Sandgate QLD: Bayside Suburb with a Small Village

Living in Sandgate means you get the best of both worlds.  Sandgate is just a 35-minute train ride to the city, and it has the beautiful bay on its doorstep. With it’s mix of cafes, waterfront walks, playgrounds and council facilities, there really is something for each stage of life.  It has a real village feel and even has its own town hall with a chiming clock!

Keep reading and we will share our inside knowledge so you too will know all about living in Sandgate. We know it is one of the best places to live in Brisbane!

Sandgate at a Glance

• Local Government: Brisbane City Council
• Postcode: 4017
• Population: 4,900s (2021)
• Location: around 16km north of Brisbane CBD
• Transport: Sandgate is on the train line and is supported by numerous bus routes and easy access to major highways.
• Shopping: Local small retail options and a 10 minute drive to Taigum Square.
• History: The traditional owners of the land, the Turrbal people, long inhabited the area and called it Warra, which means a stretch or expanse of water.
• Healthcare: Close proximity to Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside and Redcliffe Hospital over the bridge.
• Sandgate Real Estate (renting and buying): A diverse mix of charming post-war and modern homes, offering something for every taste and budget.

Why You Should Move to Sandgate

If you are looking for a new home in a quaint village near the sea, then Sandgate in Queensland could be the place you are looking for.  The locals love that we have everything at our fingertips. Outdoor living is a high priority in Sandgate.  The waterfront has a wide walking path for plenty of foot and paw traffic.  There are on and off leash areas of the beach for our furry friends.  Our pro tip is to take an early morning stroll to the pier for a coffee and sit back and watch the stunning sunrise. You may even catch a glimpse of the local horses having a trot along the beach – not a sight you will see anywhere else in Brisbane.

The train line makes commuting a breeze with trains heading to the city every 15 minutes.  There is also a selection of bus lines through the suburbs and across the bridge.  Redcliffe Peninsula is only a 15-minute drive and it has amazing shopping, dining and recreational facilities.

Children are well catered for with local parks such as Lower Moora Park on the waterfront.  The children can explore this park which snakes across the cliff face with beautiful timberwork.  There is a sandy beach just near the park for sandcastle building and the pier is nearby for a stroll or a fish. Sandgate Aquatic Centre has a fantastic children’s area with slides, a tipping bucket and wading area. There are plenty of activities for the little ones at Sandgate Library and while the little ones are busy, there are opportunities for the bigger people to meet and form new connections.  We also have our own local PCYC which caters for children of all ages with gymnastics, martial arts and school holiday activities. 

Shops and Restaurants

Sandgate Village is the centre of town.  The main street is lined with dining out options as well as gift shops, hairdressers and other retail outlets.

Restaurants and Cafes in Sandgate

Sandgate has a mixture of takeaway, casual and more formal dining options.  And of course, if you are looking for fish and chips, Sandgate has you covered.  We also have some impressive pubs and bespoke bars.

• Sands Social: The Sands Social is the newest club in town.  There are several bars, dining options, kids play area and live music.  They even have bare foot bowls at the attached Sands Bowlo where you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with bowling, live music, bar and food options.
• Full Moon Hotel: They serve fresh seafood, cocktails and live music with the best views in town.  This historic pub has a slick interior and a great kids area.  They have different specials throughout the week as well as trivia nights which the locals love.
• The Post Office Hotel: The old Sandgate Post Office has had a magnificent restoration.  This grand old building has never looked better and greets visitors to the village. They host live music and small and large areas to be hired for functions.
• Sandgate Fishmonger: is known for the most beautiful calamari, gelato and spectacular views.

Shopping in Sandgate

Sandgate has a lovely main street lined with retail options.  There are even local spray free markets that offer your weekly fruit and vegetable options. All your basic needs are met with chemists, medical facilities, banks, real estates, hairdressers, supermarkets, some of the best bakeries in the area and plenty more. The Sandgate café selection is vast, from the main street to quirky little cafes dotting the surrounding streets.

