Sandgate Village Markets
One of the great things about Sandgate is that there’s always something going on with multiple markets popping up in the village every week! One of the most popular is the Twilight Markets which occur every third Saturday of the month. Located near the Einbunpin Lagoon, the markets are open from 2pm through to 6pm and entry is free. Stalls sell various items from arts and crafts to handmade knickknacks made by local artisans. There’s plenty of activities for the kids with new entertainment each month such as face painting, jumping castles and even a petting zoo. You can spend the morning exploring the town, then enjoy the afternoon by the water at the markets. Other markets include the Deagon Sunday Markets every Sunday, or the Billycart Markets every two months.
Sandgate Lagoon Playground
Amongst the Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands is one of the best parks in Sandgate. The Lagoon Playground is fully fenced and is mostly shaded throughout the day. The playground includes a large fort, slide, sandpit and multiple climbing frames. There are also large mounds for kids to jump and climb over while adventuring and playing games. The large grassy area within the playground area is the perfect place to set up for a picnic with the kids able to safely run around and explore in this enclosed space. There are many other great playgrounds around Sandgate but this is one of the best and is surrounded by beautiful parklands and scenery.
Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands
The Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands is at the centre of the Sandgate area with plenty of fun things to do. With bike and walking paths around the lagoon, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery while discovering the array of native birds and other animals in the park. For a closer look at the wildlife there is a shaded observation bridge that looks out over a pond. Many people have seen turtles and eels in the waters, as well as the usual ducks on the pond. The area is wheelchair accessible and pram friendly with multiple facilities close by including both toilets and barbeques, so you can pack a home lunch and have a picnic. If you don’t want to spend the time barbequing, there are plenty of shops and cafes nearby with plenty of parking too.
Walk or Cycle Along the Waterfront
The best way to see all of Sandgate and what it has to offer is to either walk or cycle along the scenic waterfront promenade. The promenade stretches all the way along the sea front from Brighton to Shorncliffe where you can take in the beautiful ocean views of Bramble Bay. As you head further down the coast towards the base of Shorncliffe’s cliffs, you’ll see grassy dunes, play areas, picnic shelters, and a well known historical site in the area, the Sandgate Baptist Church which was built in 1887. With many ideal picnic spots, jetties and play areas along the way, you can virtually stop anywhere to relax, have a bite to eat, go fishing, explore the beach or just take in the scenery. From the promenade it’s just a quick ride to the town centre where you can explore more historic sites such as the Sandgate Town Hall, or just grab a bite to eat from the plethora of eating and dining options available.
Sandgate Beach
The Sandgate Beach is a spectacular sight and wonderful place to spend the morning or afternoon. It’s not the best place for a swim unfortunately, due to the sandbar the water remains shallow until quite far from the coast. However, because of this the beach becomes the perfect place for a peaceful morning walk or to explore the marine wildlife. Stretching 4kms from Brighton to Shorncliffe, let the kids run around, get dirty, and explore and discover the hundreds of soldier crabs along the mud flats. You can also spend the afternoon picnicking close to the beach while you watch the multiple kite surfers skid across the water. There are plenty of facilities nearby such as toilets and showers so it’s easy to clean off after a day of adventuring the Sandgate beach.
