Hugging a popular stretch of sand in Sydney’s south-east, Maroubra is a coastal suburb within the City of Randwick. Its name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning “like thunder”, in reference to the waves that break here. Maroubra has been designated as a National Surfing Reserve and encompasses the bushland trails of Malabar Headland National Park.
Things to do in Maroubra
If you’re visiting in the warmer months, you can swim and sunbathe on Maroubra Beach, which is patrolled throughout the year by lifeguards. In addition to a children’s playground, the beach area also features a skate park and an outdoor gym. There’s a kiosk at the heart of the beach where you can grab drinks and snacks, as well as several eateries nearby that include the Marini Cafe and The Bay Hotel.
At the northern end of Maroubra Beach is Jack Vanny Memorial Park and the Mahon Pool, an ocean pool where you can swim between exposed rock outcrops and cliffs. At the southern end is Malabar Headland National Park, which is renowned for its dramatic coastal views. You can stretch your legs on the Malabar Headland Circuit Walk that winds through the park’s natural bushland or visit the picturesque cove of Malabar Beach.
Maroubra is also home to Heffron Park, which provides a setting for cricket and football matches, netball and rugby union games, as well as soccer and Oztag. Kids will particularly love the Heffron Pedal Park, a miniature road network where they can ride their bicycles and scooters while learning about road safety.
Getting around Maroubra
Maroubra is around 15 minutes’ drive from Sydney’s CBD and around the same distance from Sydney Airport. Regular buses connect from the city centre to Maroubra Junction and travel throughout the suburb. The beachside area of Maroubra is ideally explored on foot.