Burleigh Head is a small national park at Burleigh Heads in the City of Gold Coast in South East Queensland, Australia.
Geography
The park is south of Brisbane. The park is tiny yet it contains a diverse range of habitats. Tallebudgera Creek enters the ocean directly south of the park. No camping is permitted in the park. Access is via the Gold Coast Highway which passes by the park. An information centre is available.
Landform
thumb|left|Signage, 2006
The headland has steep sides and is 80 m in height. The formation of the Burleigh headland began between 23 and 25 million years ago. At this time the Tweed Volcano was active. Molten basalt lava from the volcano flowed all the way down the valleys and eroded them all. The valleys were covered in hardened sedimentary rocks before reaching what is now the Burleigh headland. Along Tallebudgera Creek there are rocky platforms and sandy beaches. On the seaside part of the park are black boulders at the base of a cliff.
The headland is an important cultural site for the local Aboriginal tribe known as the Minjungbal people. There are also lace monitors, echidnas, mountain brushtail possums, common brushtail possums and common ringtail possums. Rainbow lorikeets are commonly seen feeding on blossoms in the park.
Walking track
The park contains a popular walking track, known as the Oceanview Track, which connects Burleigh Heads and Tallebudgera Creek. The track is sometimes closed following rock falls, which need to be cleared before reopening the track, but other access points to the national park remain open.
See also
- Protected areas of Queensland