It is approximately 9 km (6 mi) by road south-east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Randwick.

The Pitt administration concurred with Matra's proposal but declined to offer him the government of the intended colony.

[4] Landmarks include Heffron Park, a large reserve bordering Maroubra, formerly the site of a naval stores base in World War II.

Sydney Bus routes operate to City – Central Railway station, Martin Place and Circular Quay via Bunnerong Road, Anzac Parade (UNSW), and Oxford Street.According to the 2021 census, the population of Matraville was 9,925: 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

The most common other countries of birth were England 3.5%, China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) 2.5%, New Zealand 2.0%, Indonesia 1.8% and Ireland 1.6%.