Scarborough To Newport

From Scarborough’s colourful seaside cafe strip this waterfront walk/cycle path winds around the tip of the Redcliffe peninsula through cotton tree and casuarina-lined parks to the canals of Newport.

For cyclists, there is roughly 200m of on-road riding on a dedicated path on a quiet street and about three roads to cross throughout the ride.

1. This 8km return trip starts at the indented car park off Kennedy Esplanade. From here, pick up the path just downhill in the park and head to the left towards the village and the splendid children’s playground with its climbable cotton trees. A cafe stop is recommended for those in need of a fuel boost before getting underway. 

This section of the walk/ride is shaded by the majestic Norfolk Pines that line the front of Scarborough Beach and heads up a slight incline and joins Landsborough Avenue’s footpath just before it turns into Fifth Avenue, the one time home of the Bee Gees (the curious may want to detour to no. 12, which is where the Gibb brothers lived for a couple of years at the end of the 1950s). From Fifth Avenue, turn right into Fortune St, which for cyclists is the brief on-road section.

2. Turn right into secluded Tingira Park and follow around through Jamieson Park, which marks the far northern tip of the Redcliffe Peninsula. 

Here, north across the waters of Deception Bay is the southern end of Bribie Island. 

Continue all the way around beachside along the isthmus of land jutting well out into the bay, where a newly built row of picnic shelters are lined up all the way to the end. The path loops sharply back around the other side and overlooks Scarborough Boat Harbour. Head back inland along the edge of the harbour to the caravan park. Nestled next to the caravan park under the trees is the al fresco Sea Salt and Vine, a great laidback spot for an all-day breakfast, coffee or lunch.

3. Follow the path along the seaside of the caravan park to the car park of Moreton Bay Boat Club, through Thurecht Park and past Tempest (a great seafood restaurant) to cross the road and rejoin the seafront. From here the path heads through the long stretch of Endeavour Park with its briny low-tide beaches and hi-tech exercise equipment, under the shade of casuarinas and cotton trees, with spectacular views across Deception Bay and distant glimpses of the Glass House Mountains. 

The last 800m or so is a little exposed, having far fewer trees as it reaches the canal estates and the path comes to its natural end at a canal. Upon returning to Scarborough, Cafe 3 Eight Nine and Valori Espresso are local picks and the Boat Shed does a decent and generously sized serve of fish’n’chips while Scarborough Beach Park has many idyllic picnic spots and benches to enjoy it overlooking the beach.

After your ride, if you've still got energy to burn, check our out guide on what to do in Scarborough in a day here.