Tallebudgera Beach

Tallebudgera Beach is undisputed as one of the most spectacularly scenic places on the Gold Coast; one of those places you see in postcards and daydream about.

This idyllic spot is framed by Burleigh Head National Park and Echo Beach on the north side, and the popular creekside swimming spot, marked by Neptune Royal Life Saving Club, on the south side. No trip to the Gold Coast is complete without a visit to this photogenic locale. 

Tallebudgera Beach (called Tally by the locals) is part of the World Surfing Reserve and offers a few beach breaks on the inner bar in low swell, and the outer bar during larger swell. Tallebudgera Surf Life Saving Club (or Club Talle as it’s known) patrols the beach between 8am and 5pm every day all year round. The safest swimming is in the patrolled area clear of the inner bar rips that can occur at Tally Beach. At the very northern end of the beach, you’ll find a dog-friendly area where pooches can play off leash all the way to Tallebudgera Creek.

While Burleigh Headland offers some protection from the north, the best time for a dip would be morning before any afternoon southerly breezes pick up. If you’re seeking calmer waters, you’ve not far to go over the dune to Tallebudgera’s blue tidal estuary - one of the Gold Coast’s most picturesque beach settings. The Neptune Royal Life Saving Club (originally established in 1928 as a women’s only club) patrols Tally Creek between 8am and 5pm every day from November to April and in Queensland school holidays.

Tallebudgera Creek’s calm water makes it a very popular choice for families with small children and it is also perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, which can be hired from All Coast Paddle Board Hire. Named by the traditional custodians of this area, Tallebudgera means good fish - a description local fisherman seem to agree with.

Tally Creek is a hugely popular picnic and barbeque area and its parkland contains public and disabled toilets, tables, shade structures and beach showers. There is also a large car park at the south side of the creek behind Neptune's, however, it does get very busy on weekends and holiday periods. There are only a handful of parking spots on the northern side of Tally Creek, so if you have the time and energy, consider parking the car at Burleigh Hill from where you can walk 15 minutes around the headland along the easy shaded Oceanview Track to the northern side of the creek.

This walk through rainforest vines and pandanus trees is spectacular and is frequented by bush turkeys and basking water dragon lizards. There is a second walking track in the national park, climbing the hill to the summit 88 metres above sea level, called the Rainforest Circuit. Brave this for the spectacular views over Tally south to Snapper Rocks.

Burleigh Headland (Jellurgul), rising up from Tallebudgera, is a sacred place to the Kombumerri people. The Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre is located on the north side of Tally Creek and serves as the Gold Coast's only dedicated Aboriginal cultural centre fully owned and operated by the local Aboriginal community. Jellurgal aims to preserve, promote and share Aboriginal culture and provides a unique tourism experience.

The Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park, perched on the west side of the Tallebudgera Creek Bridge on the banks of the estuary, is very popular with return visitors who relish the idyllic laid-back creekside lifestyle.

Club Talle is also very popular with visitors and locals alike who come to enjoy a first-class meal at the oceanfront restaurant, have a cold drink at the air-conditioned bar, and listen to live musicians on the deck. If you’re feeling peckish, the Custard Canteen bakehouse and café is a wonderful creekside option and is the latest venue from the owners of Bam Bam Bakehouse and Cubby Bake House in Chinderah. There’s an all-day breakfast and lunch menu on offer, however, you must try their hero offering -the Portuguese custard tart. There’s also a constant crowd of people around the hole-in-the-wall Neptune Kiosk seeking top-notch coffee and delectable baked goods.

By Michaela Lyons