Burnett Heads, Queensland


Burnett Heads is a coastal town and locality at the mouth of the Burnett River in Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia, located north of the regional city of Bundaberg. In the, Burnett Heads recorded a population of 2,656 people.

History

In February 1883, land surveyed by Charlton and Gardiner, licensed surveyors, in the township of New Bundaberg was offered for sale in the Victoria Hall, Bundaberg. The locality map advertising the sale also shows land in the Barolin Marine Township Estate to be offered for sale on the same day. The Maryborough Chronicle later reported that the Bundaberg town allotments sold well, recording the buyers and prices paid while the Barolin estate did not sell so well on the day. In February 1883 and Barolin Estate was auctioned by three auctioneers: Bryant and Co., John Cameron and W. E. Curtis. A map advertising the estate shows the estate to be close to Burnett River.
Burnett Heads Post Office opened by 1919, closed in 1924 and reopened around 1942.

Population

According to the 2016 census of Population, 2,656 people in Burnett Heads.
The town's most notable feature is its historic timber lighthouse, the Old Burnett Heads Light, dating from 1873. The structure, originally sited on South Head, was replaced by a modern structure in 1971; the original lighthouse was restored and moved to a local park off Mittelheuser Street. It includes the original Fresnel lens. The old and the new in contrast as removal contractors John Reid crane operator and son Stephen Reid, Keith Reid crane operator and Jim O'Connor crane operator from the harbour board, lift the original Burnett Heads lighthouse from its foundation from 1873–1972 is to be re-sited beside the Burnett heads hall as a monument to days gone by.

Events

In recognition of its lighthouses, Burnett Heads stages the annual Lighthouse Festival on the last Saturday in October.