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.

The park is a mix of Dipterocarp lowland rainforest which gives way to thick mossy forests as the altitude increases and also contains some of the last remaining non-swampy land under primary forest in Sabah. The forest is rich in Begonias, Tree Ferns, Agathis Trees, forest herbs and over 150 species of Orchid have been recorded including the Elephant Ear Orchid that boasts the largest Orchid leaves in the world. Tawau Hills is a bird lover’s paradise, home to over 180 species including the Blue-Banded Kingfisher, Blue Headed Pitta, Lesser Fish Eagle, 6 species of Hornbill and 3 rare types of Pheasants. Mammals in the park include several species of Monkeys such as Borneo Gibbons, Red Leaf Monkeys, Grey Leaf Monkey’s and Macaques. Borneo’s largest and most beautiful wild cat – the Clouded Leopard has been spotted here along with Leopard Cats, Civet Cats, Giant Tree Squirrels and the slow moving Forest Tortoise. Next to the park headquarters is the Lucia Jungle Lodge that offers comfortable and economical accommodation set amidst criss-crossing streams. There are also idyllic spots for camping inside the park and picturesque spots for picnics. Those that wish to do the 2 day climb up Mount Magdalena have the opportunity to stay overnight in a hostel inside Tawau Hills National Park.