Swell Mornings to Spectacular Sunsets: A Day in Scarborough

Sun, sand, surf and good old West Aussie fun is synonymous with spending the day at Scarborough.

The popular Sunset Coast hub brings the goods with plenty of outdoor activities on, and off, dry land. There’s taste-bud tempting cafes and restaurants to hit for lunch, as well as plenty of bars for a cheeky drink when the sun dips below the Indian Ocean.

Wondering what to pack into your day in Scarbs? Here’s the low down on what to get up to in Scarborough.

A Morning in Scarborough

Start your day right with fresh bakes and coffee from Knead. This Scarborough favourite is perfect for a grab-and-go treat to enjoy whilst sat on the rolling grassy greens of Scarborough’s beach precinct.

Sip on a flat white and get your steps in on the Scarborough to Trigg Heritage Walk Trail. Taking in some of the most stunning coastline in Perth, at Trigg Bushland Reserve, the 7.3km trail is one of the few places in Perth where the bushland meets the sea.

Summer may be over, though that doesn’t mean giving up your daily dip. The City of Stirling’s Scarborough Beach Pool is geothermally heated to 27 degrees. That makes Western Australia’s only beachside pool perfect for morning laps, year-round.

Want some heart-racing ocean action? Scarborough Beach Surf School has been teaching groms and surfers of all ages and abilities since 1986. Known for its great surf, Scarborough Beach is a hub for surfers, all trying to catch the next wave.

Move your body (while overlooking the ocean) at The Hundred. The beautiful Pilates and yoga studio offers a holistic approach to health. Expert instructors lead a packed timetable with classes in the reformer studio, mat room and there’s even a rooftop terrace.

Have kids in tow? They with have a whale of a time at the huge Whale Playground and Scarborough Skate Bowl. Inspired by Whadjuk Noongar Dreamtime stories of these magnificent sea creatures, the Whale Playground features plenty of climbing equipment, swings, slides and more. Don’t have a skateboard to try out the competition-standard bowl? Swing by Livid Skateboards for a hand-crafted board, a gallery showcasing local artists, plus good coffee.

After an activity or two, take a wander through the sandy dunes and feel the sand between your toes. Bask under a sun umbrella and gaze over the pristine Scarborough Beach to the inviting ocean. A handy addition to the beach are mobile lockers, to stash your valuables while you’re on the beach – they even have USB charging ports. Umbrella, lounge chair and towel hire are available on weekends during the school term.

Noon Nibbles in Scarbs

Ocean views, paired with a Mediterranean share menu, make La Capannina a go-to for a long lunch with friends. Found above the Scarborough Beach Pool, the fresh Italian-style dishes are best washed down with a cocktail or two.

Burgs more your style? The Peach Pit plates up crisp beef burgers (with smash-style lacey edges), as well as fired chicken burgers, and ah-mazing sides. Grab a cosy booth, or people watch from a high-top table on The Esplanade.

The Lookout is not just a bar, but also home to several bowling lanes to let the good times roll! By day, it’s a chill spot to meet friends over bowling and bites. By night, the Scarborough stalwart brings the vibes and cool tunes.

Feel like something sweet? Licking an ice cream by the beach is tradition, right? You won’t need an excuse to try the many ice cream flavours at Dumbo Gelato. Violet Crumble, sprinkled with a little Milo, is a winning combo.

Scarborough by Night

Balmy evenings are when Scarborough really comes into its own. From cosy Irish pubs to balcony bars, there’s always a spot in Scarbs to whet your whistle. Gather your amigos and head to El Grotto for Mexican street fare and their signature spicy margaritas, arguably the best in town.

Scarborough Beach Bar is one of the Scarborough strip’s best spots to sip a sunset drink. Grab a table on the balcony and kick back with a cocktail, craft beer and casual share plates. 

Head a few blocks away from the beach to discover a Scarbrough gem. Sip a spritz at the Mediterranean style Bodega Wine Bistro. With a top-notch tapas line-up, the Calais Road spot dishes up amazing antipasto, pasta and pizzas.

Running until 25 April, the buzzing Scarborough Sunset Markets Summer Season is the place to eat, drink, soak up live music and browse locally made goods on Thursday nights. Grab a tasty morsel from a food truck and devour it whilst overlooking the sunset on grassy Sunset Hill.

Stay in Scarborough

Want to pack even more into your day? Stay in Scarborough! Many rooms at the iconic Rendezvous Hotel aka “Ob City” have balcony views over Scarborough Beach and the Indian Ocean. A tropical lagoon pool is perfect for those rare days the ocean is too rough for a swim, while the Club Lounge has sweeping Sunset Coast views from high up on the 25^th floor.

Seashells Scarborough is perfect for those who appreciate a self-contained apartment stay. Most 1, 2 or 3 bedroom fully self-contained apartments look onto spectacular ocean views. Seashells also offers up a choice of outdoor swimming pools (one heated), sun lounges, a sauna, and a free undercover car park.

Insider tip: On busy days, you may like to park in the public car park found underneath the Rendezvous Hotel, for a fee.

Whether you love to get active in the ocean, or prefer to feast on dry land, there’s plenty of ways to spend the day, and night along the sensational Scarborough foreshore.

Uncover something new to you, or rediscover an old favourite on the Sunset Coast.