• Sandgate Farmer’s Market: Held on Wednesdays and Sundays just opposite the Town Hall. You’ll find an impressive variety of products, including fresh local veggies, crusty handmade sourdough and more.
• Ibis Central: This shopping precinct has a Woolworths, news agency, bottle shop, discount shop as well as Sandgate doctors and Sandgate dentist.  There is often some live music outside of Woolworths to serenade you as you go about your shopping.
• The Main Street: Set across from Einbunpin Lagoon, the main street is a lovely place to go for a stroll and shop.  You can choose from plenty of dining options to fuel you along the way.  There are gift shops, clothing shops and even a place to get your nails done.

Housing

Sandgate QLD is a growing area.  It has a mix of flats, units, townhouses and houses.  There is a mixture of properties for first home buyers, young families and retirees.  Sandgate is particularly well known for Queenslander houses. Some of the most beautiful Queenslanders are located along Flinders Parade and overlook the water. Sandgate real estate agents are busy places as everyone wants in on this little slice of paradise.

The area is also well known for boarding houses.  A lot of these houses have been repurposed over the years but there are still a few that offer more affordable housing.  You can still find bigger blocks in the suburb to fit the pool and even a tennis court.  More recently, there are smaller more affordable blocks coming onto the market to suit all budgets.

Looking for Accommodation Near Sandgate?

Take a look at these options:

• Affordable: Cottage on the Bay or The Brighton Hotel
• Mid-range: Brighton Retreat or Modern Pool Oasis
• Luxury: Mon Komo

Employment

As Sandgate is situated on the train line, commuting to the city and inner suburbs for work is a breeze.  If commuting is not your thing, there are plenty of opportunities for employment in the local area. With so many dining options, there are many hospitality opportunities, from the local chippies to more fine dining.  There is also Aldi and Woolworths in the main street if working in a supermarket is more your thing.

Living a healthy lifestyle is very popular in this bayside suburb – there is even a gym that is meters away from the water.  The local gyms employ a lot of locals.  There is also plenty of childcare centres, hairdressers and convenience stores so looking for a first job or moving on to the next opportunity is easy in Sandgate.

Education

In the local social media pages, whenever someone asks about the local schools, the overwhelming response is that you can’t go wrong.  Sandgate has a mixture of small, inclusive state and private primary schools and small and large high schools. Read more about the best schools in the area here.

These include:

• Sandgate Primary School
• Brighton State School Brighton
• Nashville State School Brighton
• Shorncliffe State School Shorncliffe
• Sacred Heart Primary School
• Sandgate District State High School
• Bracken Ridge State High School Bracken Ridge
• St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe
• St John Fisher College Bracken Ridge

When looking for house for sale, Sandgate schools may have a catchment area so be sure to factor that in when you are looking at buying or renting.

We also have a great variety of early childhood education options such as childcare centres and Kindergartens.  They usually welcome inspections, so give them a call and organise a walk through.

Commuting to tertiary education facilities is easy with the trains and buses and Bracken Ridge TAFE is only a ten-minute drive from Sandgate.

Weather

The weather doesn’t get much better than in Sandgate.  Our Summers get pretty hot, but there is always a cool breeze from the bay.  Our temperatures in Summer range from early 20s to early to mid-30 degrees Celsius.

We think Winters in Sandgate are spectacular.  The waterfront is the place to be early in the morning to witness the most beautiful sunrises.  There are cafes and coffee carts open nice and early to ensure you can enjoy a hot coffee while watching the sunrise.  The temperature in Winter ranges from around 10 degrees to the mid-20s – just perfect!

Getting There and Around

The easiest way to get to Sandgate is the train line.  The main street is an easy stroll from the train station.  It is easy and quick access to major highways which keeps us connected to all areas of Brisbane.

To Brisbane CBD

The train trip from Sandgate to Central Station takes 35 minutes.  There are also buses which take around 37 minutes.  If you prefer to drive, you would be looking at between 30 minutes to an hour in peak traffic.

