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Suburb Intelligence

Scarborough 4020

Redcliffe Peninsula · City of Moreton Bay · 4.8 km² · Walk Score 32/100

⚡ Beverley's read

Scarborough the northern gateway to the Redcliffe Peninsula ? the last suburb before you hit the ocean, with Newport Waterfront and the Scarborough Marina anchoring a lifestyle that revolves around the water. Thirty kilometres north of Brisbane, it's got the Scarborough Beach Park, a boat harbour, and the kind of coastal energy that makes you want to buy a tinny. The median house price reflects the premium for water access, and the new boat ramp and harbour upgrades have only increased the suburb's appeal for the boating crowd.

Market Pulse

$880,000
Median house price
+13%
YoY growth
$560/week
Median rent
3.3%
Rental yield
28–35 avg
Days on market

Snapshot updated May 2026. Source: Public property records + market estimates.

Thinking of selling in Scarborough?

Buyer demand signal: Balanced

In Scarborough, conditions look workable, but pricing and presentation still matter. This uses suburb-level signals only, so the next step is checking your property type, street, condition and likely price range.

28–35 avg days on market·40 house sales·+13% YoY growth
59
Signal score / 100
Check your home →

Living in Scarborough

Living in Scarborough: Red Cliffs and Boating

Scarborough shares its name with the famous Yorkshire seaside town, and the resemblance isn't accidental. When the Redcliffe Peninsula was subdivided in the 1870s, developers sold 'small farm lots' that combined rural ambience with sandy beaches — a combination that didn't exist along the Brisbane River. The Scarborough Hotel opened in 1879 (and failed — the population wasn't there yet). But the red cliffs, the Moreton Bay beaches, and the jetty that later became a boat harbour with a ferry to Moreton Island all set Scarborough apart. Today it's the boating capital of the Redcliffe Peninsula.
Scarborough Beach — red cliffs and Moreton Bay
Present Day

Scarborough Beach, backed by the red cliffs that gave the Redcliffe Peninsula its name. The beach, the boat harbour, and the marina make Scarborough the peninsula's boating and watersports centre.

The red cliffs that line Scarborough's foreshore are the geological feature that gave the entire Redcliffe Peninsula its name — 'Kau-in-Kau-in' to the Ningy Ningy people, 'Redcliffe' to the Europeans who followed. They're a striking natural landmark, formed from ancient sand deposits, visible from across Deception Bay.

Development was slow. The Scarborough Hotel (1879) failed because the speculative land buyers hadn't yet arrived as residents. The Brisbane to Redcliffe passenger steamer service started in 1883, but real growth only came after the Hornibrook Highway opened in 1935, transforming the peninsula from a holiday destination into a commuter suburb. A primary school opened in 1925, a post office in 1935. The 1949 Post Office directory listed the Scarborough Hotel, a grocer, a frock salon, a motor hire service — a proper village.

The Moreton Bay Boat Club was established in 1963. The jetty was converted into a boat harbour, and a vehicular ferry ran to Moreton Island from here until 2008. The canal estate and marina developed in the 1980s were later carved off to form the new suburb of Newport in 2008.

Today, Scarborough has three beaches on Moreton Bay, including the popular Queens Beach and Scarborough Beach, both backed by foreshore reserves. The Scarborough Marina and boat harbour make it the boating capital of the peninsula. Southern Cross Catholic College serves local families. For buyers who want a boat-friendly coastal lifestyle — red cliffs, marina berths, and a genuine beachside community — Scarborough is the real deal at a median around $880K.

Who Should Buy Here?

Scarborough is for buyers who want active coastal living — boat owners, kayakers, fishermen, beach walkers. It's less polished than some of the southern peninsula suburbs, but that's part of its charm. The red cliffs, the working boat harbour, the beachside cafes — Scarborough has character that can't be manufactured.

Liveability

Living here

Liveability Score

6/10
Schools3/10
Transport2/10
Amenities5/10
Growth10/10
Family Fit10/10

Schools & Education

Scarborough State SchoolPrimary (P–6) · Public

Walkability & Lifestyle

32/ 100 · Car-Dependent
  • 8 parks covering 11% of area
  • 1 per 1,000
  • Bike Score: Moderate
  • Scarborough Village

Transport

No train station within the suburb — bus services provide public transport connections.

