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. 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 ==