Malabar Headland National Park is in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and with only an area of 1.77km², making it the smallest national park in New South Wales.

Understand

History

The area of the headland has been mainly used for agriculture since the European settlement. Later, the Europeans built residential and military buildings and also practiced shooting and equestrian sports on the site. During World War II, Malabar Headland was fortified for military defense purposes. The historic facilities are now a listed building. There is also a large target practice area on the peninsula called the ANZAC Rifle Range, which is still in use today.

Landscape

Most of it is cliffs and beaches with rocky surfaces, but the views from the landscape is amazing considering that most of the area is left untouched, it should be no surprise why.

Flora and fauna

On the headland, it is one of the few areas in the south of Sydney with its original landscape, with vegetation of different species in the form of banksia bushes, has largely been preserved. There are also small heathlands and other plants that grow on the sandstone cliffs .

Climate

The average temperature is about 17°C, but it is a lot hotter in summer, but it's quite humid most of the time, so the temperature shouldn't be too big of an issue.

However, the best time to visit the park differs a lot from the climate. Unusually, the best time to visit is around late May to early March, all for different reasons. From May to August, you can see their migration in going up north, and spotting a whale here isn't uncommon. In spring (September to November), the blossoming on the endangered eastern suburbs banksia scrub attracts many birds and thus, a place rich in wildlife. In summer, around late November to early March, it's nice to get in the water and have a swim, with Malabar and Maroubra Beaches being the most popular for swimming.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

Western section

Follow Anzac Parade, passing through Maroubra until you reach Pioneers Park carpark. Then, follow Pioneers walking track to the very north of the carpark until you reach the entry of the national park.

The park can also be reached from the south eastern bit of the Arthur Byrne carpark.

Eastern section

Take Anzac Parade to Maroubra from the CBD then take Fitzgerald Avenue towards Maroubra Beach. Turn right at Bernie Kelly Drive at the Arthur Byrne Reserve

Note that the eastern section of the park is closed whenever the ANZAC rifle range is in operation.

Fees and permits

No fees. The only restrictions are that the eastern section is closed when the ANZAC rifle range is in operation.

Get around

Walking is your only way of getting around.

See

• 1 Boora Point (Southern tip of Boora Point Walking Track). (updated Jul 2021)
• Whales. During the months between May to November, you can see some whales doing their yearly migration up north for the winter and coming back south for the summer. (updated Jul 2021)

Do

• 1 Western Escarpment walking track. 1 km (0.62 mi) trail one way, and takes about 20-30 minutes to do, rich with birdlife along the way and one of the last unspoiled bushlands of the eastern suburbs of Sydney. (updated Jul 2021)
• 2 Boora Point walking track. A hidden gem for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney CBD. Popular for whale watching in May-November. (updated Jul 2021)

Eat

No restaurants or cafes here. All in either Malabar or Maroubra.

Sleep

There are no places to sleep within the park. The nearest are within the suburbs of Malabar or Maroubra but even having the stay at the CBD isn't too big of a problem.

Stay safe

Snakes are quite prone in the park so watch out.

Go next

• Kamay Botany Bay National Park