Burnett Heads Beach

3.01 vote
PatrolledOn-LeashToiletsParking
Beach Information

Beach Information

  • 🏖️ Best Time to Visit: September to April for warm weather, calm waters, and ideal swimming conditions.
  • 🐠 Marine Stingers: Possible during warmer months; check local warnings.
  • 🚩 Lifeguard Patrol: Not patrolled.
  • 🐕 Dog Friendly: Yes (see Dog-Friendly Rules below)
  • 🛠️ Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, boat ramp, parking, nearby shops.
  • Accessibility: Good access with paths and nearby parking.
  • 🐊 Wildlife Awareness: Crocodiles possible in nearby waterways/estuaries. Be Crocwise. Deadly snakes extremely rare.
  • 📍 Distance to Brisbane: Approx. 380–400 km (about 4.5–5 hours drive).
  • 🏘️ Closest Town: Burnett Heads — Distance: ~0 km
  • ✈️ Closest Airport: Bundaberg Airport — Distance: ~20 km
  • 🌦️ Typical Weather: Subtropical; warm, humid summers and mild, dry winters.

For the latest official beach conditions and safety information, check Beachsafe.

Burnett Heads Beach sits at the Burnett River mouth on the Coral Coast, about 20 minutes from Bundaberg. Most visitors swim and surf the 200 metre Oaks Beach Burnett Heads pocket, then walk the rocks for Burnett Heads fishing or launch from the all-tide Burnett Heads boat ramp at the harbour.

🏝️Why Visit Burnett Heads Beach

Burnett Heads Beach sits where the Burnett River meets the Coral Sea, about 20 minutes from Bundaberg. Most visitors come for the patrolled 200 metre Oaks Beach Burnett Heads pocket, then stay for Burnett Heads fishing off the rocks and groyne or a launch from the all-tide Burnett Heads boat ramp at the harbour. It is the quieter Coral Coast stop next to Mon Repos, with South Head Parklands, the lighthouse and the Turtle Trail right behind the sand.

🏖️Things to Do at Burnett Heads Bundaberg

🏊 Oaks Beach Burnett Heads — Patrolled swim and small surf on the 200 m pocket.
🎣 Burnett Heads fishing — Rocks and groyne at Oaks, plus the harbour walls and jetty.
🚤 Burnett Heads boat ramp — 5-lane all-tide launch at Harbour Esplanade.
🚶 Turtle Trail — Path from South Head past Oaks toward Mon Repos. No dogs in the conservation park.
🧺 South Head Parklands — Playground, skate park, BBQs and toilets behind the beach.

🏖️ Oaks Beach Burnett Heads

🚩 Patrolled pocket — 200 m sand between the rocks and the groyne. This is the swim beach for Burnett Heads Bundaberg.
🏊 Swim — Flags in season. Stay between them. Rips sit off the rocks.
🏄 Surf — Short small peaks on the same 200 m. Not a destination point.
🚫 Dogs — Not allowed on Oaks Beach. Off-leash is Jack Strathdee Park.
🅿️ Access — Sea Esplanade and South Head Parklands. Toilets, BBQs, playground, skate park. No 4WD.

🎣Burnett Heads Fishing

🪨 Oaks rocks and groyne — Best land-based water. Deeper than the short sand.
🐟 Catch — Bream, whiting, flathead close in. Seasonal mackerel and tailor around the mouth.
🚤 Boat — Launch at the Burnett Heads boat ramp for the river entrance and close reefs.
🪵 Harbour jetty — Simple wall and jetty session without the ocean rocks.

🚤Burnett Heads Boat Ramp

📍 Harbour Esplanade — 5-lane concrete ramp, floating walkway and jetty. All tides. Slippery at dead low.
🅿️ On site — Trailer parking, lighting, toilets, water and picnic area.
🌊 Use — River mouth and inshore reefs. Not a beach launch. No 4WD at Oaks Beach Burnett Heads.

🐶  Dog Friendly Rules

🚫 Oaks Beach — Dogs not allowed on Oaks Beach Burnett Heads.
🌳 Jack Strathdee Park — Fenced off-leash on Neill Street. Small-dog and all-dog yards. leash Everywhere else — On-leash on paths, parks and any unsigned foreshore.
🏖️ Off-leash beach — Woodgate only. Not Burnett Heads Bundaberg.
🐢 Mon Repos — No dogs in the conservation park.

🛍️Facilities, Accessibility

🚽 Toilets — South Head Parklands behind Oaks Beach Burnett Heads and at the harbour.
🍖 Picnic and BBQ — Tables, shelters and BBQs at South Head Parklands.
🚤 Burnett Heads boat ramp — 5-lane all-tide ramp, trailer parking, lighting, water and picnic area at Harbour Esplanade.
🛒 Shops and food — Village shops, takeaway and harbour dining a short drive from the sand.
🐕 Dogs — Not allowed on Oaks Beach. Fenced off-leash is Jack Strathdee Park on Neill Street. On-leash on paths and parks.
♿ Access — Sealed streets, park paths and nearby parking. Check the beach access point after rain.

🌤️Best Time to Visit Burnett Heads

☀️ September to April — Warmest months for swimming at Oaks Beach Burnett Heads and for Burnett Heads fishing.
🌡️ Weather — Subtropical. Hot humid summers. Mild dry winters.
🪼 Stingers — Possible in the warmer months. Check signs before you swim.
🚩 Patrol — Oaks Beach Burnett Heads is the patrolled pocket. Swim between the flags in season.

