Burleigh Beach is my favourite beach on the Gold Coast – ask most locals, and they’d likely agree. Most tourists still flock to Surfers, although Burleigh is booming these days, the once sleepy little beach ‘burb still has easygoing charm to go with its extraordinary natural beauty.

With a wide, deep beach of soft white spend, not a speck of litter in sight and sweeping views of the Surfers Paradise skyline in the distance, it’s easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

A the end of 2020, I spent a little bit of time on the Gold Coast. After moving back to Australia from New York City, it was the perfect welcome home. Surrounded by friendly, laidback people, basking in the sunshine and with nowhere in particular to be for a coupe of days, I had the best time beach-hopping and re-acquainting myself with the beautiful corner of the world that was the backdrop to a significant chunk of my childhood, growing up in Brisbane.

David and I visited Burleigh a few times, first for the beach and to laze about on the headland, as we watched the surfers and pinched ourselves that we were finally home. A few days later, we went back for a short but steep hike with David’s parents through Burleigh Head National Park, which is their favourite Gold Coast hike. After spending a small fortune to spend a few days in The Hamptons only a few weeks before, I was bowled over by how beautiful and accessible the Gold Coast is.

I’ll share more photos from this Gold Coast trip soon, including the hike, but tonight, from lockdown in Melbourne, I couldn’t help sharing these ones of Burleigh right away.

Explore More: Gold Coast Travel Guide

See More: Itinerary for One Month in Australia (East Coast)