Living in Burleigh Waters

Life around the lakes

Burleigh Waters sits inland from Burleigh Heads, with lakes running through its residential neighbourhoods. It’s worth getting to know this side of the area alongside the beach and cafés that usually come to mind when people say “Burleigh”.

Houses make up much of the suburb, with townhouses and other attached homes too. In the 2021 Census, 71.1% of occupied private dwellings were separate houses and 26.3% were semi-detached homes, terraces or townhouses. Those figures describe the housing mix at the time, rather than what’s on the market today.

Finding your way around

Get familiar with Christine Avenue, Whistler Drive, Reedy Creek Road and Classic Way. Caningeraba State School is on Whistler Drive, the Marymount schools are on Reedy Creek Road, and Treetops Plaza is on Classic Way.

The lakes include Lake Heron, Miami Lake, Pelican Lake, Burleigh Lake, Swan Lake and Silvabank Lake. They shape the streets as much as the scenery: somewhere that looks close across the water can take longer to reach by road.

For a public spot beside Burleigh Lake, start at Lake View Park on Jabiru Avenue. Some waterfront land is private, so don’t expect a walking circuit around every lake.

The weekly shop and everyday errands

Treetops Plaza on Classic Way covers a lot of the basics, with Coles, fresh-food shops, cafés, a pharmacy and medical services. It’s useful when you want to combine a few errands.

Ambarella on Santa Maria Court is another grocery stop, with a butcher, deli, bakery and café. Nearby Stockland Burleigh Heads on West Burleigh Road gives you another centre to shop at.

Our shops and cafés guide has more on these and a few places to stop for coffee or lunch.

Local schools

Caningeraba State School is on Whistler Drive. Marymount Primary and Marymount College are on Reedy Creek Road.

If schools are part of your move, check the exact home address in EdMap and speak with the relevant state school. Marymount has its own application processes. Arrange before- and after-school care separately if you need it.

The schools guide has enrolment links and questions to take along to a visit.

Getting around

Your part of Burleigh Waters will make a difference to the school run, commute and trip to the shops. Try your regular journeys from the street you’re considering, at the times you’d normally travel.

For buses, use your full address in the Translink planner. The Treetops connections differ from those around Burleigh Street and Christine Avenue, and some trips need a change of service.

See getting around for local bus stops, rail connections and the airport.

A bit of time outside

Lake View Park has a playground, picnic tables and a basketball practice area beside Burleigh Lake. It’s a simple place to stop for a picnic and let the kids play.

Deodar Park on Omao Avenue adds a BMX pump track and basketball court to the playground, with a designated off-leash area for dogs.

For a change of scenery, the beach and headland are nearby in Burleigh Heads. Our parks and walks guide covers the local options and a couple further afield.

Is Burleigh Waters a good fit?

If you like having neighbourhood parks, schools and everyday shopping close to home, Burleigh Waters is worth a look. If walking to the surf each morning is the priority, compare the route from the actual home with the coastal addresses you’re considering.

Spend some time around the places you’d use regularly. Visit a park, do a grocery shop and try the trip to work. You’ll get a better feel for living here than you would from a drive through on the way to the beach.

Still weighing up the two suburbs? Read Waters or Heads? For the practical side of relocating, there’s the moving guide.

Common questions