Ju Ju's Beach

Baltimore on Marina Dr is a versatile spot praised for its great coffee and vegan-friendly menu, serving breakfast through dinner in a casual setting with outdoor seating. For wood-fired pizzas, HIVE PIZZA on Zunker St delivers crispy bases and a relaxed vibe, ideal for family dinners or takeout. Lighthouse Hotel Motel stands out as a local favorite, offering pub classics like schnitzels and seafood alongside cold beers in a lively beer garden.

While Sea Gypsy Boutique Cafe and Blue Water Club are listed, recent data shows the former as permanently closed, but the area retains a focus on fresh, local ingredients. Foodies appreciate Baltimore’s Thai beef salad and Lighthouse’s rack of ribs, though some recent reviews note occasional inconsistencies in portion sizes at the latter.

Lighthouse Hotel Motel on Zunker St combines affordable accommodations with a popular restaurant and bar, featuring accessible rooms and free parking. Burnett Heads Holiday Park, just 0.2 miles away, offers caravan and cabin stays with a 4.3-star rating for its clean facilities and proximity to the beach.

Nearby Bargara (5 miles south) provides additional options like Kacy’s Bargara Beach Motel for budget travelers and Discovery Parks - Bargara for family-friendly cabins. While Burnett Riverside Hotel isn’t detailed in current listings, Lighthouse remains the most reviewed in-town option, praised for its friendly service despite occasional kitchen hiccups.

Ju Ju's Beach provides basic amenities, including restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground, catering to families and casual visitors. The absence of showers or rental equipment emphasizes its low-key, self-sufficient vibe.

No lifeguards patrol the beach, requiring swimmers to exercise caution. The well-maintained playground adjacent to the sand allows parents to relax while children play, though shade is limited—packing a beach umbrella is recommended.

Swimming and snorkeling are top draws in Ju Ju’s calm waters, with occasional fish sightings near rocky outcrops. Anglers frequent the shoreline and nearby Burnett River mouth for bream and flathead.

Families often combine beach days with playground visits, while adventurers explore the historic lighthouses or take short drives to Bargara’s more active surf breaks. Night fishing under the stars is a local pastime, though jellyfish presence occasionally requires caution.

While the beach itself lacks ramps or matting, nearby restaurants like Baltimore and Lighthouse Hotel Motel offer wheelchair-accessible entrances and restrooms. Parking lots include designated accessible spaces.

The compact size of Ju Ju’s Beach allows those with mobility aids to reach the sand’s edge via firm pathways from the parking area. However, soft sand and tidal changes may limit direct beach access without assistance.

A free parking lot adjacent to the beach ensures hassle-free access, supplemented by street parking along nearby roads. Visitors report ample space even during peak hours, with the lot just steps from the sand.

No fees or time restrictions apply, making it ideal for day-long stays. Larger vehicles and trailers can navigate the area comfortably, though RV-specific facilities are limited to nearby holiday parks.

The original Burnett Heads Lighthouse used a kerosene wick lamp before electrification in 1925—its original lens now resides in the Brisbane Maritime Museum. Ju Ju’s Beach occasionally hosts bioluminescent plankton displays during warmer months.

During WWII, the area served as a lookout point for coastal defense, with remnants of observation posts still visible near the lighthouses. The beach’s name, while undocumented in official records, is locally attributed to a mid-20th century family nickname.

Burnett Heads’ twin lighthouses—the 1873 Old Burnett Heads Light and its active replacement—offer photogenic coastal history. The Burnett River mouth’s fishing spots and nearby Bargara’s surf beaches (15 minutes south) expand exploration options.

Local boat ramps near the river provide access for kayaking or sunset cruises, while the Burnett Heads Hotel serves as a social hub with occasional live music events.