Getting active in Maroubra

Sydney is divided into ‘surburbs’ rather than ‘villages’, ‘neighbourhoods’ and ‘districts’. The suburb of Maroubra is in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, about 10 kilometres south-east of the Sydney Central Business District (CBD). There are about 27,000 people living in the suburb – now including you, as a resident of be.
Much of what Maroubra has to offer is outdoors. You don’t have to be an athlete or super-fit to enjoy the suburb. You can take everything at your own pace, but getting outside will be a good change of pace from the inside of your classrooms.

A good long walk in Australia is called a bush walk, especially if you’re walking through bushland (basically any land that mostly has vegetation on it). If you were to follow the coastline south from Maroubra Beach, you’d enjoy spectacular views across the South Pacific Ocean while going past beaches, golf courses and bushland. The whole trip to Botany Bay takes 5 hrs to hike 13.4 kilometres.
The coastal walk north of Maroubra goes across the rocks to Lurline Bay. If it’s high tide, you might want to go inland along the local roads. You can then head over past famous Coogee Beach, Gordon’s Bay, Clovelly Beach and end up at Waverley Cemetery with its amazing, peaceful views. You could spend nearly 3 hrs on this 8.5 km route.

Australia’s a great place to enjoy the water, but the conditions can be too rough for swimming. If you’re at the beach, always make sure you swim between the flags that are up for your safety. Or even better, take advantage of a special feature of Australia, the rockpool. Right north of Maroubra Beach at the base of Jack Vanny Reserve is the Mahon rockpool, a swimming pool carved into the rock with a beautiful wild view.

You could also take up sports like surfing (lessons are available at Maroubra Beach) and snorkelling. Renting a snorkel is easy, and if you’re trying it for the first time, the protected bay at Clovelly Beach is perfect. There’s a large wall underwater that stops most of the waves so the conditions aren’t so rough. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful fish you can see: squid, whiting and mullet, or perhaps the one of the famous Big Blue Groper that live there.

Less salty but closer to be. is the Des Renford Leisure Centre. At the corner of Robey Street and Jersey Road, you can take advantage of an outdoor Olympic pool, two indoor pools, and a gym where you can do yoga, Zumba and group fitness classes. Right across from the Centre in Heffron Park are Netball courts as well as a 2.1 km criterium cycling circuit. There’s a tennis centre up at Snape Park. Not far away is the ANZAC Rifle range, the largest rifle range in the southern hemisphere, just in case you want to learn to shoot targets!

All of this doesn’t even mention the sports and recreation activities available for students at UNSW. With over 30 clubs to join and a fitness and aquatic centre, the choices are yours if this is where you’re studing.

Your year of study may be just as active for your body as it is for your brain!