The waters of Hervey Bay form the north-eastern and eastern boundary. The Burrum River forms the western, north-western and northern boundaries, while Beelbi Creek forms the south-eastern boundary.
The Burrum River section of the Burrum Coast National Park occupies over half the area of this locality.
The Isis River, Gregory River and Burrum River share a river mouth. Early maps of the location show the mouth of the river as the Burrum River. However modern maps sometimes name the mouth of the river as the Isis River.
History
The aboriginal name for the southern head of the Burrum River was Kolebore.
The Barbara and Jane, a 44-ton stern-wheel steamer commenced navigating the Burrum River in 1877 to transport coal to Maryborough from the Burrum coalfields. The Burrum coalfields were situated "about 18 miles from the mouth of the Burrum River," said the1903 Australian Handbook, "the bar at the entrance is sand and shale. The depth at high water is about 14 feet, with safe anchorage and deep water inside. Vessels of 8 feet draught can run up about.6 miles to the junction at the Isis River, which flows into the Burrum. If the channel of the Burrum Bar were deepened to, say, 8 feet at low water, it is said it would be one of the most useful harbours in the Colony."
Burrum Heads was originally called Traviston after the original owner Robert Travis. Traviston was renamed Burrum Heads in 1960, which takes its name from the Burrum River, which in turn is a word in the Kabi language meaning rocks interrupting river flow.
The Burrum Heads public library opened in 1987 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2013.
The opening of the Toogoom to Burrum Heads section of the Hervey Bay-Burrum Heads Road, by Hon W.A.M. Gunn M.L.A., Speaker, was on 26 April 1989.
In December 1991, Hervey Bay Uniting Church relocated a timber church building to Burrum Heads to be used for Uniting Church services, but also available for use by other denominations.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, the locality of Burrum Heads had a population of 1,737 people.
In the 2016 census, the locality of Burrum Heads had a population of 2,067 people.
In the 2021 census, the locality of Burrum Heads had a population of 2,538 people.
Education
There are no schools in Burrum Heads. The nearest government primary school is Torbanlea State School in Torbanlea to the south. The nearest government secondary school is Hervey Bay State High School in Pialba to the south-east.
Attractions
The town is a relaxed coastal community that welcomes tourists, many of whom enjoy fishing and boating in the locality.
^jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporate, Science and Innovation (20 October 2009). "Maps and resources | Burrum Coast National Park". Parks and forests | Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland. Retrieved 19 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporate, Science and Innovation (27 March 2024). "Using the marine parks app and maps". Parks and forests | Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland. Retrieved 19 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^jurisdiction=Queensland; sector=government; corporate, Science and Innovation (27 September 2012). "Declared Fish Habitat Area summary - Burrum". Parks and forests | Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland. Retrieved 20 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)