Maroubra to Coogee
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A scenic coastal walk between Maroubra and Coogee with ocean pools, rock platforms, wetlands and sweeping cliff-top views.
Distance 5-6 km (one way) Time 1–2 hours
Steps 8,000
Level of Difficulty Easy -
Mahon, Ivo Rowe, Wylie’s and Ross Jones ocean pools
South Coogee Wetlands boardwalk and wildflowers
Low-tide rock platform route option
Coastal cliff views between Maroubra and Coogee
Coogee Beach, Grant Reserve and Dolphin Point
Cafés and food options at both beaches
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Aim to go at low-tide if possible so that you can take the rock-platform section between Mistral Point and Liguria St.
There is very little shade around so bring sun protection and water.
Some sections involve suburban streets (short).
Bus 350 connects Coogee and Maroubra if walking one way.
Free parking is available near both beaches (Arthur Byrne Reserve, Jack Vanny Reserve, Trenerry Reserve streets).
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 starting in Maroubra, where parking is usually easier to find, and finishing in Coogee where there’s a greater choice of cafés and breakfast spots.
The walk is great any time of day but early morning when the sun is just rising is especially beautiful. 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 below.
WALKING THE TRAIL
Maroubra Beach to Mahon Pool
Maroubra Beach stretches for a full kilometre between Malabar Headland and Jack Vanny Reserve and is one of Sydney’s most popular surfing beaches thanks to its consistent swell. But the surf 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.
Starting out from the Surf Club, head south to Mahon Pool an ocean pool about 30 metres long, set into the rocks. This is a beautiful spot, and especially so 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.
Mahon Pool to Cuzco Street (low or high tide)
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.
Where you go next will depend in the tides and the two options are outlined below.
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 rock platforms.
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.
Follow the rocks to the staircase at Liguria Street (between numbers 35 and 37), then climb to rejoin the street. A short section along Malabar Rd leads to Cuzco St.
Low tide route Maroubra to Coogee.
High tide route
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 blocksWhile 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.
The path rises to Trenerry Reserve, a popular off-leash dog park with expansive views north to Coogee and south toward Mistral Point.
Not far now.
Trenerry Reserve to Coogee Beach
As you near Coogee look out for Wylies Baths, the first of three swimming pools you’ll pass before you hit the sand. Named for champion long-distance swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie, the pool is open from 7am daily. Wylie’s has a cafe and a deck overlooking the sea.
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.
Below Grant Reserve sits Ross Jones Memorial Pool (1947), popular with families and another great place to watch the sun rise.
Coogee Beach
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 makes it a favourite family favourite.
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.
Dolphin Point in Dunningham Reserve commemorates six members of the Coogee Dolphins Rugby League Club who died in the 2002 Bali bombings. A bronze sculpture and plaque list NSW victims.
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.
If you’re keen to continue walking, this route links naturally with the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk to the north or the Malabar Headland walk to the south.