# Where to stay at Maroubra Beach, Sydney

URL: https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/maroubra/ · Region: Eastern Suburbs · Facts checked: 2026-10-09

A kilometre of surf beach in a residential suburb, 10 km from the city. Plenty of beach, very few beds: we found one hotel within walking distance of the sand.

The Southend Hotel, a pub with rooms a few streets back from the south end, is the only accommodation business we found within walking distance of Maroubra Beach: an 8-minute walk, with a 25 m climb home. It was about $100 a night when we checked. There’s no hostel. For more choice, stay in Coogee, a few kilometres north.

At a glance: 10 km south-east of the CBD · buses only · no train · patrolled all year · shark nets 1 Sep – 31 Mar.

## A big surf beach with almost nowhere to stay.

Maroubra is a residential suburb, not a resort town. The beach is a 1 km sweep of sand with two surf clubs and a park behind it, and in 2006 it became the second beach in Australia to be named a National Surfing Reserve.

Searches for Maroubra hotels mostly return places in Coogee, Randwick and around the airport. When we checked, the Southend Hotel was the only accommodation business within walking distance of the sand. Hotel Maroubra, up at Maroubra Junction, is listed as a hotel, but we couldn’t confirm it takes overnight guests. Most other places to stay here are holiday rentals in private homes, which we don’t list.

## Places to stay near Maroubra Beach

Walk = walking time and distance (not driving) along the walking route from the property to the nearest sand, at 4.8 km/h. Climb = uphill on the walk home (90 m elevation model, rounded to 5 m). Price band = one nightly price seen on Google Maps on 2026-10-09 ($ under $100, $$ $100–199, $$$ $200–349, $$$$ $350+). Nobody paid to be listed.

| Place | Type | Walk | Route | Climb home | Nearest end | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southend Hotel Maroubra | Hotel | 8 min | 620 m | 25 m | south end | $$ |


## Which end of the beach

- **North end.** The sand runs up towards the northern headland. Round it, near Mistral Point, Mahon Pool is an ocean rock pool cut into the rocks.
- **Middle.** Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club faces the sand, with Arthur Byrne Reserve, a long grassy park, behind the surf clubs. The cafés and takeaway are across the road.
- **South end.** South Maroubra has its own surf club and fenced dunes behind the sand. Past it is Magic Point, a headland known for seabird watching and diving. The Southend Hotel is a few streets back from this end.

## How to get to Maroubra

- **From the city.** There’s no train. Buses run from the city to the beach end of Maroubra. Plan the trip on the Transport NSW trip planner: times vary a lot with traffic. (Sources: [Transport NSW trip planner](https://transportnsw.info/trip); [Wikipedia: Maroubra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroubra,_New_South_Wales))
- **By light rail.** The L3 light rail ends at Kingsford, about 4 km from the sand. Change to a bus for the rest of the way.
- **From the airport.** About 11 km by road. There’s no direct train or bus, so most people take a taxi or rideshare.
- **From Coogee.** Maroubra is the next big beach south of Coogee. The coastal walkway runs between them, past Lurline Bay.

## Is Maroubra Beach safe?

- **Is Maroubra Beach patrolled?** Yes, all year. Randwick Council lifeguards patrol Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra all year round, and volunteers from the Maroubra and South Maroubra surf clubs patrol too. Swim between the red and yellow flags. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Lifeguards](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/lifeguards); [Wikipedia: Maroubra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroubra,_New_South_Wales))
- **Does Maroubra have shark nets?** Yes, from 1 September to 31 March. Nets reduce the risk; they don’t make an enclosure. Council lifeguards also fly shark-spotting drones over Maroubra through the year, and there’s a shark listening station off the beach. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Shark management](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/shark-management); [SharkSmart NSW: Shark nets](https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/shark-nets))
- **Water quality after rain** Stormwater runs onto the beach after heavy rain. Check Beachwatch for the daily pollution forecast before you swim. (Sources: [NSW Beachwatch](https://www.beachwatch.nsw.gov.au/))

## Is Maroubra good for kids?

- Patrolled all year, so there are lifeguards even in winter.
- Arthur Byrne Reserve, the park behind the surf clubs, has room to spread out away from the sand.
- It’s a surf beach first. On big days, stay between the flags or stay on the sand.

## The downsides

- Almost nowhere to stay. One pub hotel within walking distance, no hostel, and no beachfront hotel.
- No train. Buses only, and the light rail stops at Kingsford, about 4 km away.
- The Southend Hotel is a pub as well as a hotel. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the bar.

## FAQ

### Are there hotels at Maroubra Beach?

Very few. When we checked, the Southend Hotel, a pub with rooms an 8-minute walk from the sand, was the only accommodation business we found within walking distance. Coogee, a few kilometres north, has hostels and hotels on the beach.

### Is Maroubra Beach patrolled in winter?

Yes. Randwick Council lifeguards patrol Maroubra all year round. (Sources: [Randwick City Council: Lifeguards](https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/lifeguards))

### Is there a train to Maroubra?

No. Buses run from the city; the closest rail is the L3 light rail at Kingsford, about 4 km from the sand. (Sources: [Transport NSW trip planner](https://transportnsw.info/trip))

### How far is Maroubra from Sydney CBD?

About 10 km south-east of the CBD. (Sources: [Wikipedia: Maroubra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroubra,_New_South_Wales))

### How long is Maroubra Beach?

About 1 km. (Sources: [Wikipedia: Maroubra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroubra,_New_South_Wales))

### Is Maroubra good for surfing?

It’s one of Sydney’s best-known surf beaches, and in 2006 it became the second beach in Australia to be named a National Surfing Reserve. (Sources: [Wikipedia: Maroubra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroubra,_New_South_Wales))

### Is it better to stay in Maroubra or Coogee?

Coogee if you want a choice of hostels and hotels by the sand; Maroubra if you want a bigger, quieter surf beach and have a holiday rental or the Southend Hotel booked.

## Nearby beaches

- [Coogee](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/coogee/): the next big beach north
- [Malabar](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/malabar/): south, past Magic Point
- [Little Bay](https://sydneybeachside.com.au/beaches/little-bay/): further south

Ask a local: enquiries@sydneybeachside.com.au