Burleigh Heads Markets Guide: Sunday Stalls, Miami Marketta And Local Eats
Burleigh Heads is one of the easiest places on the Gold Coast to plan a weekend around food. Two regular Sunday markets set up within the suburb, a street food market runs most evenings just up the road at Miami, and James Street, Goodwin Terrace and the Gold Coast Highway hold more good places to eat than most visitors can get through in a week. This guide sets out the market dates for October and November 2026, how each market works, where to eat between them, and how to plan a relaxed spring weekend that does not need the car every hour.
Key Takeaway
Burleigh Heads has two Sunday markets with different personalities: The Village Markets on the first and third Sunday of each month at Burleigh Heads State School, and the art and craft market on the last Sunday of the month at Justins Park on the beachfront. Miami Marketta adds a street food night market from Wednesday to Saturday. Time your stay around those dates and the weekend almost plans itself.
Market Dates To Note This Spring
Based on the published schedules, these are the Sunday market dates over the next eight weeks. Always confirm with the organiser before you travel.
1The Village Markets: Sunday 18 October, Sunday 1 November and Sunday 15 November 2026.
2Art and craft at Justins Park: Sunday 25 October and Sunday 29 November 2026.
3Miami Marketta: Wednesday to Saturday evenings from 5pm, with special events on its calendar.
Plan The Weekend Around Three Meals
A food weekend works best when not every meal is a big decision. Give each day one anchor and keep the rest easy.
1Market morning: Arrive early at the Sunday market, graze for breakfast and pick up anything for later.
2Casual lunch: Use James Street, a beach picnic or takeaway rather than another sit-down meal.
3One booked dinner: Reserve the beachfront or highway restaurant you most want well ahead.
Why Burleigh Heads Works So Well For A Food Weekend
Burleigh Heads packs its eating into a small area. James Street runs back from the beach as the main shopping and dining street, Goodwin Terrace sits on the beachfront facing the water, and the Gold Coast Highway strip between them carries a long line of restaurants, bars and takeaways. Most of the places in this guide are close enough to each other that a morning coffee, a beach swim, a long lunch and an evening drink can all happen on foot.
The suburb also suits mixed groups. Some people want a beach morning, others want the markets, and someone always wants to sit somewhere quiet with a coffee and a book. Burleigh lets a group split up for a few hours and meet again for lunch without anyone driving across the city.
Spring is a good time to do it. The days are warming, the water is getting more inviting and the summer holiday crowds have not yet arrived. Markets are pleasant in the morning before the heat builds, and long evening light suits outdoor dining.
In Burleigh the markets, the beach and dinner are all part of the same short walk, which is exactly why it suits a food weekend.
Your Burleigh Market Calendar For October And November 2026
The two Burleigh Sunday markets follow fixed patterns, which makes them easy to plan around. The Village Markets are held on the first and third Sunday of each month, and the art and craft market at Justins Park is held on the last Sunday of the month. A children's design market at Miami runs on the fourth Saturday of each month. Here is how that falls over the next couple of months.
Sunday 18 October
The Village Markets at Burleigh Heads State School, 8.30am to 1pm. Third Sunday of October.
Saturday 24 October
Hide and Seek Children's Market at Miami State High School, listed as 9am to 1pm on the fourth Saturday.
Sunday 25 October
Art and craft market at Justins Park on The Esplanade, the last Sunday of October.
Sunday 1 November
The Village Markets, first Sunday of November.
Sunday 15 November
The Village Markets, third Sunday of November.
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November
Hide and Seek at Miami on the Saturday, then the Justins Park art and craft market on the Sunday.
The weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October is the standout for market lovers, because it lines up the children's market, a Saturday evening at Miami Marketta and the beachfront art and craft market on the Sunday. The last weekend of November does the same again.
Dates are worked out from published schedulesThese dates follow each market's stated pattern. Markets can be cancelled or moved for weather, school events or public holidays, so check the organiser's website or social pages in the week before you go.
The Village Markets At Burleigh Heads State School
Destination Gold Coast lists The Village Markets on the first and third Sunday of each month at Burleigh Heads State School, running from 8.30am to 1pm.
This is a design and lifestyle market more than a produce market. The official tourism listing describes more than 100 boutique stalls covering fashion, vintage, art and lifestyle, along with a preloved designer rack sale, street food and live music. Local guides also mention up-cycled crafts, retro furniture, homewares and handmade pieces from local makers.
