A Local’s Guide to Visiting Elliott Heads
Where the river meets the sea, Elliott Heads is a small coastal town located near Bundaberg. Its rocky coastline, white sandy beach and dog-friendly zones make it a popular spot among tourists and locals alike. As someone who grew up in the Bundaberg region, here's my guide on how to visit Elliott Heads like a local.
How to Get to Elliott Heads
To visit Elliott Heads, you'll first need to travel to Bundaberg. I find flying from Brisbane to be the most relaxing, but travelling via Queensland Rail's long-distance train is a more budget-friendly option. Whether you arrive by plane, train or bus, Elliott Heads is a 20 to 30 minute drive from Bundaberg.
If you don't have a car, you can order a taxi through 13Cabs or ride bus 622 from the IGA on Woongarra Street to Elliott Heads. These buses only depart twice daily, Monday to Saturday, so you'll need to order a taxi if arriving later in the afternoon.
Dr May’s Island
Where is Dr May's Island?
You will notice I mention Dr May's Island more than once in this article. After you arrive at Elliott Heads, you might wonder where this island is located. As a result of the re-routing of the river due to a silt block, the island has been connected to the mainland in recent years. You can walk to this island by accessing the beach near Driftwood Cafe and Kiosk.
Restrictions are placed on Dr May's Island to maximise the breeding success of migratory birds between September and April. Signage located at beach entrances is known to confuse tourists, but it will give you a rough idea of where and where not to go.
“What once stood as a river abundant with life, is now a mass sand dune covering the landscape of Elliott Heads. ”
The challenges associated with increased ease of access to the former island and shorebird conservation have divided the community, especially given the dog-friendly nature of this beach. Ensuring your four-legged friend is restrained when necessary and keeping a safe distance from shorebirds and their nesting grounds can make a big difference.
Dogs at Elliott Heads
Elliott Heads is home to one of the few dog-friendly beaches in the Bundaberg region. Whether it's along the Coral Coast Pathway or near the river, you will see a lot of people with dogs. Your pooch is not allowed on the patrolled surf beach. As mentioned, there are restrictions on Dr May's Island; however, the beach surrounding this area is dog-friendly.
Where to Stay in Elliott Heads
Being less touristy than Bargara, Elliott Heads lacks grand resorts. However, this town is filled with holiday rentals and Airbnbs. Despite knowing the host, I've always thought The Beach House, with its ocean views and unbeatable location, is a great Airbnb for families.
If booking an Airbnb exceeds your budget, consider booking a cabin at the Elliott Heads Holiday Park. Although cabins are located opposite the patrolled surf beach, bush lies between the holiday park and the ocean. Depending on your cabin or powered site, you may not have ocean views. Regardless, the Elliott Heads Holiday Park provides a basic stay with everything needed for a weekend away.
Where to Eat
Although this small town is growing rapidly, there are limited dining options available. You can find a fish burger at the Driftwood Cafe and Kiosk near the beach and a roast or pasta for dinner at the local bowls club. Uber has also started servicing Elliott Heads, delivering food from Woolworths, Burger Urge and numerous local favourites.
You can buy a few essentials from the Elliott Heads General Store, but the closest grocery store is Coral Cove Convenience Store, which is a 10-minute drive away. For a more diverse range of restaurants, supermarkets and cafes, go to Bargara, a 15-minute drive away.
After shopping in Homely House, I suggest ordering a chicken burger from Bradlees Beachside Takeaway or having lunch at Rick's at Bargara. Before leaving Elliott Heads, you shouldn't miss eating a strawberry ice-cream from Tinaberries, which is a strawberry farm only accessible by car.
Tinaberries
Things to Do at Elliott Heads
Whether it's relaxing on the beach or having a lazy breakfast at your Airbnb, Elliott Heads is the destination for unplugging from the stresses of everyday life. Travellers looking for a quiet beach holiday, solo or with family, will enjoy Elliott Heads' peaceful ambience. Here are my favourite things to do while visiting Elliott Heads.
