Explore Tawau's Ecological Treasures

Tawau, situated in the southeastern corner of Sabah, serves as a vital gateway to Borneo's unparalleled biodiversity. Our website showcases the unique ecological wonders of this region, from pristine rainforests to vibrant marine ecosystems.

Through sustainable eco-tourism and conservation efforts, we aim to preserve these natural treasures for future generations while offering visitors authentic experiences in one of the world's most biodiverse regions.

For readers who wish to go deeper, our UNDERSTANDING BORNEO series presents museum-grade, system-based guides that explain how Borneo ecosystems function  -  from forest structure and plant strategies to animal interactions and regeneration.

For deeper learning, our UNDERSTANDING TAWAU series presents a system-based introduction to Tawau's landscapes, ecosystems, wildlife, and human communities  -  designed for students, educators, and scientific orientation.

Forest Recreation

Forest Recreation

Membalua Forest Reserve on Tawau’s doorstep, where marked trails, clear streams and shaded picnic grounds open the rainforest to families and weekend walkers.

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Landscaping

Landscaping

How a tropical town plants itself  -  the roadside trees, public gardens and green corridors that shape the daily face of Tawau.

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Tawau Hills Park

Tawau Hills Park

Volcanic ridges, sulphur hot springs and some of the tallest tropical trees on earth, rising from lowland rainforest less than an hour from town.

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Happy People

Happy People

Festivals, foods and faiths shared across the communities of Tawau, where each culture keeps its own traditions and joins in the celebrations of the others.

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Environment

Environment

The air, water and land that sustain the district  -  and the pressures that shape how Tawau looks after them.

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Rivers

Rivers

The waterways draining Sabah’s interior, which carried forest produce, farmland and settlement long before any road existed.

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Dragonflies

Dragonflies

Twenty-one red species of the family Libellulidae, photographed and measured across Sabah’s ponds, drains and forest streams.

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Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

A community garden in Bandar Sri Indah where the orchids of Borneo are grown, displayed and kept in cultivation.

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Local Fruits

Local Fruits

The roadside stalls of Tawau, and the seasons of durian, tarap, langsat and the other fruits that arrive with them.

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Education

Education

From mission classrooms and Chinese independent schools to the institutions of today   -  how learning took root in Tawau.

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Health

Health

Hospital Tawau and the district’s health services, traced from the earliest clinics to the present-day referral centre.

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Flora

Flora

The plant life of Borneo’s rainforests  -  orchids, figs, pitcher plants and the largest flower on earth.

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Damselflies

Damselflies

The slender, weak-flying relatives of the dragonfly, introduced and illustrated from Sabah’s streams, ponds and forest edges.

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Spiders

Spiders

Borneo’s spiders indexed by family, habitat and river system  -  web-builders, hunters, harvestmen and scorpions, from two decades of fieldwork.

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Understanding Borneo Fauna

Understanding Borneo: Fauna

Discover how animals move, feed, interact, and survive within Borneo forests, rivers, and coastal systems  -  shaped by structure, resources, and ecological relationships.

Enter Fauna Systems
Understanding Tawau

Understanding Tawau

A system-based educational series exploring Tawau as a living region  -  where landscapes, wildlife, climate, and human communities interact across land, rivers, and seas.

Enter Tawau Systems
Insects of Borneo — stick insect, leaf butterfly, rhinoceros beetle, ant, caterpillars and beetle larvae

Insects

The insects of Borneo arranged by a simple field key  -  no wings, one pair, or two  -  so a beetle, a stick insect or a butterfly can be traced from what you can actually see in front of you.

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Why eTawau Matters

Tawau is more than just a destination - it's a living laboratory of biodiversity and a testament to the importance of conservation. As one of Borneo's key ecological gateways, Tawau offers unique opportunities to experience:

Join us in exploring and protecting this remarkable region.

The Wonders of Borneo

A Journey Through Nature & Heritage

Borneo's most stunning landscapes, iconic coastal landmarks, and natural marvels offer visitors a diverse range of experiences-from dramatic seascapes to untouched rainforests.

Majestic Coastal Landmarks

  • The Tip of Borneo
  • Tanjung Simpang Mengayau
  • Scenic capes marking the island's edges

Island & Marine Treasures

  • Pulau Tiga
  • Labuan Island
  • Semporna Archipelago
  • Marine biodiversity & pristine beaches

Geological & Natural Marvels

  • Mulu Caves
  • Bako National Park
  • Unique rock formations
  • Exceptional biodiversity

Rainforest & Wilderness Escapes

  • Ulu Temburong National Park
  • Dense jungles & eco-adventures
  • Canopy walks & river expeditions

Cultural & Historical Narratives

  • Indigenous heritage
  • Historical landmarks
  • Traditional practices
  • Cultural preservation