Tawau Hills National Park

Tawau Hills National Park came into being in 1997 mainly to protect the 7 rivers that are confined largely or entirely within the park boundary. This water catchment provides an important continuous water supply for the area that surrounds Tawau and Semporna. Administered by Sabah Park, Tawau Hills covers 280km square and is situated 25km northwest of Tawau, the third largest town in the state of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo.

Tawau Hills Park presents an uneven volcanic landscape with 3 main peaks in the Park, Mount Maria – 1067m, Mount Lucia - 1189m, and the tallest of which is Mount Magdalena at 1310m. The park functions as a corridor between other forest reserves, Ulu Kalumpang in the north and Mount Andrassy Forest Reserve to the south. Bordering the park on the east and west are palm oil, cacao and rubber plantations.

There are numerous hiking trails throughout the park some leading to waterfalls such as the Table Waterfall which has formed a little pool at its base that is suitable for swimming. For the more adventurous the park offers a 2 day hike up to the top of Mount Magdalena. There is a natural sulphuric hot spring in which to soak your weary bones after the climb that are accessible by a trail 3 hours from the park’s main entrance.