🔍

Scarborough

NSW 2515 • New South Wales

325
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
2.08 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideEscarpmentQuietEstablished

About Scarborough

Scarborough is a small coastal locality on the Illawarra escarpment in New South Wales, situated approximately 50 kilometres south of Sydney CBD and around 20 kilometres north of Wollongong city centre within the Wollongong City Council area. Covering just over 2 square kilometres, Scarborough has a population of around 325 residents and a median household income that sits above the NSW average at approximately $56,600, reflecting the desirability of its escarpment-edge coastal position. The suburb has a tight-knit, tightly held character with a mix of established homes and properties enjoying sweeping Pacific Ocean views.

Scarborough's greatest asset is its dramatic setting on the Illawarra escarpment, where residents enjoy stunning ocean panoramas, easy access to rocky coastal walks, and the relaxed atmosphere of a small seaside community. Scarborough Station provides a direct rail connection to Wollongong and Sydney via the South Coast Line, making the suburb unexpectedly well-connected for its size. The escarpment cliffs and the famous Sea Cliff Bridge to the north at Coalcliff draw visitors and cyclists, while the nearby villages of Thirroul and Bulli offer cafes, schools, and everyday services. Scarborough suits those seeking a peaceful coastal retreat with genuine commuter convenience.

Scarborough falls under postcode 2515 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heathcote electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2515
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Cunningham
State Electorate
Heathcote
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.30°, 150.93°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
2.08 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Scarborough Station
0.5 km
5-7 min

Bus Services

  • Dions Bus Service — Wollongong / Thirroul 20-35 min to Wollongong

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
50 km
By Train
Approx. 75-90 min to Sydney Central via South Coast Line (intercity train)
By Car (Peak)
55-75 min via Lawrence Hargrave Drive and M1 Princes Motorway
By Car (Off-Peak)
45-55 min

🛣️ Scarborough Station offers hourly intercity services to Sydney and regular services to Wollongong. Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the scenic coastal route; M1 Princes Motorway the faster inland option.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Scarborough has no commercial centre of its own; residents walk to the station easily but drive to nearby Thirroul or Bulli for shops, cafes, and everyday services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Scarborough by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Scarborough Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Scarborough" under Suburb

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
325
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Scarborough known for? +

Scarborough NSW is known for its stunning Illawarra escarpment setting, dramatic Pacific Ocean views, and proximity to the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge at nearby Coalcliff. It is a tightly held coastal locality prized for its quiet atmosphere, ocean outlooks, and easy rail access to Sydney and Wollongong.

How far is Scarborough from Sydney CBD? +

Scarborough is approximately 50 kilometres south of Sydney CBD, making it around 45–55 minutes by car in off-peak traffic or 75–90 minutes by intercity train via the South Coast Line.

Does Scarborough have public transport? +

Yes — Scarborough has its own train station on the South Coast Line, with intercity services running approximately hourly to both Sydney Central and Wollongong. Local bus services along Lawrence Hargrave Drive also connect the suburb to nearby Thirroul and Wollongong.

What is the population of Scarborough? +

According to the 2021 Census, Scarborough has a population of approximately 325 residents across 96 dwellings, making it a very small and tightly held coastal locality in the Wollongong City Council area.

Is Scarborough a good place to live? +

Scarborough is excellent for those seeking a quiet coastal escape with surprisingly good transport connections. The dramatic escarpment views, proximity to coastal walks and the Sea Cliff Bridge, and direct rail access to Sydney make it a coveted but undersupplied address in the northern Illawarra.

What is the postcode for Scarborough? +

The postcode for Scarborough, New South Wales is 2515.