Burleigh heads

Burleigh Heads is a right-hand point break that fires with southeast swell and offshore southwest wind, producing fast, well-formed waves across all tide stages. Winter provides the most consistent conditions, with June typically offering the best windows. The break works well for experienced surfers though it demands precision timing and local knowledge to navigate the point's fast-moving walls.

The point break remained unridden until 1958 when Brisbane surfers Hugh and John McMaster first paddled out. The first recorded event, the Burleigh Festival of Boards, occurred in 1965, the same year the Burleigh Heads Boardriders Club formed. The Stubbies Pro, which launched here in 1977, fundamentally changed competitive surfing by introducing the man-on-man heat format—a single innovation that shaped how the sport organizes contests to this day. The venue has since hosted numerous elite competitions, including the Breaka Burleigh Pro (annually since 2010) and the World Surf League's Gold Coast Open, cementing its status as a place that produces serious competitors.

The point break sits along the Burleigh Headland with access via the national park, though the boulder fields themselves are off-limits. Parking is limited near the Goodwin Terrace entrance, so early arrival is essential on weekends. The Esplanade offers free three-hour parking between First and Kelly avenues, and Justins Park Carpark is free. Street parking elsewhere costs $2 per hour with restrictions typically between 8am and 6pm on weekdays.