Justins Park

The rainbow lorikeets arrive uninvited and the ocean views stretch all the way to Burleigh Headland. That's the pitch, and it delivers. Justins Park sits on the foreshore next to the Burleigh Heads Surf Life Saving Club, a wide, shaded stretch of lawn with covered picnic shelters, barbecues, and a sandy playground that keeps kids occupied while adults do nothing in particular. The beach is patrolled year-round. The cafes on James Street are a short walk. Bring a picnic or fire up one of the free barbecues. Locals bring their dogs, their grandparents, and their leftover Sunday morning bagels. Parking is the one genuine headache, especially on weekends. Arrive early or walk in from further along the Esplanade. The undercover tables fill fast on sunny days.