---
title: "Scarborough: things to do, swim, stay · Norilla Coast"
description: "Scarborough, northern Illawarra: Long lunch on a terrace above the sea. Scarborough runs along a strip of the coast road with the escarpment pressing in behind it. Most people come for one reason: the Scarborough Hotel and its beer garden on the cliff."
url: https://norillacoast.com/villages/scarborough/
updated: 2026-11-09
publisher: Norilla Coast
---
# Scarborough

Long lunch on a terrace above the sea.

**Along the coast**
~8 km south of Stanwell Park

**Train**
Scarborough station, ~66 min from Central

**Best for**
The long lunch

## Why visit Scarborough?

Scarborough runs along a strip of the coast road with the escarpment pressing in behind it. Most people come for one reason: the Scarborough Hotel and its beer garden on the cliff.

It is an old pub with a lawn that runs to the edge of the cliff. Get a table on the lawn, order something, and watch the swell roll in below. On a sunny Saturday you will want to be there early.

Below the road, Scarborough shares a beach and surf club with its neighbour Wombarra. Walk down the steps after lunch.

## Things to do in Scarborough

1. ### Scarborough Hotel

    The terrace is the draw. Arrive before midday on weekends.

2. ### Scarborough–Wombarra beach

    A narrower, wilder beach than the ones further south. Swim at the flags.

3. ### Drive slow

    The road here is tight and winding, and the views are on your left heading south.

## Where to swim in Scarborough

Scarborough shares its beach and surf club with Wombarra. It is narrower and wilder than the beaches further south, so swim between the flags. The nearest ocean pool is at Wombarra.

Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Ocean pools close on a roster for cleaning, so check Wollongong City Council before you plan a swim around one.

## Where to stay in Scarborough

Holiday rentals line the steep streets above the coast road, many with ocean views.

## How do you get to Scarborough from Sydney?

Trains on the South Coast Line from Sydney's Central station stop at Scarborough. The trip takes about 66 minutes, depending on the service. Weekend trains run less often, so check the timetable for your return.

By car, Scarborough is about an hour from the Sydney CBD. Take the M1 Princes Motorway, or drive through the Royal National Park and down Lawrence Hargrave Drive for the scenic route, which reaches this end of the coast first.

[Compare train, scenic drive and motorway →](https://norillacoast.com/getting-here/)

## Scarborough at a glance

| Detail | Scarborough |
| --- | --- |
| Distance from Stanwell Park | ~8 km |
| Train station | Yes |
| Train from Central | ~66 min |
| Ocean pool | No |
| Surf club | Scarborough–Wombarra Surf Life Saving Club |
| Best for | The long lunch |
| Neighbours | Clifton (north), Wombarra (south) |

## Scarborough FAQs

### How far is Scarborough from Sydney?

Scarborough is about an hour from the Sydney CBD by car and about 66 minutes by train from Central. It is about 8 km south of Stanwell Park along the coast road.

### Is there an ocean pool at Scarborough?

No. Scarborough shares its beach and surf club with Wombarra. It is narrower and wilder than the beaches further south, so swim between the flags. The nearest ocean pool is at Wombarra.

### When is the best time to visit Scarborough?

Weekdays, or before midday on weekends, if you want a terrace table at the Scarborough Hotel. Sunny weekend afternoons are the busiest time on this stretch of road.

### Is there a train station at Scarborough?

Yes. Scarborough station is on the South Coast Line, between Coalcliff and Wombarra.