The railway line from Brisbane to Sandgate opened in 1882, and the terminal station, located near Curlew Street, was named Sandgate.

[1] The line was extended to Shorncliffe in 1897, and the name Sandgate was transferred to the new terminal station.

[3] The line allowed Brisbane residents to travel to the water of Moreton Bay's Shorncliffe shoreline.

[4] Beyond the station lie two sidings used to stable trains overnight.

Shorncliffe is the terminus station for Shorncliffe line services to and from Roma Street, Cannon Hill, Manly and Cleveland.