  • ~40 min by car
  • ~40 min via Houghton Hwy
  • Bus routes: 690, 692
  • North Lakes, Caboolture, Brisbane City

People & Demographics

Scarborough has a median age of 42 with 58%. Household income averages $1,650/week (Mid-range). Population +5%.

5,003
Population
42
Median age
$1,650/week
Median household income
60%
Owner occupied
1,042/km²
Pop. density
2.7 people
Avg household size
Professionals
Top occupation
Around national median
Queensland — 5th decile
Diversity Index
22% not Anglo-Australian
Top Ancestries
English (30%) · Australian (28%) · New Zealand (4%)

Best Fit

Who Scarborough suits

Based on property data, demographics, and lifestyle factors, Scarborough appeals to these buyer profiles.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Families
Scarborough offers 1 schools within the suburb and 8 parks, with a median age suited to family life.
📈
Investors
3.3% yield with a vacancy rate of 1.2%. ~10.5% annual capital growth. Steady demand
🏠
First Home Buyers
Median house price $880,000 — may stretch budgets, but consider units for a more accessible entry point.
🔑
Downsizers
Unit median $510,000. ~40 min by car · Units yield 4.6%

Property Data

Property — Houses

$880,000
Median price
+13%
YoY growth
+3%
Quarterly growth
+66%
5-year growth
~10.5%
Annual capital growth
40
Sales volume (12mo)
28–35 avg
Days on market
60%
Owner-occupied

Property — Units

$510,000
Median price
+10%
YoY growth
+3.5%
Quarterly growth
20
Sales volume (12mo)
20–28 avg
Days on market

Rental Market

🏠 House rental

$560/week
Median rent
3.3%
Gross yield
+7%
Rent growth (YoY)
+1.5%
Rent growth (QoQ)

🏢 Unit rental

$400/week
Median rent
4.6%
Gross yield
+7.5%
Rent growth (YoY)
Demand indicators
Vacancy rate: 1.2%
Steady — growing corridor with good amenity and transport links

Risk & Due Diligence

What to know before buying

Safety & Crime Intelligence

Crime score: 12/100 severity rank (0 = no crime) — significantly safer than QLD & national benchmarks across most categories.

52% lower than QLD avg
Break-ins vs QLD avg
38% lower than nat avg
Break-ins vs national
45% lower
Vehicle theft vs QLD
40% lower
Violent crime vs QLD
Trend (2020–2024, all crimes declining):
Break-ins −6.5% (2020–24) · Vehicle theft −18% · Violent −5.5%
Chance of violent crime: 1 in 250

Flood & Environmental Risk

Moderate coastal. Low. Always verify your specific property:

  • Check Moreton Bay Flood Viewer
  • Council flood planning overlay may apply
  • Insurance: check with provider — flood premiums vary by specific lot

Development & Infrastructure Pipeline

Scarborough has active development projects shaping the suburb's future.

Scarborough Boat Harbour
Marina and waterway upgrades
Infrastructure
  • Scarborough Beach
  • Scarborough Boat Harbour
Population projection: Projected ~7000–8000 by 2036

Top Sales

Recorded examples · verify current status

Recent recorded sales in Scarborough across the last 3 months.

DatePropertyPrice
May 2026 — 1 sale
May 20264br, 22 Scarborough Rd$1,200,000
Data sourced from public property recordsView all sold listings ↗

Investor Summary

~10.5%
Annual capital growth
3.3%
House rental yield
Units: 4.6%
1.2%
Vacancy rate
+7%
Rent growth (YoY)
  • Investor profile: Coastal with marina
  • Demand indicator: Steady demand
  • Gentrification risk: Low
  • Subdivision potential: Moderate

What Changed This Week

No recent articles published for Scarborough this week. Check back for the latest local updates.

Beverley's real-world take

Living in Scarborough: Red Cliffs and Boating

Named for the red cliffs that line its foreshore, Scarborough is the boating capital of the Redcliffe Peninsula — with the Scarborough Marina, boat ramp, and protected anchorage. The Scarborough Beach park is a family favourite.

Read the full guide ↗
Data sources: ABS Census 2021 · QPS Crime Statistics · MySchool / ACARA NAPLAN · Council flood mapping · WalkScore.com · QLD Government population projections · TransLink GTFS. Property data is indicative — verify with current sales. This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.

Thinking about buying or selling in Scarborough?

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