Maroubra, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maroubra Sydney, New South Wales
Maroubra Beach
Population	30,688 (2016 census)
Established	1910
Postcode(s)	2035
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT (UTC+11)
Location	10 km (6 mi) south-east of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Randwick
State electorate(s)	Maroubra
Federal Division(s)	Kingsford Smith
Suburbs around Maroubra: Kingsford Randwick Coogee Pagewood Maroubra South Coogee Hillsdale Matraville Malabar

Maroubra (pronounced mə-ROO-brə) is a cool beachside suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 10 kilometres south-east of the Sydney city centre. Maroubra is part of the City of Randwick local government area.

It's the biggest suburb in Randwick City Council, both in size and how many people live there. A central part of the suburb is called Maroubra Junction.

History of Maroubra

Early Days: The 1700s

Long ago, before British settlers arrived, the land was home to the Murro-ore-dial clan. These Indigenous Australian people were part of the Eora people. The name Maroubra comes from a clan leader named Moorooboora. His name means "pathway" and "initiation ground." It refers to a special path leading to a sacred initiation place at Boora Point. Today, this area is a national park.

First Settlers: The 1800s

In 1861, the first British house was built here by Humphrey McKeon. A street, McKeon Street, is named after him. More settlers came in the 1870s. They worked at wool processing factories near the northern part of the bay.

The Hereward Shipwreck

Maroubra Beach, Kerry and Co., c.1900

The Hereward wrecked on Maroubra Beach, May 1898

Maroubra first became famous on May 6, 1898. A large iron ship called the Hereward was caught in a strong storm. It crashed at the northern end of Maroubra Beach. The ship was on its way to Newcastle.

The shipwreck stayed on the beach for years. People tried to float it again but failed. Over time, the ocean slowly washed the wreck away. By 1937, only a small part was visible. In 1950, the local council worried it was dangerous for swimmers. They blasted the remains, and by 1967, it seemed like nothing was left.

However, sometimes when big waves move a lot of sand, parts of the Hereward appear again! In March 2013, after huge seas, large sections of the ship's metal hull and other pieces were uncovered. Hereward Street in Maroubra is named after this famous shipwreck.

Growing Up: The 1900s

Maroubra subdivision plan from 1918

Maroubra really started to grow in the 1910s. A real estate developer named Herbert Dudley divided the land into blocks for houses. He also helped extend the tramline to Maroubra Junction in 1912. He built Dudley's Emporium there, which was a big shopping centre. The tram line reached Maroubra Beach in 1921.

Between 1925 and 1934, there was a race track called the Olympia Motor Speedway in South Maroubra. It was a concrete track, but it was very dangerous. Several people died there, so it closed after only nine years. Later, Coral Sea Park and nearby homes were built on the site. This area was named after the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942.

Modern Times: The 2000s

In 2005, Maroubra was mentioned during the Cronulla Riots. Over 100 cars were damaged in incidents related to community tensions. In 2006, Maroubra Beach became the second beach in Australia to be named a National Surfing Reserve. This means it's a special place for surfing. It's also a great spot for beginners to learn how to surf because the waves are often friendly.

Shopping and Local Areas

Maroubra Junction: A Shopping Hub

Maroubra Junction is one of the main shopping areas. It's home to Pacific Square shopping centre. This centre has an outdoor eating area, supermarkets like Coles and Aldi, and many other shops. The local Australia Post office is also here. Other shops are found along Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road. Dudley's Emporium, the first shopping centre in Maroubra Junction, was built in 1912 and has been updated recently.

Maroubra Beach: Cafes and Surf Shops

Near Maroubra Beach, you'll find more shops and places to eat. McKeon Street and Marine Parade have lots of cafes and restaurants. There are also surf shops, yoga studios, a chemist, and a newsagent. You can also find the Maroubra Seals Club and The Bay Hotel here.

South Maroubra: "The Village"

South Maroubra has its own shopping area called "The Village." It has a late-night pharmacy and Maroubra's only Woolworths supermarket. The Sands Hotel is also next door. Every year, Christmas Carols are held at The Village and South Maroubra Village Green.

Places to Stay and Socialise

Maroubra Junction Hotel

Current Hotels and Clubs

• Glasshouse (since 1947) – This hotel used to be called the Golden Grove Hotel. It's on the corner of Anzac Parade and Boyce Road.
• The Sands Hotel (since 1972) – Located in South Maroubra, next to the shopping village. Locals still call it "The Sands," even though it's now rebranded as Southend Hotel.
• Maroubra Junction Hotel (since 1926) – This hotel is in Maroubra Junction, across from Pacific Square.
• Ocean View Tavern (since 2010) – This place used to be the Maroubra Bay Hotel. It was updated and reopened. Around 2017, it was renamed The Bay Hotel.
• Juniors @ The Junction (since 2009) – This club was formed when the South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club merged with the Maroubra Returned and Services League (RSL) Club. It's on Anzac Parade.

Past Hotels and Clubs

• Maroubra Bay Hotel (1926–2010) – This hotel was very popular after World War I. It closed in 2010 but later reopened as The Bay Hotel.
• Trade Winds (1984–2002) – This hotel in Maroubra Junction was turned into apartments in 2002. It was a major place for visitors during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
• Maroubra RSL (2000–2009) – This club merged with South Sydney Junior Leagues Club and reopened as "Juniors @ The Junction."

