cold shower. The Kinkuna Section is a rustic bush camping site that doesn’t even have toilets, so that’s something you’ll have to bring with you.
Whichever one you choose, it’s a great way to extend your time in Burrum Heads.
7. Search For Animals.
Various Places.
Whether exploring the beachfront or navigating the river or ocean, there are many animals to come across at this stunning coastal heaven. Shorebirds are some of the most common birds that hang around these parts, but sea eagles and other birds of prey frequently fly in the sky or sit on the highest branches of trees, too. On the beach, you may spot crabs, especially when the tide is out and the sand, usually covered by water, is exposed.
And if you visit during whale watching season (June-October), when they migrate north, there’s a good chance you’ll see the majestic beasts exhibiting various surface-level behaviours. After all, Hervey Bay, just down the road, is the whale-watching capital of Australia.
8. Bond Over Some Sports.
Burrum Heads Recreation Reserve.
For those who enjoy sports, the Burrum Heads Recreation Reserve is an excellent place to have a friendly game and make closer bonds. It has a 1.5 basketball court for those who like shooting hoops and a tennis court for playing tennis and badminton, but with 9 acres of space, you can play a variety of sports without needing to bring much equipment, like cricket. Or just kick around a soccer ball of footy. Or even throw around a frisbee or fly a kite
There’s also a BBQ and sheltered picnic tables to enjoy whipping a delicious park-cooked meal after working up an appetite with all that activity and running around.
9. Go Walking On Water.
Beelbi Creek.
The beaches at the Burrum Heads township aren’t the only beautiful places to enjoy the water. Beelbi Creek in Toogoom, just down the road, is a gorgeous spot I absolutely loved visiting.
The tranquil waterway is very shallow, making it an excellent and safe place to let young kids explore and splash around. But it’s not only great for the little ones. It’s also a fantastic place for people of all ages to enjoy stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, as it’s far less rough and turbulent than the middle of the Burrum River can sometimes be, making it a great all-around place to visit for the whole family.
10. Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails & Skill Park.
Many of the things to do in Burrum Heads are pretty relaxing (except stand-up paddleboarding, which is more challenging than it looks, especially for beginners. I’m saying that from personal experience! Lol.) and not the most thrill-seeking, but if you are looking for something exciting, the Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails and Skill Park is an epic place to get both.
The park has an extensive network of trails covering over 40 km. Tracks are graded and come in various difficulties, so everyone, from beginners to experts, can find something for their skill level.
In addition to that are showers to rinse yourself down after working up a sweat, shelter sheds for relaxing between rides and some cafes nearby to refuel the body, making it a great day out for everyone.
11. Arkarra Lagoons.
Another lovely place to visit is the Arkarra Lagoons. Arkarra is the aboriginal word for a “place of many ducks”, but they’re not the only birds that call this lovely freshwater wetland home.
The 14.27ha reserve has around 200 avian species. They either live here permanently or migrate to melaleuca and eucalypt forests seasonally. It is, understandably, a birdwatcher and photographer’s heaven, but it’s also a great place to enjoy a relaxing walk and get the kids exploring a different part of nature.
Why Do People Like To Visit?
➡️ The Peacefulness.
One of the best things about Burrum Heads is its peacefulness. It’s not a big city like Harvey Bay, Maryborough or Bundaberg, nor a destination town like Noosa or Byron Bay, but rather a little-known village that few people know about and even fewer visit making it a tranquil place by the seaside.
➡️ Minimal Interaction.
What’s fantastic about seldom-visited places like this is that everyone can find somewhere they can enjoy and have it all to themselves. It’s not often you’ll encounter someone else. And if you do, it’s typically only brief. That makes it fantastic for people who enjoy quiet adventures and finding solitude.
➡️ Ideal For Plenty Of Beach Activities.
At Burrum Heads, chilling out on the beach is one of the best things to do. And with plenty of beachfront real estate, there’s no shortage of places to set up and activities to enjoy, from the classic frolic in the ocean to boogie boarding, skip boarding, and so much more. (See below for more ideas for what you can do on the sand and in the surf.)
➡️ Getting Back In Touch With Nature.
Beaches are a big part of life in this beautiful town, but it’s not the only way to get back in touch with nature. The Burrum River opens up another world of activities. And if you have a boat or a paddle craft of some kind, you can reach the opposite side of the waterway and enjoy a range of things to do there too, which all are perfect ways to recharge your batteries. (See more below.)
➡️ Switching Off And Living In The Moment.
With so much naturally on offer at Burrum Heads, it’s the perfect place to switch off your devices and enjoy being in the moment rather than living vicariously through the screens.
➡️ It’s A Fantastic Escape For Families & Friends.
For all the reasons listed above, the quiet little town is the perfect place to take the family or some friends for quality time together. It has plenty of engaging things to do, especially if you take some gear to supplement your activities. There are few distractions, and there’s not much good reception meaning that you can enjoy bonding with your loved ones while making unforgettable new memories without their attention drifting off to wondering what the latest status updates are.
Map.
How To Get To Burrum Heads?
Because Burrum Heads is a small township off the tourist radar, there are limited ways to get there. The two nearest cities are the revered Harvey Bay and the beautiful Maryborough.
