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 Originally referred to as Jellurgal, Burleigh headland was of deep significance to the local Kombumerri people with the surrounding area being used for corroborees and dances.
In 1840, the headland was named Burley Head by Robert Dixon while he was undertaking a survey in the area. Towards the mid 1880s common usage of the spelling 'Burleigh' dictated a change of name to Burleigh Heads. The first hotel was built in Burleigh around 1883 and burnt down in 1887. It was rebuilt on a grander scale to accommodate the increasing tourist trade.
However, by 1903, Burleigh again faced a period of isolation similar to that experienced in the mid-1880s, but this time it was not entirely due to inaccessibility by road. The station for the new railway line to the Tweed was located at Oyster Beds (later to become West Burleigh) which was inland from the coastline. Few travellers were interested in an extra half hour of travel and expense to get to Burleigh Heads, therefore the main visitors were locals living in the Nerang / Mudgeeraba vicinity who would use the beach for picnics and camping at Christmas or Easter holidays. Burleigh's isolation ceased with the advent of the motor car plus the opening of the Jubilee Bridge in 1925. From those humble beginnings Burleigh has grown into a major tourist destination for visitors wanting to experience surfing and the famous 'Burleigh Barrel', or to soak up the sun in a friendly village environment.
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