Stretching from Toogoom and Torbanlea to Burrum Heads and Howard, the Burrum Coast takes its name from the Burrum River, where coal was discovered in 1863.
Experience the variety - from coal to coastal havens.
About the Burrum Coast
The township of Toogoom, a short 17km drive along the coast from Hervey Bay, boasts incredible fishing and boating. It’s also a terrific place for an adventure, like riding the Toogoom Mountain Bike Trails and it has a great restaurant located right on the water. Many visit to just relax on the beach. A further 18km further along the coast is the fishing village of Burrum Heads, where the Burrum River meets the ocean. Here fishing boats pepper the sea, providing a beautiful backdrop for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. It is also worth keeping an eye out for the turtles and dugongs. that make appearances in the area.
Anglers take advantage of the year-round fishing, and the real enthusiasts join the annual Burrum Heads Easter Fishing Classic. Many visitors drop in a line from the beach and off the rock walls, or head out in a boat to explore the ocean and river systems. There is also great kayaking and camping spots along the river.
Further inland are the Wongi Waterholes, a beautiful picnic and camping spot fringed by paperbark trees and 5km to the north is Lake Lenthall which is a favoured fishing spot, following major restocking programs in 2017-18 when thousands of Australian bass, barramundi and golden and silver perch were released into the dam. Both are about an hour’s drive from Hervey Bay, or 30 to 40 minutes for those heading north-west from Maryborough.
Our Top things to do
If you’re planning a trip to the Fraser Coast around the Easter break, you can be a part of a 3 day fishing classic that takes over Burrum Heads each year. The classic was started by the Burrum Heads Fishing Club back in 1991 and continues to grow each year with more and more avid fishers competing with their families.
A drive around the Burrum Coast calls for lots of water-based activities and you can’t go past the many parks, seats, beach spots and local cafes for a meal with uninterrupted water views. Whether you are packing your own lunch, want an iconic summer BBQ or prefer to have someone else do all the work for you – there will be something on the waterfront.
Saturday mornings are for finding fresh produce and other goodies on the Fraser Coast. If you’re basing yourself on the Burrum Coast, make sure to check out the Howard Country Markets from 7am – noon on the first Saturday of each month or the Burrum Heads Markets from 7am – noon on the second Saturday of each month.
H
ead to Howard on the Fraser Coast in July to celebrate the discovery of coal which happened on the Burrum Coast in 1863. The festival features the firing of the cannon, marching bands, a street parade and stalls from local community groups all coming together to celebrate the occassion.
A short distance from the beachside town of Toogoom, you’ll find the Vernon State Forest where walkers, trail runners and mountain bikers can get their adventure fix on the Fraser Coast. There are a number of different biking trails that range in difficulty levels to suit all kinds of experience levels.
When travelling through the town of Torbanlea on the Burrum Coast, make sure you make some time for exploring Bamboo Land. You can walk through 20 acres of landscaped gardens that are set on along the beautiful Burrum River. The gardens offer plenty of spots to have a seat and take in this relaxing oasis.
Dig into coal mining history
About 20km south of Burrum Heads are the former coal mining towns of Howard and Torbanlea, with their old-fashioned pubs and historical buildings. Brooklyn House, the one-time childhood home of Queensland’s first female senator, Dame Annabelle Rankin, remains a Howard landmark and a cottage built in the town in the 1880’s by coal miner and later Australian prime Minister, Andrew Fisher, is also still standing.
The Burrum coalfields were just the second to be exploited in the state and played a major role in the early development of the Fraser Coast region. Coal was mined in the area for more than 130 years between 1866 and 1997 and at its peak, the industry employed more than 400. Some 94 shafts and tunnels were dug. the Howard Power Station, which operated between 1951 and 1980, generated electricity for the entire region using Burrum coal.
The Burrum District Museum at Howard houses an impressive collection of memorabilia, and the annual Burrum Coal Discovery Festival (Coalfest) celebrates the area’s early history. On most market days in Howard, held on the first Saturday of the month, visitors can take a ride on wagons pulled by ‘Rusty’ the restored local coal locomotive which runs along a reconstructed track and tunnel system.
Another big feature on the country calendar is the yearly Torbanlea Picnic Races, which incorporate tug of war competitions, wood chopping events and fashions on the field as well as horse racing.