To Redcliffe

Redcliffe is an easy 10-minute drive over the bridge.  There are also buses from Sandgate to Redcliffe.  If you prefer pedal power, there is bike track all the way and it will take you around half an hour – or longer if you decide to stop for a coffee or a treat!

To the Sunshine Coast

The Bruce Highway is very easy to access from Sandgate.  It will take you around an hour to drive up the highway to the coast (unless you stop at Australia Zoo on the way!).  The perfect distance for a lovely day trip! Some of our favourite beaches are Kings Beach, Mooloolaba and Noosa.

To the Gold Coast

Another advantage of living in Sandgate is the ease of getting onto the Pacific Motorway which takes you over the Gateway Bridge and down to the Gold Coast.  The drive will take you around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on which part of the beautiful Gold Coast you are visiting.

Things to Do and See Around Sandgate

Sandgate QLD locals make the most of the outdoors.  We have amazing walking tracks all along the waterfront and there is Sandgate beach which is a great place for the children to build sandcastles.  If you are into kitesurfing, we have plenty of opportunities to test out your skills.  There is even a local business that will teach you how to kitesurf. The calm water in the bay makes for perfect conditions for stand up paddle boarding – especially around the Shorncliffe Pier.  There are so many activities to enjoy around the area.

Fishing

There are plenty of opportunities for fishing around Sandgate.  The Shorncliffe Pier is a great place to take the children to drop a line, or even just to watch others reel in some big ones!  There are also places right along the waterfront

Sandgate Aquatic Centre

Sandgate Pool is open all year round.  There are two outdoor pools that are open in Summer.  There is a lap pool and a child’s play area with slides and a tipping bucket.  They also have an indoor pool which hosts swimming lessons, aqua aerobics and is heated for all year-round swimming.

Sandgate Library

The library is a happy place for many of the locals.  It is a fairly small and cozy library that has everything that you need, along with lovely staff who are only too keen to help. They also have regular activities for young and not so young!

Settlement Cove

Settlement Cove is just a hop skip and jump over the bridge in Redcliffe.  This amazing, free facility is a favourite outing amongst Sandgate locals. You can pack a picnic and stay for the whole day, there is also food options in the main street very close by.

Thinking About Other Places Near Sandgate?

We are locals, so we have insider tips on all the suburbs in our ‘hood. Come and see what we think of our neighbouring areas.

Heritage Charm Meets Bayside Lifestyle in Shorncliffe 4017

Shorncliffe is renowned for the most beautiful classic Queenslander houses.  The Yacht Club is the place to go for a relaxed lunch right on the water and Sandgate Golf Club is the place for a relaxed game of golf.

Read more about living in Shorncliffe here.

Brighton 4017 Might Be the Seaside Suburb You’ve Been Looking For!

Brighton is the sister suburb to Sandgate.  It shares the waterfront and is not as well known as Sandgate.  There are some lovely school options and is a great place for young families.

Read more about living in Brighton here.

Deagon is the Hidden Gem of the 4017 Postcode

If you are looking for a place to have a jetty to the creek in your backyard, then Deagon is for you.  This more affordable suburb has all the conveniences that you need and with the train line, it makes commuting a breeze.

Read more about living in Deagon here.

Bracken Ridge is Where Neighbours Become Good Friends

Bracken Ridge is a large suburb with plenty of mixed housing options for all budgets.  It’s central location makes it a great base for ease of access to the city and highways.

Read more about living in Bracken Ridge here.

Boondall is a Northside Suburb with the Lot

Boondall is a hidden gem and it even has it’s own ice skating rink! The ease of access to the train and Sandgate Road, means travelling around Brisbane is nice and easy.

Read more about moving to Boondall here.

See!? Sandgate is Awesome!

Sandgate locals know they live in one of the best places in Brisbane.  The waterfront and village atmosphere of this beautiful suburb are the focal points.  We make the most of the Brisbane weather by spending as much time in the outdoors either walking, cycling, fishing, kitesurfing and picnicking. If you are looking for beautiful pubs and restaurants, Sandgate has them both. Take a drive and spend the day in our neighbourhood and we are sure you will love it as much as us.