🗺️ Getting There

🚗 Drive — About 20 minutes north-east of Bundaberg CBD via Bundaberg–Port Road and Burnett Heads Road.
🅿️ Oaks Beach parking — South Head Parklands and Sea Esplanade for Oaks Beach Burnett Heads.
🅿️ Ramp parking — Trailer bays at the Burnett Heads boat ramp on Harbour Esplanade.
🚌 Bus — Limited Bundaberg to Burnett Heads services. Weekend gaps. Check the current timetable before you go.

💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Duffy’s Bus Service or Bundaberg Regional Council for latest travel and access updates.

💡 Local Tips

🚩 Swim at Oaks — Use the flagged 200 m pocket at Oaks Beach Burnett Heads. That is the patrolled water.
🎣 Fish the rocks — Best Burnett Heads fishing is the Oaks groyne and rocks, not the thin high-tide sand.
🚤 Launch here — All-tide Burnett Heads boat ramp at the harbour. No beach 4WD.
🐢 Turtles — Nesting season is November to March. Book Mon Repos tours on that page. No dogs in the conservation park.
🌅 Sunrise — South Head and the lighthouse give the river-mouth view. Arrive early on weekends.

📍Nearby Attractions & Activities

🗼 Burnett Heads Lighthouse — 1873 timber light in Lighthouse Park, plus the modern light on South Head.
🐢 Mon Repos Turtle Centre — Next coastal stop south. Night tours in nesting season. No dogs in the park.
🚶 Turtle Trail — Shared path from South Head Parklands past Oaks Beach Burnett Heads toward Bargara.
🏖️ Other beaches — Bargara Beach, Kellys Beach and Nielson Park.
🚤 Port Bundaberg — Marina, seafood and the Burnett Heads boat ramp precinct.

📆 Events & Markets Nearby

🎸 Lighthouse Rock — All-ages rock festival at Lighthouse Fields, Burnett Heads.
🦐 Oceanfest Bundaberg — Seafood and family day at Bundaberg Port Marina, Burnett Heads.
🍓 Taste Bundaberg Festival — Region food program each September. Events spread across Bundaberg, Bargara and Elliott Heads.
🎨 Bargara markets — Regular arts, craft and food stalls on the Bargara foreshore. Check current dates before you go.
🎄 Bundaberg Christmas markets — December stalls across the wider Bundaberg area.

For a full list of what’s on in the area, visit the
👉 Bundaberg Attractions | Best Things to Do Near Bundaberg Beaches

🏕️Accommodation Near Burnett Heads

Visitors will find several options close to Burnett Heads, ranging from holiday parks to local rentals:

  • 🏨 Motels & holiday units in Burnett Heads
  • ⛺ Caravan and holiday parks near the marina
  • 🏡 Short-term rentals & waterfront holiday homes

📖 Read Accommodation Reviews
📸 Submit Your Accommodation Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.

🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Burnett Heads offers a relaxed coastal atmosphere with a few local cafés, pubs, and takeaway spots near the marina and along the waterfront. Enjoy fish and chips by the beach, a casual meal after exploring the harbour, or a sunset drink overlooking the Burnett River — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!

📖 Read Food & Drinks Reviews
📸 Submit Your Food & Drinks Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.

🧭Plan Your Trip to Burnett Heads Bundaberg

Whether you’re planning a day out fishing or a quiet coastal holiday, Burnett Heads, Bundaberg Queensland is a must-visit destination. With its mix of rocky shoreline, fishing access, dog-friendly spaces, and relaxed seaside atmosphere, Burnett Heads is perfect for travellers wanting a more laid-back experience along Queensland’s Coral Coast.

💬 Share Your Burnett Heads Beach Photos & Reviews

📸 We’d love to see your favourite moments from the Bundaberg Region! Upload your photos, share your experiences, and leave a review to help other visitors discover the stunning beaches along this beautiful stretch of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

📖 Read Beach Reviews
📸 Submit Your Beach Review
💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly.

💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Discover more of Bundaberg’s Coral Coast:
Mon Repos Beach ➜ | Nielson Park Beach ➜ | Kellys Beach ➜ | Elliott Heads ➜

🌊 About This Beach Directory


🌴 Note: This directory doesn’t include every beach in Queensland — there are simply too many! We’ve selected the most significant and unique beaches based on a range of factors including natural beauty, accessibility, and local popularity.

💌 If you think we’ve missed one that deserves to be featured, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Email us at Admin@QldBeach.com with your photos and tell us why your favourite beach should be added.

☀️ Happy surfing, swimming and sunning from the Queensland Beach Guide team!

← Go Back

✅ Queensland Beach Guide contains affiliate links. This means if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe will help our readers. All opinions are our own.

Last updated: June 2026

Burnett Heads FAQs

Is Burnett Heads beach patrolled?

No. Burnett Heads and Oaks Beach are currently unpatrolled. Always swim between the flags at nearby Bargara beaches if lifeguards are required.

Can I take me do to Burnett Heads beach?

Yes – on-leash in designated areas with signed off-leash sections. Dogs are not allowed on Oaks Beach itself. Always clean up after your dog.

Can you fish at Burnett Heads?

Excellent fishing from the rocks, groyne and boat ramp at the river mouth. Deep water access makes it one of the better shore and boat fishing spots near Bundaberg.

How far is Burnett Heads from Bundaberg?

Approximately 16–20 minutes’ drive north-east of Bundaberg CBD via Bundaberg-Port Road and Burnett Heads Road.