Tawau was once a small coastal fishing village under the Sultan of Sulu until it was ceded to the North Borneo Company in 1878. Now a bustling town for the cocoa and palm oil plantations industry, it is the industry leader in terms of research and development of cocoa. Visitors to Tawau must visit the cocoa estate at Quoin Hill to see a ‘chocolate’ tree and tour the factory to learn the fascinating story of cocoa. In fact, the crop is so important that every year, a Cocoa Festival is held, featuring colourful cultural dances.

Aside from its cocoa attractions, the town is also famous for its seafood, exported to Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and West Malaysia. The new Central Market on Jalan Dunlop near the harbour is renowned for prawns and fish. An interesting Street Market is held every Sunday morning on the corner of Jalan Apas and Jalan Kuhara. The open-air night stalls opposite the Sabindo Shopping Complex on Jalan Chen Fook is also another favourite.

As the southern-most town and main port of entry for Indonesian traders and migrant-workers, Tawau also enjoys a thriving barter trade economy and import of products from across the border.

The Tawau Hills Park was gazetted in 1979 primarily to protect and preserve the beauty of Merotai, Tawau and Balung rivers, covering nearly 28,000 hectares. The Park has several waterfalls, rivers and a natural hot spring, as well as trails through the forest where you will find a variety of orchids, monkeys and hornbills.

Shan Sui Golf & Country Club – 15km from Tawau town, this magnificent hideaway has a 18-hole championship golf course designed by Nelson & Haworth. It is acclaimed to their finest creation in Asia. US Golf Magazine ranked Hole 15 – the Creek, one of the Best 500 holes & Top 250 par 4s in the world!.