Getting Around Maroubra

Roads

The Sydney city centre is about 10 kilometres north-west of Maroubra. You can get there by driving along Anzac Parade, passing through Kensington, Kingsford, and Moore Park.

Buses

Buses run regularly through Maroubra. They are operated by Transdev John Holland.

Trams (No Longer Running)

Maroubra used to have a tram line! It opened in 1921 and went from Anzac Parade all the way to Maroubra Bay Beach. The tram line closed in 1961.

Media and Pop Culture

Maroubra is covered by local newspapers like the "Southern Courier" and "The Beast" magazine.

The TV show Heartbreak High was filmed at Maroubra Bay High School after it closed.

The German musician Edgar Froese even wrote a song called Maroubra Bay in 1975, inspired by his visit here.

In 1963, "Little Pattie" had a hit song called "Stomping at Maroubra." Also, in 1983, the music video for "Come Said the Boy" by Mondo Rock was filmed in Maroubra.

Sports and Fun Activities

Maroubra is home to many sports teams. The famous NRL club, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, is linked to the area. Other teams include the Maroubra Lions, Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, and various surfing clubs.

There are also winter swimming clubs, like the South Maroubra Dolphins and Maroubra Seals. They swim at Wylie's Baths and compete against other clubs.

Maroubra Beach is a National Surfing Reserve, which means it's a top spot for surfing. It has hosted many surfing competitions, including the 2004 Snickers Australian Open, where champion Kelly Slater won. This event was even featured in the Bra Boys: Blood is Thicker than Water movie.

Other Events at the Beach

Because Maroubra Beach is so big, it's used for more than just surfing. In 2007, the Beach Cricket series was held here. Australia, England, and West Indies played, and Australia and England went on to the finals, also played at Maroubra.

Places of Worship

Wild Street Anglican Church, Maroubra

Christian Churches

• Holy Family Catholic Church
• St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church
• Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church
• St Johns Anglican Church
• St Edmund's Anglican Church (also known as Wild Street Church)
• Maroubra Baptist Church
• Salvation Army Maroubra
• Maroubra Presbyterian Church
• Maroubra Junction Uniting Church
• Maroubra Bay Uniting Church
• C3 Church Maroubra
• Maroubra Surfers Church

Other Faiths

• AuGuang Maitreya
• Kingsford Maroubra Hebrew Orthodox Congregation

Healthcare Services

Maroubra is close to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. Because of this, some hospital services are also in Maroubra. For example, the Maroubra Centre helps people with mental health needs. Maroubra also has an NSW Ambulance station on Mons Avenue, near the beach.

Schools in Maroubra

Current Schools

• St Spyridon College
• Lycée Condorcet (The International French School of Sydney)
• Maroubra Bay Public School
• Maroubra Junction Public School
• Mount Sinai College
• South Sydney High School
• St Aidan's Primary School
• St Mary St Joseph Primary School
• Champagnat Catholic College Pagewood
• Our Lady of the Annunciation Primary School

Closed Schools

• Maroubra High School (1962–2002): Its buildings are now used by Lycée Condorcet.
• Maroubra Bay High School: This school no longer exists; homes are now on its former site. It's famous for being the school used in the TV series Heartbreak High.
• Brigidine College Maroubra: This school moved to Randwick and became Brigidine College Randwick. Its old grounds are now a retirement village called St Brigid's Green.

Maroubra Beach and Parks

Maroubra Beach

Maroubra Beach is about 1 kilometre long. North of the beach, near Mistral Point, is Mahon Pool. There are two surf clubs at Maroubra: Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club and South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. Arthur Byrne Reserve is a park behind these clubs. You can find a skating park at the southern end of Maroubra Beach.

The name "Maroubra" comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "like thunder." This describes the powerful waves and sounds of the surf. The long beach and good surf make it a popular spot for photographers.

Maroubra has several large parks. Arthur Byrne Reserve, along the waterfront at Maroubra Beach, is very popular. It has a playground for kids, barbecue areas, and public toilets. This reserve also hosts the Oktoberfest/Fun Run every year.

Mahon Pool

Heffron Park, located between Bunnerong Road and Robey Street, is a huge park. It has the Des Renford Aquatic Centre with pools, tennis courts, sports fields, and a 2-kilometre cycle track.

Nagle Park, on Wild Street, is a flat park used for sports. It's also a popular place for dogs to run off-leash.

Snape Park, on Snape Street, has tennis courts and sports fields. It's often used for organised sports.

Central Park, at the corner of Cooper and Storey Streets, has a flat area with a great concrete bicycle track for young children. It also has playground equipment.

Coral Sea Park, south of Yorktown Parade, has flat sports fields and playground equipment at its south end.

Magic Point: A Coastal Gem

Magic Point

Magic Point is a coastal area in Maroubra, about 10 kilometres south of Sydney's city centre. It's a rugged area with cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Magic Point is known as a great spot for watching seabirds. It's also a popular place for underwater diving and is important for protecting grey nurse sharks.

People of Maroubra

In 2016, there were 30,688 people living in Maroubra.

• About 51% of people were born in Australia.
• Other common birthplaces included China (6.6%), England (3.3%), and Indonesia (2.7%).
• The most common family backgrounds were English, Australian, Chinese, Irish, and Greek.
• About 55.5% of people spoke only English at home.
• Other languages spoken included Mandarin, Greek, Cantonese, Indonesian, and Spanish.
• The most common religions were No Religion (28.8%) and Catholic (27.6%).

Famous People from Maroubra