A beach day on the Gold Coast with kids
This is a beach day around Burleigh Heads, with all five stops in the same suburb. They are 8.0 to 10.7 km from the centre, so plan to drive down for the day. Burleigh Heads Beach and North Burleigh are patrolled by lifeguards 8am to 5pm every day all year. Tallebudgera Creek is patrolled on weekends and public holidays in season. Everything is free.
Swim first, walk later. Do the beaches while the lifeguards are on duty, then use the shady parklands for lunch and finish with a short bush walk. Pack hats, swimmers and a picnic. Parking at North Burleigh is limited, so check the listing. Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Burleigh Heads Beach
- Late morning: Tumgun Lookout
- Lunch: North Burleigh
- Afternoon: Tallebudgera Creek
- Late afternoon: Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park
Morning
Burleigh Heads Beach
Burleigh Heads Beach, Burleigh Heads · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (2755 reviews)
A free patrolled beach at Burleigh Heads with lifeguards 8am to 5pm daily and parklands with playgrounds, barbecues and toilets. It is 9.3 km from the centre. Go early for the swim, then let kids use the playgrounds while you set up a barbecue or picnic.
Lifeguard patrol: 8:00am – 5:00pm.
Tip: Lifeguards patrol every day all year, 8am to 5pm.
Late morning
Tumgun Lookout walk
Tumgun Lookout, Burleigh Heads · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 5-18 · Free · 4.8 stars (859 reviews)
A lookout on a 2.3 km return rainforest walk in Burleigh Head National Park, with seasonal whale watching. It is 10.2 km from the centre. The listing gives ages 5 to 18, so it suits school-age kids. Take water and wear shoes you can walk in.
Tip: The walk is 2.3 km return; whale watching is seasonal.
Lunch
North Burleigh Beach
North Burleigh, Burleigh Heads · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
The quieter northern end of the Burleigh strip, below the headland locals call Miami Hill, where Mick Shamburg Park has a lookout platform. Parklands have toilets, barbecues, tables, shade structures, playgrounds and showers. It is 8.0 km from the centre.
Lifeguard patrol: 8:00am – 5:00pm, All year.
Tip: Lifeguards at Towers 19 and 20, 8am to 5pm daily; parking is limited.
Afternoon
Swim at Tallebudgera Creek
Tallebudgera Creek, Burleigh Heads · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
A creek framed by Burleigh Heads National Park and Tallebudgera Beach, with sheltered waters the City of Gold Coast describes as popular for picnics, swimming and paddleboarding. It is 10.7 km from the centre. The parkland beside the creek has toilets.
Lifeguard patrol: 8:00am – 5:00pm, September school holidays to first weekend of May.
Tip: Patrolled 8am to 5pm on weekends and public holidays, from the September school holidays to the first weekend of May.
Late afternoon
Mangrove walk at Tallebudgera
Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park, Burleigh Heads · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 2-10 · Free · 4.7 stars (284 reviews)
A council conservation park with a 1.6 km creek and mangrove walk, including a boardwalk, suitable for children. It is 10.7 km from the centre. The listing gives ages 2 to 10. It is an easy finish to a day of swimming.
Tip: The walk is 1.6 km and includes a boardwalk.
Prices, hours and map for Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park
Before you go
- Burleigh Heads Beach and North Burleigh are patrolled 8am to 5pm every day all year.
- Tallebudgera Creek is patrolled only on weekends and public holidays, from the September school holidays to the first weekend of May.
- Parking is limited at North Burleigh, at the surf club and on-street.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags and only where lifeguards are on duty.
- All five stops are free and open every day, so the plan works any day, though the creek is only patrolled on weekends.
Questions parents ask
Which Gold Coast beaches are best for kids?
This plan uses the Burleigh Heads area: Burleigh Heads Beach and North Burleigh, both patrolled 8am to 5pm every day all year, and sheltered Tallebudgera Creek, patrolled on weekends and public holidays in season. Burleigh Heads Beach has playgrounds, barbecues and toilets in its parklands.
When are the Burleigh Heads beaches patrolled?
Burleigh Heads Beach has lifeguards 8am to 5pm every day, all year. North Burleigh is patrolled at Towers 19 and 20, 8am to 5pm every day all year. Tallebudgera Creek is patrolled 8am to 5pm on weekends and public holidays, from the September school holidays to the first weekend of May.
Is there a gentle walk for kids at Burleigh Heads?
The Tallebudgera Creek Conservation Park has a 1.6 km creek and mangrove walk with a boardwalk, suitable for children, and the listing gives ages 2 to 10. The Tumgun Lookout walk is 2.3 km return through rainforest, and the listing gives ages 5 to 18.
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- A free day out on the Gold Coast with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
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