For visitors, the appeal is that it feels like Burleigh itself: relaxed, a little stylish and full of things you will not find in a shopping centre. It is a good place to pick up a summer dress, a print for the wall at home, a gift for whoever is minding the house, or simply to graze breakfast from the food stalls while the band plays.
The tourism listing notes that a car park is available, but spaces fill on a sunny Sunday. If your accommodation is in central Burleigh, walking or a short rideshare is often less stressful than circling for a park.
When
First and third Sunday of the month, 8.30am to 1pm, as listed by Destination Gold Coast.
Where
Burleigh Heads State School, Burleigh Heads.
What
Fashion, vintage, art, homewares, makers, street food and live music.
Art And Craft Markets At Justins Park On The Beachfront
On the last Sunday of each month the grassy foreshore at Justins Park, on The Esplanade, becomes a beachside market. Destination Gold Coast describes it as always held on the last Sunday of every month, with more than 100 stalls of Australian-made products, fresh produce, food and live entertainment. Stalls cover jewellery, skincare, fashion, homewares, toys, plants and flowers from local creators and makers.
Brisbane Kids lists the Burleigh session of the Gold Coast Art and Craft Sunday Markets from 8am to 2pm, at Justins Park off The Esplanade. Its setting is the real drawcard: the park sits on the beachfront between the headland and North Burleigh, so you can shop with the ocean beside you and finish with a swim between the flags when the beach is patrolled.
This market tends to suit a slower morning. Grab a coffee, walk the rows, buy something handmade and then spread a towel on the sand. It also pairs well with lunch on Goodwin Terrace or a picnic in the shade of the park.
The two markets have different strengthsThe Village Markets lean towards fashion, vintage and design. The Justins Park market leans towards handmade gifts, plants and local makers with a beach view. If your dates allow only one, choose by what you most want to bring home.
Miami Marketta: Street Food Nights Just North Of Burleigh
Miami Marketta is the evening answer to the Sunday markets. Its own website lists it as open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm, with free entry on street food market nights, at 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami. Miami is the next suburb north of Burleigh Heads, so it is a short drive or rideshare away.
The Marketta describes around 15 global food vendors, a gin parlour and boutique bars, and free live music on its Cargo Stage. The format is simple: walk the stalls, order from two or three places, find a table and let everyone eat what they like. That makes it a very easy dinner for groups with fussy eaters, or for a night when nobody wants to cook or book.
Alongside the regular food nights, the venue runs a calendar of ticketed shows, comedy, drag bingo, life drawing, vintage markets and themed nights. At the time of writing its calendar listed Peking Duk on 18 October. Ticketed events need to be bought in advance and are separate from the free food nights.
There are a few rules worth knowing. The website notes a family-friendly laneway area, while some spaces, such as Mona Lisa's Lair, are adults only. Pets are not permitted; only guide dogs are allowed. If you are travelling with a dog, plan a Marketta night for when someone can stay home with them.
Miami Marketta is the night out that suits everyone in the group, because everyone orders their own dinner.
Fresh Produce Runs And The Children's Market
Neither of the Burleigh Sunday markets is mainly a farmers market. If your plan is to cook with local produce while you are here, two dedicated farmers markets run every Sunday morning further inland.
Brisbane Kids lists the Robina Farmers Market every Sunday from 6am to 11am at Robina State High School, and the Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market every Sunday from 6am to 11.30am at Merrimac State High School. Both are early starts, so they suit a group that likes to be up with the sun and back at the house for a late breakfast.
For families with young children, the Hide and Seek Children's Market at Miami State High School is a different kind of outing. Destination Gold Coast describes it as running on the fourth Saturday of every month from 9am to 1pm, with more than 50 designers showing kidswear and accessories, plus live music and food trucks. On the current pattern that is Saturday 24 October and Saturday 28 November.
Eating Your Way Along James Street
James Street is the everyday heart of Burleigh eating. It is where you will get coffee, breakfast, a casual lunch and a drink without needing a booking most of the time. Australian Traveller's local guide to Burleigh restaurants, published in July 2025, picks out several places on or right beside it.
Maman
At 49 James Street, a bright, all-white room serving Mediterranean to Middle Eastern dishes such as moussaka, za'atar chicken and Moroccan duck cigars.
Oi Izakaya
At 30 James Street, a semi-traditional Japanese izakaya with gyoza, sashimi, sushi tacos, sake and Japanese beer.
Hail Mary
At 26 James Street, a casual pastel Mexican spot with quesadillas, tacos and jalapeno poppers.
