The South Clifton (Scarborough) Mine was opened in 1891 by the Illawarra Coal Company, and closed in 1921.

In 1952, an employee at South Clifton Tunnel Colliery, said that the mine was under the control of the Operations Branch of the Joint Coal Board who were in the process of upgrading to enable it to supply the new Tallawarra Power Station then being built.

The town used to be called South Clifton but in 1903, to avoid confusion between the railway stations, it was renamed.

[4] Scarborough is home to the Northern Suburbs Rugby League Club known as the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs' home ground is the Jim Allen Oval located in Monash St, the same road as Scarborough Beach.