Walk the Coral Coast Pathway
Starting at the General Store, this path offers a leisurely walk along the Elliott Heads coastline. Perfect for a morning or late afternoon stroll, I suggest allowing two hours to complete this walk, depending on your pace.
During whale season, from July to November, you might even spot a whale or two during your walk as they migrate south. Unfortunately, this pathway does not connect to any nearby coastal towns. Regardless, strolling along the Coral Coast Pathway is a great way to start or end your day.
Enterance to the Elliott Heads Patrolled Beach
Explore the Elliott Heads Rock Pools
Walk along the Coral Coast Pathway or to the Elliott River Mouth, and you'll discover there are many rock pools in the area. I don't recommend trying to access the rock pools along the Esplanade as they are often located at the bottom of steep and rocky cliffs.
However, there are several famous rock pools with sandy bottoms near the mouth of the Elliott River, making them suitable for swimming. Some tourists struggle to find these pools, but if you walk along the beach towards the river during a low or half-tide, you'll soon discover them.
Picnic on Dr May's Island
There are many beautiful spots for a picnic at Elliott Heads. Whether It's a homemade sandwich or a gourmet cheese platter, setting up on Dr May's Island provides a tranquil spot to admire local birdlife. Sitting along the river can protect you from bad weather as the sand dunes block the wind.
You will need to be environmentally conscious during this activity to ensure you don’t disturb the shorebirds. It’s essential to be aware of your surroundings, and make sure you don’t leave rubbish behind after your picnic. If you are unsure about the restrictions on Dr May’s Island during your stay, a picnic at the patrolled surf beach is a great alternative.
Elliott Heads Patrolled Surf Beach
SUP, Surf or Swim
Depending on the conditions, you can spend all day surfing, swimming or stand up paddle boarding (SUP) at Elliott Heads. Most people take their surfboard to Bargara or Mon Repo. However, the waves are smaller and less crowded at Elliott Heads, making this beach perfect for beginner surfers and SUP boarders. Even though you will need a longboard to catch a wave, northerly winds bring slightly larger swell to Elliott Heads.
With little wind during Winter, you'll usually find the ocean is very flat and almost like glass, making it perfect conditions for SUP boarders and kayakers. Be mindful of surfing, SUPing or kayaking at the patrolled surf beach as you are not allowed to enjoy these activities between the red and yellow flags. If you aren't interested in surfing or SUP boarding, there is nothing wrong with going for a quick dip at the surf beach or the river.
Snorkelling at Lady Musgrave
Providing visitors with an opportunity to snorkel part of the Great Barrier Reef, tours can be booked through Lady Musgrave Experiences. For this activity, you will need to travel to Burnett Heads, another nearby beach town, and the departure point for these tours.
During your experience you’ll be equiped with everything you need for a fun day out, from snorkelling gear to lunch and access to hot showers. If you can’t afford a tour to Lady Musgrave Island, consider aligning your trip with turtle season from November to March,. This will allow you to book a Mon Repo Turtle Tour, where you’ll watch thousands of baby turtles take their first steps toward the ocean, a cheaper alternative.
Explore the Surrounding Bundaberg Region on Rainy Days
Rain is something that can put a dampener on a beach holiday like Elliott Heads, especially as there are no big shopping centres to escape to. Unless weather conditions become dangerous, I still suggest you go for a swim in the rain; trust me, it's invigorating.
For those who don't want to get wet, explore the surrounding area by visiting the Hummock Lookout, Bargara's boutique shops, or Mon Repos' Turtle Centre on rainy days. While it's not entirely protected from bad weather, I highly recommend visiting Alexandra Park Zoo in Bundaberg for days when the beach isn't an option.
You could also take the bus departing near the Elliott Heads Community Hall to Hinkler Shopping Centre, filled with enough shops to spend an hour or two. At the end of the day, I always think the best way to deal with bad weather is to throw on a rain jacket and embrace the fact you might get saturated; otherwise, you could miss some of the region's best attractions.
Whether you stay for a week or just a weekend, you will feel at home at Elliott Heads. It's the destination to relax, un-plugg and restore your mental sanity. Stay long enough, and you could even fall in love with the place, soon becoming a local yourself.
