Gold Coast City Council responds to illegal campers on Burleigh Hill, Burleigh Heads

Residents are calling for council to take action over an “eyesore” illegal camper parked at Burleigh Hill for at least a month, living with a jaw-dropping $24m view.

Residents are calling for council to take action over an “eyesore” illegal camper that has been parked at Burleigh Hill for at least a month, living with a jaw-dropping $24m view.

A small white hatchback with a tent perched on its roof has taken residence of a car park out the front of the brand new Glasshouse Apartments in Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads.

Burleigh Heads residents said they had seen the car parked in the two-hour park for at least a month.

The Glasshouse Apartments boast a panoramic view of Burleigh Heads and Surfers Paradise, with one super-sized apartment selling for a record-breaking $24 million.

The Glasshouse Apartments at Burleigh Heads.

A Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) spokesman said council was aware of illegal campers in Burleigh Heads.

“Council completes regular patrols for illegal camping and other breaches of the local law,” the spokesman said.

“While we cannot comment on individual cases, people found camping illegally or sleeping in vehicles on roads or parks are educated about appropriate places to sleep before being asked to move on.”

Illegal camper parked on Burleigh Hill under the new Glasshouse Apartments for at least a month. Photo: Supplied

The spokesman said if the person was a repeat offender they could cop an $806 fine.

A Burleigh Heads resident said he was fed up by repeat long-stay offenders in the beachside hot spot, where parking was already at a premium.

“If I park there for a few minutes over the two-hour limit I’d come back to a parking ticket, but these guys seem to be immune to any consequence,” he said.

“They’re out surfing all day and their junk and bikes and boards are sprawled over multiple car spaces. It’s an absolute eyesore.

“They’ve planted themselves in one of the most visible, prime spots on the Gold Coast and it’s a disservice to those homeless that are genuinely doing it tough and just trying to find a spot to sleep.

“Ocean views aren’t really a basic human need are they?”

It comes less than three weeks after several rough campers were turfed out of their tent city in Carey Park, Southport.

Council workers seized their belongings and threw tents into a garbage truck.

However, within less than 48 hours, a dozen campers returned to the area.

Some campers told this masthead they had been on the streets for years because they had lost their home, had a marriage breakdown, women escaping domestic violence and even some foreigners who were without work.

The Carey Park tent city in Southport on June 17, 2025 before more evictions of the homeless occur.

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