Harvey Bay has direct incoming flights from Brisbane and Sydney but only with QANTAS, which is pricey. Maryborough also has an airport, but it is only used for recreational flying, medical air services, flying training and freight transport.
Flying into Brisbane is always easier and cheaper as all state capitals and many major cities have flights that land in the River City, from expensive carriers such as QANTAS and Virgin to affordable ones such as Jetstar.
From there, you can either hop aboard one of the many Queensland Rail luxury trains that depart from Roma Street and stop at both these cities, take a privately-owned Greyhound bus to Harvey Bay, and then catch public transport the remainder of the way.
Alternatively, hire a car and enjoy a beautiful 300km road trip, through the magnificent Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
What To Take To Burrum Heads.
- Sunscreen.
- Hat.
- Sunglasses
- Towels.
- Swimwear.
- Change Of Clothes.
- Watershoes.
- Camera/ Waterproof Camera,
- Food/Snacks.
- Drinking Water.
- Cooler.
- BBQ/Picnic Stuff.
- Beach Shelter.
- Gazebo.
- Beach Chairs.
- Shovel/Bucket
- Pool Floaty.
- Frisbee.
- Kite.
- Sports Equipment.
- Paddleboard/Kayak/Canoe & Equipment.
- Binoculars.
- Book/ Music Playlist.
- Insect Repellent.
Parking.
There are a few lovely places to park.
Lions Park is the best by far. It’s fully tarred and has plenty of room for boat trailers to easily turn around, launch their vessel at the boat ramp, park and leave. There are also lots of regular car spaces too, a lovely picnic area overlooking the Burrum River and new toilet facilities.
For places by the ocean, the Esplanade between Burrum Head Road and Torbanlea Road is a lovely spot with parallel parking. Traviston Park, further south along the coast, is also a fantastic place to park the car to enjoy the sea breeze and launch a kayak.
What Facilities Are There?
- Lions Park.
- Sheltered Picnic Tables.
- BBQs.
- Toilets.
- Boat Ramp.
- Plenty Of Parking.
- Traviston Park.
- Beach Access.
- Picnic Tables.
- Playground.
- Outdoor Gym.
- Toilets.
- Burrum Heads Recreation Reserve.
- BBQs
- Sheltered Picnic Tables & Seats.
- 1/2 Basketball Court.
- Tennis Court.
- Toilets.
Weather.
With warm weather and an average of 150 days of sunshine, Burrum Heads is often delightful for much of the year. It experiences hot summers, reaching an average of 30 degrees Celsius and warm winters at around 23 degrees Celsius during the day. However, as a place by the coast, it frequently has wind coming in from the ocean that can turn an otherwise lovely day into an unpleasant one, particularly during the cooler months.
Rainfall typically occurs throughout the year but is heaviest and more frequent during the warmer months as are storms.
Tides.
The Burrum River has some very shallow sections that can affect some activities, such as boating and kayaking, so to ensure you don’t get caught out, ensure you check the tides before just heading out by clicking here.
Accommodation: Where To Stay.
- Burrum Point Camping Area – Burrum Coast National Park.
- Kinkuna Section – Burrum Coast National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Where Is The Best Place To Swim At Burrum Heads?
The small coastal town has several lovely places to enjoy swimming.
The beach west of Lions Park is a favourite amongst families as its calm and sheltered from the ocean’s waves. The beach south of the head is also a fantastic place to enjoy a splash in the water. Traviston Park is the best place to access the quiet beach, which even though it directly faces the ocean, is surprisingly not that wavy. A little further away Beelbi Creek is also a lovely shallow swimming beach.
Is It Safe To Swim At Burrum Heads?
Yes! The waters around Burrum Heads are considered safe. They typically don’t have big waves or strong currents that can knock people around or drag them out to sea thanks to K’gari(Fraser Island). It’s ordinarily pretty flat and shallow, but stay close to the visible beach and away from the river mouth, as the further out you go, the more hazardous it becomes.
However, it’s important to note that they are NOT patrolled by lifeguards even during peak times, so that’s something to consider if you have young children or aren’t an adequate swimmer. (The nearest lifeguard-patrolled beach is Torquay Beach at Hervey Bay.)
As for marine animals, there aren’t many known shark sightings. However, deadly stingers, such as some species of jellyfish, are sometimes present in the water.
Are There Sandflies At Burrum Heads?
The town is not known for having sandflies, and I never had any trouble with any while I was there. But it is always best to carry insect repellent if any biting insects appear and start syphoning your bodily fluids, especially if boating or paddling.
How Far Is Burrum Heads From Hervey Bay?
From the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Center on 227 Maryborough Hervey Bay Rd, Burrum Heads is a 30km, 25-minute drive from the beloved coastal city.
How Long Would It Take To Drive From Bundaberg To Burrum Heads?
Driving from the beautiful regional city of Bundaberg, home of Bundaberg Rum and the largest sea turtle nesting site in mainland Australia to the quaint coastal town of Burrum Heads takes about an hour and 15 minutes to the 104km distance and passing near the picturesque country township of Childers.
Conclusion: Things To Do In Burrum Heads Visitor Guide.
Burrum Heads may not be a place many people know about, but that’s part of its charm. So if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to recharge and spend time with family or friends, this is a fantastic place to do so.
