Elliott Heads Beach

4.01 vote
Patrolled LtdDogs LimitedFamily FriendlyParking
Beach Information

Beach Information

  • 🏖️ Best Time to Visit: September to April for calm swimming, scenic walks, and water sports.
  • 🐠 Marine Stingers: Possible from November to May; check local signage and wear stinger suits if swimming.
  • 🚩 Lifeguard Patrol: Patrolled during summer and school holidays.
  • 🐕 Dog Friendly: Yes (see Dog-Friendly Rules below)
  • 🛠️ Facilities: Toilets, showers, picnic areas, BBQs, playground, kiosk, parking.
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible paths and beach viewing points.
  • 🐊 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: Elliott Heads — Distance: ~0 km
  • ✈️ Closest Airport: Bundaberg Airport — Distance: ~20 km
  • 🌦️ Typical Weather: Subtropical; warm, humid summers and mild winters with refreshing breezes.

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

Elliott Heads Beach sits at the Elliott River mouth, about 15 minutes from Bundaberg. Swim between the flags on the SLSC pocket, walk the Elliott Heads rock pools at low tide, then use the river flats for kite surfing Elliott Heads or Elliott Heads fishing off the groynes.

🏝️Why Visit Elliott Heads Bundaberg?

Elliott Heads Beach sits at the Elliott River mouth, about 15 minutes south-east of Bundaberg. Swim between the flags on the SLSC pocket, walk the Elliott Heads rock pools at low tide, then use the river flats for kite surfing Elliott Heads or Elliott Heads fishing off the groynes. It is the quieter family foreshore on this stretch of the Coral Coast, with parkland, a kiosk and the holiday park right behind the sand.

🏖️Things to Do at Elliott Heads Beach

🏊 Swim — Flagged 150 m pocket in front of Elliott Heads SLSC. River shallows are calmer but the channel is deep and fast.
🪁 Kite surfing Elliott Heads — River-mouth flats and small ocean chop. Stay out of the flags.
🎣 Elliott Heads fishing — Groynes and the river mouth for whiting, bream and flathead.
🪨 Elliott Heads rock pools — Low-tide mermaid pools and shelf on the Dr Mays side.
🏄 Board surf — Small peaks on the SLSC beach. Beginner and SUP. Better longboard waves at Bargara.

🪁 Kite Surfing Elliott Heads Bundaberg

🌬️ Why it works — River-mouth flats plus small ocean chop. This is the distinctive water sport at Elliott Heads Bundaberg.
🏄 Launch — Grass rigging and sand launch near the SLSC / holiday-park foreshore. Watch the groynes, river channel and other beach users.
🏊 Swim separate — Flags are for swimming only. Do not kite through the patrol zone.
🏄 Board surf — Small peaks on the 150 m SLSC beach. Beginner and SUP. Not a consistent reef point.

🪨 Elliott Heads Rock Pools

🪨Tide Low tide only — Elliott Heads rock pools and mermaid pools show on the shelf and Dr Mays side as the tide drops. They disappear at high tide.
👣 Sandbars — Low tide can run 200–300 m of sand flats. Watch holes and the river channel.
🐦 Dr Mays Island — Closed 1 September to 30 April for migratory shorebirds. Stay out of the signed roost.
⚠️ Feet — Sharp rock and slippery shelf. Water shoes. Do not jump unknown pools.

🎣 Elliott Heads Fishing

🪨 Groynes and mouth — Best Elliott Heads fishing is the rock groynes and the river mouth, not the thin high-tide swim sand.
🐟 Catch — Whiting, bream and flathead on the flats. Stronger water in the channel.
🚤 Boat — Launch at Riverview, not off the flagged beach. No 4WD on this sand. ⚠️ Current — The mouth runs deep and fast. Stay off the channel edge with kids.

🐶  Dog Friendly Rules

🚫 Bathing reserve — Dogs prohibited from the river mouth around to the surf club.
🚫 Dr Mays Island — Dogs prohibited 1 September to 30 April for migratory shorebirds. leash Unsigned sand — On-leash only. No off-leash beach at Elliott Heads Bundaberg.
🏨 Holiday park — Elliott Heads Holiday Park does not take pets. Woodgate is the region off-leash beach.

🛍️Facilities & Accessibility

🚽 Toilets and showers — Foreshore block near the SLSC and park.
🍖 BBQ and picnic — Tables and BBQs on the grass behind the beach.
🛝 Playground — Foreshore park for kids next to the holiday park.
🍦 Kiosk — Drinks and food on the foreshore.
♿ Access — Sealed streets, park paths and beachfront parking at Lihs Street.
🐕 Dogs — Not on the flagged bathing reserve. See Dog Friendly Rules.

