Scarborough is the northern tip of the Redcliffe Peninsula in Moreton Bay, Queensland, about 35 km north of Brisbane. (Not to be confused with Scarborough in Perth or in England.) It has a big council beach park, a working boat harbour with seafood on the water, an off-leash dog beach and the start of the Moreton Bay Cycleway. Our holiday home is here, and this is our guide to the suburb.
Scarborough Beach Park
City of Moreton Bay’s Scarborough Beach Park, at 52 Landsborough Avenue, is the best place to start with kids:
- A fenced playground with themed “Railway Place” and “Pirate Place” areas and a cotton tree forest
- A jumping pillow: 7am to 6pm from October to March, 8am to 5pm from April to September (closed when wet or above 35 degrees)
- A basketball half court, and a giant chess set with pieces free to borrow for two hours
- Electric barbecues, shelters, accessible toilets, a water fountain and viewing decks
The beaches and the water
Scarborough faces the sheltered water of Moreton Bay, so there is no surf, and the beaches are good for a paddle. They are not patrolled by lifesavers: the patrolled beach on the peninsula is Suttons Beach in Redcliffe, looked after by Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club volunteers in the warmer months. For young children, Settlement Cove Lagoon in Redcliffe is a free council lagoon with lifeguards during opening hours.
The water is around 26 to 27 degrees in summer and 19 to 20 degrees in winter. The foreshore faces east, so Scarborough is a sunrise spot.
Scarborough Boat Harbour: seafood by the boats
The state boat harbour on Bird O’Passage Parade has a public boat ramp, Scarborough Marina, and three places to eat on the water:
- Tempest Seafood Restaurant: waterfront seafood with a teppanyaki grill, lunch and dinner daily.
- Moreton Bay Boat Club: restaurant, bar and cafe with a deck over the marina.
- Morgans Seafood Market & Takeaway: fish market and fish and chips since 1986.
For coffee, Sea Salt and Vine is at 2 Reef Point Esplanade and Good Company is at 13 Thurecht Parade. More in our guide to cafes in Redcliffe.
Walking and cycling
The Moreton Bay Cycleway starts at Scarborough Beach and runs 11 km south along the foreshore to the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge, with no road crossings or traffic lights. Ride to the Redcliffe Jetty and Bee Gees Way (about 4 km) and back for an easy family outing.
Dogs
Queens Beach North, on Flinders Parade, is the peninsula’s off-leash dog beach: dogs can run on the sand and in the water between the beach access stairs and the northern rock groyne, at any time. They must be on a leash on the grass, paths and car park. See our dog-friendly Redcliffe guide for more.
Swimming lessons
There are no surf schools in Scarborough, as Moreton Bay has no surf. For lessons, Ripple Swim runs classes at the Southern Cross Catholic College pool, 297 Scarborough Road, which it describes as the only heated 50 m outdoor pool on the peninsula. Dolphins Fitness & Aquatic in Redcliffe has indoor heated pools and a learn-to-swim school.
Events near Scarborough
The Redcliffe Markets run every Sunday on Redcliffe Parade, about 5 minutes’ drive away. Redcliffe KiteFest is held each September at Pelican Park, Clontarf, and the Jetty 2 Jetty run in July follows the waterfront as far as Scarborough. See what’s on in Redcliffe for the full year.
Getting here
Scarborough is about 40 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD outside peak times. By public transport, take the train to Kippa-Ring, then Translink bus 699 or 690 to Scarborough. Fares are a flat 50 cents.
Stay in Scarborough
Redcliffe Seaside Villa Escape is a four-bedroom holiday home in Scarborough that sleeps up to eight, with a fully fenced backyard (pets welcome on approval) and a full kitchen. Scarborough Beach Park is about a 15-minute walk away, and Scarborough Boat Harbour is a short drive. See the accommodation or check availability and book direct.
Is Scarborough Beach patrolled?
No. The patrolled beach on the Redcliffe Peninsula is Suttons Beach in Redcliffe, looked after by Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Life Saving Club volunteers in the warmer months. Settlement Cove Lagoon has council lifeguards during opening hours.
How do I get to Scarborough from Brisbane by public transport?
Take the train on the Redcliffe Peninsula line to Kippa-Ring, then Translink bus 699 or 690 to Scarborough. Fares are a flat 50 cents.
Can dogs go on the beach at Scarborough?
Yes. Queens Beach North on Flinders Parade is an off-leash area on the sand and water between the access stairs and the northern rock groyne. Dogs must be leashed on the grass, paths and car park.
Is there surf in Scarborough QLD?
No. Scarborough faces the sheltered water of Moreton Bay. For lessons in the pool, try Ripple Swim on Scarborough Road or Dolphins Fitness & Aquatic in Redcliffe.
Where can I eat on the water in Scarborough?
At Scarborough Boat Harbour: Tempest Seafood Restaurant, the Moreton Bay Boat Club and Morgans Seafood Market & Takeaway.
Stay in ScarboroughOur four-bedroom villa is about 15 minutes’ walk from Scarborough Beach Park and the boat harbour. Check availability