The town of Burleigh (centred at ) was surveyed by on 18 November 1871 by surveyor G.L. Pratten. On 27 May 1872 the Queensland Government announced the sale of town lots in Burleigh would take place on 2 July 1872 at the Lands Office in Beenleigh. On offer were 65 suburban lots ranging from and 19 country lots ranging from on or near Tallebudgera Creek. On 2 April 1873 at the Lands Office in Beenleigh a further 40 suburban lots mostly about were offered for sale.