Holiday houses in Elliott Heads

At the mouth of the Elliott River in the Bundaberg Region of Queensland, you’ll find the small town of Elliott Heads surrounded by rows of sugarcanes, fresh produce, and beautiful views of the river. Just 15 minutes from Bundaberg, Elliott Heads serves as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef with white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters fringed by coral cays, lagoons, and rock pools. Where the river meets the sea, the area offers both calm, still water for swimming on one side or diving headfirst into the waves of the Pacific Ocean on the other. The picturesque beach is a paradise for surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, and jet skiing.

Elliott Heads borders the Bingera National Park, renowned for its wide variety of birdlife and breathtaking bushwalking trails. It is an unspoilt base for exploring the southernmost islands of the Great Barrier Reef, and for swimming and fishing in the area’s national parks. Home to patrolled beaches for safe swimming and cafes boasting farm-to-table cuisine, Elliott Heads is where the country meets the coast. The Coral Coast pathway connects the locality to Burnett Head, offering stunning ocean views throughout the Bundaberg Region.

The weather in Elliott Heads is warm year-round with minimal seasonal variations. Spring brings comfortable temperatures, minimal rainfall, and inspiring art from local artists at Woodgate Arts in spring up to the long weekend in October. The wet season falls from December to February. You can also head out to the hinterland and marvel at the striking colours of fall foliage and flowers in bloom. While Elliott Heads lacks the harsh winters, the cooler temperatures are a great excuse to head inside one of the local rum distilleries to learn about the area's influence on this spirit.

Oaks Beach

Venturing beyond Elliott Heads Beach and exploring the man-made Oaks Beach is one of Queensland's best-kept secrets. Just 20-minutes from town sits this 200-metre stretch of secluded beach with quiet surroundings among the rocky coastline. You can swim in the warm water at high tide or build an epic sandcastle on the seashore at low tide. Fascinating rock pools, home to various fish and other wildlife, are ripe for exploration. Be mindful that patrols only watch over the beach on weekends.

Elliott Heads Coastal Pathway

Part of the Coral Coast Pathways walking track, the Elliott Heads portion follows the coastal pathway from Life Savers Park to Bill Stockwell Park. The path offers unique coastal views overlooking rural pastures as you make your way towards Seagulls Park. Paved footpaths line a two-kilometre stretch of coastline for everyone to enjoy the fresh salt air and site, including Submarine Look, a World War II tribute at Memorial Park.

Lady Elliot Island

A short 25-minute flight from the Bundaberg Airport, Lady Elliot Island is a paradise on The Great Barrier Reef, famed for its manta ray population. Once a bomb-testing site, this coral cay has been renewed through sustainable initiatives as a sanctuary for over 1,200 species of marine life. You can take a day trip to the island, go snorkelling steps from the beach, or join a guided walk around the emerald green island and learn about the native birds and turtle hatching season.