Freddy's
At 19 Connor Street on the corner of James Street, a takeaway known for roast and fried chicken, waffle-cut chips and milkshakes.
The useful thing about James Street is that it handles the in-between meals. A late breakfast after the market, a takeaway lunch for the beach, a quick dinner on the night you arrive: none of these needs a plan, as long as you are flexible about where you end up.
Restaurants on the Gold Coast open, change hands and change hours often. Treat any list as a starting point and check current trading hours, menus and specials directly with the venue before you go.
Beachfront Dining On Goodwin Terrace
If there is one meal worth booking well ahead, it is a table on the Burleigh beachfront. Three venues share the 43 Goodwin Terrace address, right on the beachfront.
Rick Shores is the special-occasion choice, a Pan-Asian restaurant described by Australian Traveller as perched right on the beach with its toes in the sand. The guide singles out its Moreton Bay bug roll. The same guide notes that bookings open two months in advance, so if you have a birthday, anniversary or celebration dinner in mind for November, now is the time to look.
Burleigh Pavilion is the beachy, casual option in the same building, with pizzas, burgers and salads, indoor and outdoor seating and ocean views. It suits a long lunch after a market morning or a late-afternoon drink without a big bill. The Tropic, at the same address, is the more refined sibling, with a seafood-forward Australian and Mediterranean menu and wide ocean views.
Book the one big meal firstBefore you lock in anything else, decide which beachfront or highway restaurant matters most and secure that table. The rest of a Burleigh food weekend can stay flexible.
The Gold Coast Highway Strip: Asian Flavours And Late Dinners
The stretch of the Gold Coast Highway through central Burleigh is where many of the suburb's dinner favourites sit, and it is particularly strong on Asian food. A few of the places named in Australian Traveller's July 2025 guide show the range.
Jimmy Wah's
Vietnamese at 1724 Gold Coast Highway, with soft shell crab banh mi, tempura oysters and caramelised pork belly.
Mr Hizola's
Contemporary Cantonese at 1730 Gold Coast Highway, with a moody fit-out of dark timber and lanterns.
ZuroZuro
Ramen made fresh daily at 1726 Gold Coast Highway, a casual, good-value dinner.
LimLay
Thai curries, skewers and hot pots at 1730 Gold Coast Highway, with takeaway as well as dine-in.
The same strip has Kin, a modern Japanese izakaya, Local Burleigh, an all-day spot with a kids' menu, and Justin Lane, a casual pizzeria with a rooftop. Further along, Light Years serves Asian dishes in a bright, busy room.
For a group, a good pattern is one booked dinner on the highway and one takeaway night from the same strip eaten back at the house. Thai or ramen on the deck after a long beach day can be one of the best meals of the trip.
Brewery Taphouse And A Local Distillery
Burleigh Brewing Company is the suburb's own brewery, and its taphouse at 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads, is a relaxed afternoon stop. The brewery's website lists the taphouse open Friday from 3pm to 9pm, Saturday from 12pm to 9pm and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm, with bookings not required. It also offers brewery tours, listed as Backstage with the Brewmaster.
The taphouse sits away from the beachfront, so plan a rideshare or a designated driver rather than walking from the beach. A Friday afternoon visit makes an easy start to a weekend, and a Sunday afternoon session pairs nicely with a market morning.
Familiar Spirits at 1/9 Calabro Way is another option for adults, with an on-site distillery making liqueurs and spirits and a menu of Italian-inspired share plates such as antipasto and ploughman's platters.
Timing A Spring Market Morning
October and November bring warmer, longer days on the Gold Coast, and warm afternoons can build into storms. Mornings are usually the most comfortable time to walk a market, and arriving close to opening gives you the best choice of stalls and the coolest part of the day.
Outdoor markets do not always stop for light rain, but storms, strong winds or heavy rain can see stalls pack down or a market cancelled. Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast and the market's social pages on the morning, especially if the forecast shows afternoon storms building.
Sun protection matters more than visitors from cooler states often expect. Check the daily UV forecast, which is published alongside the weather forecast, and cover up even on a mild-looking day. Hats, sunscreen and water should come with you, and a shady break in the middle of a market morning keeps everyone happier.
If the weather does turn, Burleigh still works. Cafes on James Street, a long lunch under cover, a takeaway feast at your accommodation and a movie night are all perfectly good ways to spend a stormy afternoon.
Arrive early, leave before the heat peaks and keep the afternoon for the beach or a long lunch.