🌤️Best Time to Visit Elliott Heads Bundaberg

☀️ September to April — Warmest months for the flagged swim, kite surfing Elliott Heads and Elliott Heads rock pools at low tide.
🌡️ Weather — Subtropical. Hot humid summers. Mild winters.
🪼 Stingers — Possible November to May. Check signs before you swim.
🚩 Patrol — Elliott Heads SLSC weekends and public holidays from mid-September to the end of April. Lifeguards in school holidays.

🗺️ Getting To Elliott Heads Bundaberg

🚗 Drive — About 15 to 20 minutes south-east of Bundaberg CBD on Elliott Heads Road through cane country.
🅿️ Park — Lihs Street foreshore and SLSC car park. Extra bays by the holiday park.
🚌 Bus — Limited weekday Bundaberg to Elliott Heads services. Check the current timetable.
🚤 Boat — Launch at Riverview. No 4WD on this beach.

💡 Info correct at time of writing — check Bundaberg Regional Council and Duffy’s Bus Service for latest transport details.

💡 Local Tips

🚩 Swim in the flags — The channel at the river mouth is not a family pool. Tide Hit low tide — That is when Elliott Heads rock pools and the sandbars appear.
🪁 Wind days — Sea breeze is the kite surfing Elliott Heads window. Give swimmers space.
🐦 Shorebirds — Stay off signed Dr Mays roost ground from 1 September to 30 April.
🍦 Kiosk first — Park, flags and food are all on the same foreshore.

📍Nearby Attractions & Activities

🪨 Elliott Heads rock pools — Low-tide shelf on the Dr Mays side of Elliott Heads Beach.
🚤 Riverview boat ramp — River and Coral Sea launch for Elliott Heads fishing.
🏖️ Bargara beaches — Bargara Beach, Kellys Beach and Nielson Park, a short drive north.
🐢 Mon Repos — Turtle centre and rookery further north. Separate page for tours.

📆 Events & Markets Nearby

🦐 Oceanfest Bundaberg — Seafood day at Port Marina, Burnett Heads.
🍓 Taste Bundaberg Festival — Including Elliott Heads foreshore events.
🎨 Bargara markets — Regular arts and food stalls on the Bargara foreshore. Check current dates.
🎭 Milbi Festival — Bundaberg Indigenous and marine program in late spring. Check the current year dates.

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

🏕️Accommodation Near Elliott Heads Bundaberg

Visitors have a variety of places to stay close to Elliott Heads. From caravan parks to short-term rentals, there’s something for everyone:

  • 🏕️ Elliott Heads Caravan Park (right on the foreshore)
  • 🏨 Hotels & motels in Bundaberg (20 km drive)
  • 🏡 Short-term rentals & holiday homes near the coast

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💡 Please note: Full names and emails are kept private — only your chosen Display Name will appear publicly with your review.

🍴 Places to Eat & Drink

Elliott Heads offers a peaceful coastal dining experience with a small selection of local cafés and takeaway spots near the foreshore. Enjoy coffee and breakfast by the ocean, grab lunch after swimming or kitesurfing, or head into nearby Bargara for more restaurants and bars — then share your favourite food and drink experiences below!

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🧭Plan Your Trip to Elliott Heads Bundaberg

Whether you’re looking for calm waters for the kids, thrilling kite surfing, or simply stunning coastal scenery, Elliott Heads, Bundaberg Queensland is a must-visit. With its river-meets-reef setting, family facilities, and breathtaking tidal landscapes, Elliott Heads is one of the most beautiful destinations along the Coral Coast. Add it to your Queensland beach itinerary and experience why it’s a favourite for both locals and travellers.

💬 Share Your Elliott 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.

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💙 Explore More Beaches Nearby

Explore more of Bundaberg’s Coral Coast:
Bargara Beach ➜ | Kellys Beach ➜ | Mon Repos Beach ➜ | Burnett 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!

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Last updated: June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elliott Heads beach patrolled?

Yes — patrolled during summer and school holidays by Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club. Always swim between the flags when lifeguards are on duty.

Is Elliott Heads dog friendly?

Yes — on-leash in designated areas with signed off-leash zones nearby. Always clean up after your dog and respect nesting shorebirds.

Is Elliott Heads good for kite surfing?

Excellent — one of the best kite surfing spots on the Bundaberg coast thanks to consistent sea breezes, wide open space and the river mouth setting.

How far is Elliott Heads from Bundaberg?

Approximately 15–20 minutes’ drive south-east of Bundaberg CBD via Elliott Heads Road.

Can you swim at Elliott Heads?

Yes — calm river shallows are ideal for families, while the main beach offers surfing and swimming (always check conditions and flags).