The Hancock family established a homestead and farm at the foot of the Adelaide Hills in the mid 19th century.

In 1917, 400 acres (1.6 km2) of the property was purchased by the South Australian Government and a tuberculosis sanatorium was built.

Initially housing World War I soldiers the sanatorium was expanded until, by 1924, it had 74 beds and was a self-supporting farm with pigs, chickens, orchards and grain production.

Burbank Post Office opened on 26 September 1961 and was renamed Bedford Park in 1966, before closing in 1980.

The greater part of the suburb lies within the City of Mitcham, but the north west corner lies within the City of Marion where the Warriparinga wetlands and Living Kaurna Cultural Centre are located beside the Sturt River.