Coogee is located on the eastern boundary of Randwick City and is bounded by the South Pacific Ocean to the east, Clovelly to the north, and the suburbs of Kensington and South Coogee to the west and south. The suburb includes a number of attractions including Coogee Beach, Gordons Bay, coastal rockpools, parks and reserves, and the coastal walk (which extends to Bondi Beach).  Coogee gets its name from the Aboriginal word Koojah, which means ‘a bad smell’, most likely caused by the decay of seaweed washed ashore. However, its name doesn’t seem to have hindered its popularity as a holiday destination or a place of residence over the years.

The commercial area of Coogee is located along Coogee Bay Road and Arden Street (which extends along the beachfront) and contains many cafes and restaurants. The Coogee Bay Hotel is a prominent landmark on the corner of the commercial area. Bus services operate along Coogee Bay Road, Arden Street (forming a bus interchange location) and throughout the suburb and are the only form of public transport available.

Significant housing development occurred over the next century including Art Deco apartment buildings and 60s-70s walk-up flats. In the early 1990s Randwick Council and the State Government rebuilt Coogee's beach front and Coogee boomed.  Coogee is now one of Sydney's most sought-after suburbs. Easy access to the city, a stroll to sand, surf and shops and coastal walks make Coogee a desirable suburb for families.  Few of the Victorian mansions and villas remain today as many were swept away in the flat-building boom of the 1960s. There’s a mix of older-style apartments, new townhouses and apartments, alongside Californian bungalows, quaint freestanding cottages and double-storey houses with large backyards.

Coogee is a fairly high density suburb with a large proportion of residential apartment buildings (ranging from Art Deco apartments, 60s and 70s walk-up to modern apartments). Coogee attracts a large proportion of the tourists that visit Randwick City, influencing not only the character of the beach and commercial area but also the housing. A large proportion of the housing in Coogee is private rental and the population tends to relocate more often than the Randwick City average.

Coogee Primary School and South Coogee Primary School are the local State schools. Coogee Boys Preparatory School and St Brigid’s Primary School are also in the area. Coogee Synagogue Batory Kindergarten and Coogee South Before & After School Care are available for young children.