Maroubra to Coogee
You might know this walk as the Coogee to Maroubra coastal walk but it’s the same walk, just the other way around. You can walk this route in either direction or both, it really doesn’t matter.
I prefer to begin in Maroubra where parking is generally easier to find and to end in Coogee where there’s a greater choice of coffee and breakfast spots.
Good to know
If you’re starting in Maroubra, there is free parking at the beach front or in Arthur Byrne Reserve and further north along Marine Parade or at Jack Vanney Reserve. (I started from here). If you’re starting in Coogee, try Neptune Street or Wolseley Road at Trenerry Reserve.
if you can time your walk with low tide, so much the better. At low tide you can skip a bit of the suburban street section and walk along the rocky shore instead. Both the low and high tide trails are shown on the map above.
This is not a long walk but there is very little shade so take a hat.
If you’re walking one way, the 350 bus will get back to the start in less than twenty minutes.
If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you could tack this trail on to the end (or start) of the Bondi to Coogee Walk or the Malabar Headland Walk
Maroubra Beach
Maroubra Beach is one km long bordered at one end by the beautiful Malabar headland and at the other by Jack Vanney Reserve. It is one of the most popular surfing beaches in Sydney owing to a consistently good swell and favourable wave conditions. But the beach can also be very dangerous so best to swim between the flags.
Aside from the waves, the beach also hosts a large playground, outdoor gym and skate park, and there are free barbecues and plenty of places to picnic in the surrounding park. There are also toilets, showers, a kiosk and cafe and plenty of other eating options nearby in Marine Parade.
Maroubra is generally less busy than the more trendy beaches further north and the bushland backdrop provides a thriving habitat for native birds and flowers.
Mahon Pool to Cuzco St
Jack Vanney Reserve is where I parked my car and where the trail on the map begins. The view from here will give you an idea of what you’re in for along the way.
Looking down from the reserve you’ll see Mahon Pool, an ocean pool about 30 metres long, set into the rocks. This is a beautiful spot, and especially so if you’re here at sunrise. Mahon Pool has been here since the 1930’s and each day it witnesses the calm and chaos of the changing tides, so check these if you’re planning a swim. Incidentally, Mahon Pool is said to be a favourite training spot for the Sydney Swans.
A little further along from Mahon pool is Mistral Point. The views from here are outstanding, especially if you step off the path a bit and head out to the point to take in the stunning cliff faces and surrounding panorama
Where you go next will depend in the tides and the two options are outlined below.
If the tide is up it’s not worth taking the risk. Sure, you’ll have to leave the view behind for a bit, but its only a couple of blocks
Low tide route
If you’ve timed it right, this is the preferred route. A set of stairs not far from the Mistral Point will take you down to the water’s edge and along the rocks to the staircase at Liguria Street (between numbers 35 and 37 if your looking for access at the other end)
As you step, hopping over pretty rock pools and admiring the patterns in the hanging sandstone, look out for the Rob Walker Rock Pool, a natural swimming hole cut into the rocks
To return to the main path, ascend the set of stairs which will take you up to Liguria St. You’ll need to walk up to and along busy Malabar Rd (only briefly) before turning right into Cusco St.
Low tide route Maroubra to Coogee.
High tide route
While the low tide route skirts the coastline, this diversion is only a couple of blocks and you can take a look at some of the nice houses that are popping up along this route.
Instead of taking the stairs down to the water, continue on Marine Pde then turn left into Lurline and right into Mermaid Avenue. Continue along this road until you come to Malabar Rd (a bit of noisy traffic here), and turn right.
Continue down to Cuzco St as for the low tide route
Cuzco St to Trenerry Reserve
At the end of Cuzco St there is a short alleyway (with stairs) leading down to Bunya St and back onto the coastal pathway
The Ivo Rowe Rockpool, another, slightly larger cutout in the rocks, is accessible via a set of stairs here if you want to take a look.
A pretty boardwalk section follows, with signboards revealing the history and ecology of the area. This section has wildflowers, mini waterfalls and wonderful views.
Listen out for frogs and birds in this area known as South Coogee Wetlands. This is a protected area home to vulnerable aquatic plants and various wildlife species.
Trenerry Reserve to Coogee Beach
Emerging from the boardwalks you’ll come upon Trenerry Reserve, a 24/7 Dog off leash park and a very popular one it is too.
You’ll find more great views up here looking north to where you’re headed - Coogee Beach and out to Dunningham Reserve, and south to where you’ve come from - over the cliffs and Mistral Point. Not far now.
As you near Coogee look out for Wylies Baths, the first of three swimming pools you’ll pass before you reach the hit the sand. Named for champion long-distance swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie, the pool is open from 7am daily. Wylies has a cafe and a fabulous outlook from the deck.
A little further on from here is McGivers Baths for ladies only. McGvers Baths is well screened form the surrounding area while still enjoying fabulous ocean views. It is the last remaining women's-only seawater pool in Australia and has been in continuous use since its establishment late in the 19th century. In 1995 the State Government granted McGivers Baths an exemption from the New South Wales Anti-Discrimination Act allowing it to continue to cater to women and children only.
As you leave Grant Reserve and head down to Coogee Beach you’ll pass the Ross Jones Memorial Pool. Built in 1947, this pool is poplar with families and children and is also a great place to watch the sun rise.
Coogee Beach
And on to Coogee Beach, the final stop on your walk, unless you plan to walk back to the start or continue on to Bondi.
Coogee beach is partially protected by Wedding Cake Island, and usually the calmer for it. This, and the fact that it is bordered by large grassed parks and picnic areas make it popular with familes.
Coogee Beach is bordered at one end by Grant Reserve and at the other by Dunningham Reserve. It’s worth taking a stroll along the length of the beach and up to the Reserve. The views from the point are spectacular.
This area is known as Dolphin Point in memory of the six members of the Coogee Dolphins Football Club who died in the Bali bombings of 2003. The bronze sculpture you’ll see here was created as a memorial and the names of the NSW victims of the bombing are included on an adjacent plaque.
It’s easy to see why Coogee is so popular when you consider the surrounding amenities and the number of cafes, bars and eateries nearby. The reburfished Coogee Pavillion is a popular spot, offering casual and fine dining options , but there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants along the main and surrounding streets.
If you’re heading back to Maroubra by bus, you’ll find the bus stop on Arden St which runs parallel to the beach.