🔍

Burrum Heads

QLD 4659 • Rest of QLD

2,538
Population (2021)
$42,380
Median Household Income
44.48 km²
Area
$305/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetireesBeachsideAffordable

About Burrum Heads

Burrum Heads is a small coastal locality on the Fraser Coast in Queensland, situated at the mouth of the Burrum River where it meets the sea approximately 30 kilometres north of Hervey Bay. The township occupies a 44 square kilometre area at a low elevation of just 2 metres above sea level, giving it a distinctly relaxed, beachside character. With around 2,538 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, Burrum Heads falls under the Fraser Coast Regional Council and serves as a quiet seaside escape from the larger regional centre of Hervey Bay. The area is known for its calm waters and natural beauty, with Burrum Coast National Park flanking the surrounding coastline.

Burrum Heads is beloved by retirees, holidaymakers, and fishing enthusiasts who are drawn to its peaceful river mouth setting, good fishing, and safe swimming beaches. The community has a relaxed pace of life with caravan parks, a boat ramp, and local facilities catering primarily to a holiday and retirement crowd. The Burrum River is popular for boating, crabbing, and kayaking, and the national park provides excellent bushwalking and birdwatching opportunities. While amenities are limited within the township itself, the larger services of Hervey Bay are easily accessible within a short drive along the Isis Highway.

Burrum Heads falls under postcode 4659 and is governed by Fraser Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Maryborough electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4659
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Fraser Coast
Federal Electorate
Hinkler
State Electorate
Maryborough
Type
Rural
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-25.22°, 152.61°
Statistical Area
Rest of QLD
Area
44.48 km²
Elevation
2m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$305
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,348
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
64 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.3%

3 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • TransLink regional services — Hervey Bay / Maryborough 30-40 min to Hervey Bay

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
290 km
By Train
No direct rail; nearest station is Maryborough West (~30km)
By Car (Peak)
3 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hours

🛣️ Bruce Highway is the main route; Hervey Bay Airport offers regional flights

Walkability Car Dependent

Small township; most daily needs require travel to Hervey Bay

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Fraser Coast Local Government Area, which contains Burrum Heads. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
481 / 100k
2yr Down 53.5% 10yr Down 34.0%
Motor vehicle theft
244.5 / 100k
2yr Down 26.2% 10yr Up 144.4%
Non-FV assault
932 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 100.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
15.4 / 100k
2yr Down 21.1% 10yr Up 58.4%
Steal from vehicle
432.4 / 100k
2yr Down 32.4% 10yr Up 20.3%
View all offence categories for Fraser Coast →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,067
Census 2021
2,538
▲ 22.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$21,736
Personal Income 2021
$23,400
▲ 7.7% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$23,400 / yr
$450/wk
Household
$42,380 / yr
$815/wk
Family
$51,480 / yr
$990/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,000
Born Overseas 342

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 129
  • 2. New Zealand 77
  • 3. Germany 19
  • 4. South Africa 17
  • 5. Scotland 13
  • 6. Netherlands 12
  • 7. Philippines 9
  • 8. Malta 8
  • 9. Papua New Guinea 8
  • 10. Indonesia 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,213
Australian 981
Irish 280
Scottish 271
German 189
Australian Aboriginal 98
Dutch 37
Italian 35
New Zealander 32
Chinese 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,739
Both parents born in Australia
403
Both parents born overseas
222
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
56.9%
No Religion
33.7%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
43 (1.7%)
5-14 years
148 (5.8%)
15-19 years
58 (2.3%)
20-24 years
36 (1.4%)
25-34 years
93 (3.7%)
35-44 years
113 (4.5%)
45-54 years
237 (9.3%)
55-64 years
594 (23.4%)
65-74 years
784 (30.9%)
75-84 years
348 (13.7%)
85+ years
67 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Burrum Heads known for? +

Burrum Heads is known for its calm river mouth, excellent fishing, safe beaches, and proximity to Burrum Coast National Park, making it a popular destination for retirees and holidaymakers.

How far is Burrum Heads from Hervey Bay? +

Burrum Heads is approximately 30 kilometres north of Hervey Bay, about a 25-30 minute drive via the Isis Highway.

Is Burrum Heads good for fishing? +

Yes, Burrum Heads is renowned as a fishing destination. The Burrum River mouth offers excellent estuary fishing for flathead, bream, whiting, and mud crabs.

What national park is near Burrum Heads? +

Burrum Coast National Park surrounds the Burrum Heads area and offers coastal bushwalking, birdwatching, and access to undisturbed beach and wetland environments.

What is the average income in Burrum Heads? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Burrum Heads is about $450 per week (around $23,400 per year). The median household income is $815 per week and the median family income is $990 per week.

What is the age profile of Burrum Heads? +

The median age in Burrum Heads is 64. The largest age group is 65–74 (784 residents, around 31%). Around 10% of residents are under 20 and about 47% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Burrum Heads a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Burrum Heads is part of the Fraser Coast LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Burrum Heads? +

Burrum Heads had a population of 2,538 at the 2021 Census, up 22.8% from 2,067 in 2016.

How much is rent in Burrum Heads? +

In Burrum Heads, the median weekly rent is $305, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,348 (2021 Census).