The 2025 sequel you didnt expect or ask for
Why Burrum Heads should be on your getaway list?
Tucked away on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, Burrum Heads is one of those places that quietly wins you over. It doesn’t shout for attention — it doesn’t have to. It just invites you in and helps you to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and remember what it feels like to truly unwind.
A small coastal village where the Burrum River meets the Coral Sea, Burrum Heads is the kind of destination that feels like it has been preserved from a simpler time. There are no high-rises, no traffic jams, and no crowds rushing for the “perfect” photo. Instead, you’ll find fishing boats, pelicans, and a sky that seems to stretch forever. The locals greet you with an easy smile and a chat, the fish and chips are always fresh, and sunsets here could make a poet out of anyone.
For nature lovers, Burrum Heads is a quiet paradise. The estuary teems with fish, making it a dream spot for anglers. Dolphins often glide by, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a turtle breaking the surface. The beaches — long, clean, and rarely crowded — are perfect for walking, swimming, or simply sitting with your toes in the sand, and an enjoyable book in hand. A short drive away, you can explore the lush Burrum Coast National Park or take a day trip to Hervey Bay and the world-famous Fraser Island.
But what makes Burrum Heads truly special is its atmosphere. There is a stillness here that seeps into your bones. It’s a place that encourages you to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with yourself. Whether you come for a weekend or a week, you’ll leave feeling lighter, calmer, and just a little more in tune with the world. You’ll find that sometimes, the best adventures are the quiet ones.
Where to stay
With the multitude of holiday home websites around, finding a place to stay can be daunting. I have mastered the “daunting” and now have myself an A-Z of all the beautiful places we have stayed so I never forget them. This is one of those places. 126 Burrum Street. Dad and I stayed here a couple of years back and loved it. The location is perfect; the beach is mere feet away.
What to do
Start with the water because everything in Burrum Heads seems to revolve around it. The meeting point of the Burrum River and the Coral Sea creates some of the calmest, most inviting waterways you will find. Early risers can watch the sun spill across glassy water while casting a line—fishing here is not just a pastime; it’s a local language.
For something more leisurely, stroll the foreshore walking paths. They’re flat, peaceful, and perfect for taking in the endless horizon, spotting dolphins, or simply letting the breeze clear your head. Pack a picnic and stop at one of the many shaded areas along the way. Nature lovers can explore the nearby Burrum Coast National Park, where kangaroos graze in the open spaces and birdlife fills the air. Quiet creeks and sandy tracks make it ideal for photographers and wanderers alike. When the tide goes out, walk the exposed sandbars—there’s something wonderfully childlike about exploring the textures and tiny treasures left behind.
And the best thing to do in Burrum Heads? Absolutely nothing. Sit by the water, breathe, and let the stillness do its quiet magic.
Eating and drinking
Burrum Heads is not somewhere that you will find a multitude of restaurants and cafes to meet every need. A Foodworks shop, the bowls club, and a tavern are the only options. However, if you venture out for a drive, you are fifteen minutes from Toogoom, and a little restaurant called “Goodys on the Beach.” Venture twenty minutes further on and you’ll find yourself in Hervey Bay where a plethora of eateries, pubs and cafes await you and your tastebuds.
Nature and Wildlife
Burrum Heads has a way of making you feel like you have stepped into a nature documentary—only without David Attenborough whispering in your ear, which is a shame, really. The wildlife here doesn’t just appear; it announces itself. Pelicans pose along the river like oversized supermodels, wide-beaked and utterly unbothered by the rest of us mere mortals trying to take photos without falling off the jetty. Early mornings belong to the kangaroos. They gather on the grassy patches as if holding some sort of marsupial committee meeting.
The water is its own theatre. Turtles surface like shy old souls coming up for a breath of wisdom, while fish scatter in every direction as though late for work. If you’re patient, you might spot dolphins cruising through the river mouth. Then there are the bush birds—rainbow bee-eaters, kookaburras, magpies—all conducting their own daily opera. Some sing, some laugh, some threaten you for your sandwich. It’s all part of the charm.
When to visit
There is never a right or wrong time to visit anywhere. Unless we’re talking shopping centres at Christmas, then I avoid those like the plague! Burrum Heads in December is summertime and so temperatures are expected to be high 20s, early 30s. Add in some Queensland humidity, and it can be a little sticky!!
Diary of Burrum Heads Revisited
Monday 8th December
The last trip of 2025 began today. We set off a little earlier than we had planned but we were showered and ready to go. We headed off to Sippy Downs to an old favourite that we have been to before for breakfast. is a lovely café just opposite The Bower Tree Pub. It’s not a big place but what they serve is well priced and very tasty. A full breakfast for $22 is extremely reasonable!
We hit the M1 and headed north until the signs pointed us right. After a pit stop at Foodworks to pick up supplies and a quick look out at the view to the ocean, we headed to 126 Burrum Street – our base for the week.
The weather hit a warm and muggy 31 degrees so an afternoon with a cold drink, the air con and catching up on an episode of “Welcome to Derry” on HBO Max was the order of my day. We finished with a nice dinner and wine at the Burrum Heads Tavern, before coming back for a relaxing evening. The muggy weather was replaced for a brief time by a burst of rain but thankfully, we were inside.
Tuesday 9th December
Tuesday began with two coffees and toast sitting outside the holiday home. Being able to see the sea from your seat is special. Being able to hear and see the birds is special. Being with my dad is special. These trips give me memories with him that I can cherish.
Tuesday took us on a drive out to Woodgate, a spot we have stayed at before and always enjoy. It’s peaceful, relaxing, and the tavern never disappoints with its great food. The day was warm—about 32 degrees—but with the air-conditioning humming along, the trip was comfortably pleasant. A relaxing evening with a stroll along the beach finished the day.
Wednesday 10th December
The next day of the trip started as the last. Warm and humid. The sky was blue with barely a few clouds, and the heat was settled in for the day. Despite that, we sat outside for the first coffee of the day and breakfast. Nothing was initially planned for today but after breakfast, we took a drive to Toogoom where we went to Goodys on the Beach for a snack. A beer, one mocktail and 2 desserts later, we headed back to the holiday let.
While driving back after lunch, we made a decision to leave on Thursday to go home. While the holiday let is relaxing and the location perfection, the weather is not what we had hoped for. Of course, you can’t predict weather when you book a trip in advance, but when it is too hot to sit outside and you need the air con on 24/7 inside rendering it too cold at times, it can be uncomfortable. It’s time to vacate for home comforts.
Thursday 11th December
Today was a get up and get going home. As much as being away is nice, the comforts of home cannot be beaten. We hit the highway and were home by lunchtime. The washing was done straight away and put outside in the blazing sun. A couple of hours later, it was all dry and done. Home sweet home.
My final word
My final word is this: as beautiful and peaceful as Burrum Heads is, this trip made us realise just how remote it can feel. Dining options are limited to the bowls club and the tavern, and the only grocery store is a small FoodWorks—there aren’t really any “local” shops to wander through. Hervey Bay is the nearest hub, but it’s a 50-kilometre round trip.
Of course, it all comes down to what you’re looking for in a getaway. Burrum Heads offers tranquillity in spades, but it’s worth knowing how far the nearest facilities are before you go.