Markets And Food With Kids Or Dogs
Burleigh's markets can work well with children if you keep the visit short and purposeful. Give older kids a small budget for one purchase, aim for the food stalls early before queues build, and plan a beach or park stop afterwards so the morning does not become a long walk past stalls they do not care about.
Dogs need more care. Rules differ between venues: Miami Marketta states that only guide dogs are allowed, and the published information for the Sunday markets does not set out a dog policy. Check with each organiser before bringing a dog, and remember that a hot, crowded market is not always comfortable for an animal even where they are allowed. Separately check City of Gold Coast rules before taking a dog onto any beach or foreshore area.
A good compromise is to split the morning. One person walks the dog on an allowed route while the others shop, then everyone meets for a takeaway lunch back at the house.
Why Abby's Burleigh Haven Suits A Markets And Food Weekend
Abby's Burleigh Haven is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhome in Burleigh Heads for up to six guests, and its location is the main reason it suits this kind of trip. The listing describes a two-minute walk to the James Street shops, bars, bistros and cafes, and a walk to Burleigh Beach in under ten minutes. That means coffee, breakfast, a casual lunch and many dinners can all happen on foot.
The house is also set up for the meals you eat at home. The listing describes a fully equipped kitchen with Smeg appliances, a large kitchen island, a family-sized fridge and an espresso machine with beans and grinder, plus a dining table that seats six. Outside there is a gas barbecue with a pizza stone, a super-sized outdoor lounge and a private tropical garden with a firepit. Market produce, a fresh loaf and a bag of prawns become a very good dinner in that setting.
For beach and park picnics after the Justins Park market, the listing includes an insulated picnic set with cups, plates and cutlery, a beach trolley stocked with a drink chiller, beach towels and sunscreen, and a cabana shade tent. Boogie boards and fins are included too.
The listing shows driveway parking and a single lock-up garage, so the car can stay at the house while you walk to James Street, then come out for the Miami Marketta, the brewery or a farmers market run. Pets are welcome, with guests asked to read the house rules and keep pets off beds and furniture. You can see the full details on the Abby's Burleigh Haven listing.
About this stay
Where Abby's Burleigh Haven fits a Burleigh market weekend
Abby's Burleigh Haven is a two-minute walk from the James Street cafes, bars and bistros and under ten minutes on foot from Burleigh Beach, so market mornings, long lunches and most dinners can happen without the car.
Back at the townhome there is a fully equipped kitchen with an espresso machine, a six-seat dining table, a gas barbecue with pizza stone and a private tropical garden with a firepit, plus a picnic set and stocked beach trolley for days at Justins Park. It sleeps up to six and welcomes pets.
A group of up to six works well here. The listing shows a queen bed in the main bedroom, a queen in the second bedroom, and a double bed with a single bunk above in the third bedroom, with an ensuite off the main bedroom and a main bathroom with a bath and shower. That suits two couples with a child, a family of five or six, or a small group of friends sharing a weekend of markets and long lunches.
Families can use the house as the calm base between outings. Younger children can rest in the afternoon while one adult goes to the market, and the oversized beanbag, books and large smart TV listed in the house give everyone somewhere to land after a busy morning. Travel cots are available on request, subject to availability.
Couples or friends who are here mainly for food can treat the townhome as the place to start and finish each day: espresso before the market, drinks in the garden before dinner, and a firepit evening once the restaurants close.
A 48-Hour Burleigh Markets Weekend: 24 To 25 October
Saturday Morning: Kids' Market Or Beach
If you have young children, head to the Hide and Seek Children's Market at Miami State High School, listed from 9am to 1pm on the fourth Saturday. Otherwise, start with a coffee on James Street and a swim between the flags when the beach is patrolled.
Saturday Afternoon: Long Lunch Or Taphouse
Have a relaxed lunch at Burleigh Pavilion or on James Street. Adults who want a beer can head to the Burleigh Brewing taphouse, open from midday on Saturdays according to its website, using a rideshare.
Saturday Evening: Miami Marketta
Make dinner a Marketta night. Arrive soon after the 5pm opening for an easier table, let everyone choose their own food and enjoy the free live music. Remember that dogs other than guide dogs stay home.
Sunday Morning: Justins Park Art And Craft Market
Walk down to the beachfront for the last-Sunday art and craft market at Justins Park, listed from 8am to 2pm. Shop early, then have a swim or a picnic on the grass using the beach gear from the house.
