Scarborough in winter

Scarborough in winter hits different … crisp air, open stretches of sand and the fresh coastal energy that makes you want to rug up and enjoy. It’s the season where you can slow it down, warm it up and explore a side of Scarbs that most people miss.

And if you’ve got kids in tow, there’s one clear place to start.

9.00am Follow the Scarborough Beach Play Trail

Scarborough Beach’s new Play Trail is the hero move for families this winter.

Built for kids roughly aged 6 to 14 years, it turns the foreshore into an interactive adventure – part game, part exploration and a very handy way to keep things moving without hearing “what’s next?” every five minutes.

Download the Play Trails app, start around the Clock Tower and let it lead you along the esplanade through a mix of challenges and discovery points.

10.30am Ease into the morning

Winter mornings here are made for a slower start. If you’re feeling it, the Scarborough Beach Pool is a solid winter win with heated water, ocean views and a pretty unbeatable way to wake up.

Otherwise, keep things dry and roll straight into coffee at Livid Skate. Grab something warm, claim a sunny spot and watch the coast come to life.

11.30am Mix in a bit of action

Scarborough gives you plenty to play with. Check out:

• The skate park with its epic bowl and street-style plaza
• The half basketball court for an easy energy burn
• Alchemy Saunas for a warm reset between activities
• Or duck into The Lookout if the weather turns – bowling, bites and a pretty solid fallback plan.

1.00pm Lunch, done right

Keep it easy with something casual … Focaccia from Two Slices or a slice (or three) from Ronnie’s or lean into something a bit more elevated at Brighton Wine Bar. Think long lunch energy, great wine and the kind of place where you accidentally stay longer than planned.

There’s plenty happening through winter too. From The Galway Hooker’s Sunday Roast, to Scarborough Beach Bar’s bottomless gnocchi Thursdays or The Sandbar’s steady line-up of live music, comedy and quiz nights.

3.00pm Change pace for the afternoon

If the weather shifts, that’s your cue to switch it up or change pace for the afternoon.

Jump on the 990 and duck into Karrinyup Shopping Centre – with 300+ shops, HOYTS (home to the world’s largest LED cinema screen) or something a bit different like mini golf or an escape room at Funlab.

Stay coastal and stretch the legs with a walk north along the iconic coastal path. Follow it past Trigg’s surf breaks then keep going as the coastline opens up around North Beach and Mettams. If you need a pit stop, Canteen Trigg is right there for coffee or something fresh before looping back.

For something a bit different again, head to Hamersley Public Golf Course’s interactive driving range. The game tech keeps things fun for the whole family, clubs are available to hire and with food and drinks delivered straight to your bay, it’s an easy way to spend a couple of hours.

5.30pm Sunset still steals the show

Winter sunsets don’t mess around.

Settle in beachside with a drink and prime sunset watching at Little Wave or go full classic with fish and chips on Sunset Hill.

If you’re chasing something a little more tucked away, lean into the neighbourhood wine bar vibe at SKØL with low lighting, good pours and the kind of places you drift into and stay a while.

On Saturdays, the Scarborough Sunset Markets (Winter Edition) bring a bit of extra energy – fire pits, food stalls, mulled wine, the works. Rug up and lean into it.

7.30pm Stay a little longer

If you’re not ready to call it, don’t. Book a night at one of the beachfront hotels and turn it into a low-key winter escape. Then roll straight into an easy evening – bar hopping between a few local favourites, grabbing a late bite or settling in somewhere with a good drink and no plans.

Wake up, hit a local pilates class, grab another coffee (and maybe a Knead pastry) and ease into day two without trying too hard.

The takeaway

Scarborough doesn’t slow down in winter, it just opens up a different way to experience it.

With the Scarborough Beach Play Trail leading the way for families, it’s never been easier to explore, play and settle into the rhythm of the coast.