Sunday Afternoon: Barbecue In The Garden
Bring home market produce and bread, fire up the barbecue or pizza stone and eat in the garden. If you are staying another night, finish with the firepit.
A Village Markets Weekend: 17 To 18 October Or 14 To 15 November
Saturday: Slow Day, Booked Dinner
Keep Saturday easy with the beach, a walk and lunch on James Street. Use this night for your one booked dinner on Goodwin Terrace or the Gold Coast Highway.
Sunday Morning: The Village Markets
Head to Burleigh Heads State School for the 8.30am opening. Browse fashion, vintage and makers' stalls, and graze breakfast from the street food vendors while the live music plays.
Sunday Afternoon: Rest, Then Takeaway
Go back to the house for a quiet hour, then a late swim. Pick up Thai, ramen or roast chicken from the highway or James Street and eat on the deck. On 1 November the same plan works for the first-Sunday market.
Before You Leave Home: Your Burleigh Food Weekend Check
1Market dates: Confirm The Village Markets and the Justins Park market are running on your Sunday.
2Marketta: Check Miami Marketta's calendar for opening nights and any ticketed shows you want.
3Bookings: Lock in your one big dinner on the beachfront or the highway.
4Weather: Check the forecast for storms, heat and wind on market mornings.
5Dogs: Check each venue's pet policy and City of Gold Coast beach rules before you go.
6Stay: Check the live listing for bedding, parking, pet rules and availability on your dates.
7Pack: Hats, sunscreen, water bottles, reusable shopping bags and a cooler bag for produce.
The Village Markets are held on the first and third Sunday of each month at Burleigh Heads State School, from 8.30am to 1pm according to Destination Gold Coast. The art and craft market at Justins Park on The Esplanade is held on the last Sunday of each month, listed by Brisbane Kids from 8am to 2pm. Check with the organisers before you go, as dates can change.
What are the Burleigh market dates in October and November 2026?
On the published patterns, The Village Markets fall on Sunday 18 October, Sunday 1 November and Sunday 15 November 2026, and the Justins Park art and craft market falls on Sunday 25 October and Sunday 29 November 2026. Confirm in the week before your visit.
What can you buy at The Village Markets in Burleigh?
The tourism listing describes more than 100 boutique stalls covering fashion, vintage, art and lifestyle, with a preloved designer rack sale, street food and live music. It is more of a design and makers market than a fresh produce market.
When is Miami Marketta open?
Miami Marketta's website lists it as open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm, with free entry on street food market nights. It is at 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami, just north of Burleigh Heads. Ticketed shows and special events are listed on its calendar.
Can you take dogs to Miami Marketta?
No. Miami Marketta's website states that pets are not permitted and only guide dogs are allowed. For the Burleigh Sunday markets, check the organisers' current pet policies before bringing a dog.
Is there a farmers market near Burleigh Heads?
The Burleigh Sunday markets are mainly makers and lifestyle markets. For fresh produce, Brisbane Kids lists the Robina Farmers Market every Sunday from 6am to 11am at Robina State High School and the Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market every Sunday from 6am to 11.30am at Merrimac State High School.
Do you need to book restaurants in Burleigh Heads?
For popular beachfront venues and weekend dinners, yes. Australian Traveller reports that Rick Shores takes bookings two months in advance. Casual spots on James Street and takeaways on the Gold Coast Highway are usually easier, but check with each venue.
When is the Burleigh Brewing taphouse open?
Burleigh Brewing's website lists the taphouse at 2 Ern Harley Drive open Friday 3pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 9pm and Sunday 12pm to 6pm, with bookings not required. Check the website for any changes before visiting.
How far is Abby's Burleigh Haven from James Street and the beach?
The listing describes a two-minute walk to the James Street shops, bars, bistros and cafes, and a walk to Burleigh Beach in under ten minutes.
Can you cook market produce at Abby's Burleigh Haven?
Yes. The listing describes a fully equipped kitchen with Smeg appliances, an espresso machine with beans and grinder, a six-seat dining table and a gas barbecue with a pizza stone in the private garden.
Is Abby's Burleigh Haven pet-friendly?
The listing shows pets welcome, with guests asked to read the house rules and keep pets off beds and furniture. Check the live listing for current pet conditions before booking.
More stays
Other properties to compare
Explore other stays connected to this area, guest type or holiday guide.
This guide should help guests understand the area and the property. Keep browsing the guide library, or open the linked stay if this article is about a specific holiday home.
