Sydney/Botany Bay

Airport & Botany Bay is an arbitrary district name for the areas surrounding Botany Bay and also those directly south of Sydney, which include Sydney Airport, Redfern, Alexandria, Brighton-le-Sands, Mascot and Rockdale among others. It can sometimes include La Perouse and parts of the southeast, though it is covered in its own district.

Understand
The area between the airport and the city has historically tended to be light industrial. However, urban consolidation has led to new apartment living and associated facilities scattered throughout the warehouses. Outlet centres have opened in this area too, with the Alexandria area around Green Square hosting weekend shopping buses, whose occupants browse through the clothing, homewares, and other miscellany for sale.

Towards the coast, Botany Bay and Brighton is the centre of Sydney's Greek community. It is a great place to cool off and have a coffee by the water without waves. There's Greek yum cha and ice-cream on offer until late at night.

Rockdale and Mascot offer traditional suburban shopping strips with local specialty shops and restaurants that have been replaced by the air-conditioned shopping malls in most places in Sydney.

As of Apr 2020, Green Square is undergoing urban regeneration around the train station, and has some high-density housing, a new town centre being developed, and a library being the centrepiece of the area. There are some eating options around the area if for those around the area, but it can seem a little barren.

By public transport
A number of train lines and buses service the area. Consult Transport Info to find the best route.

The 320 runs from Central Railway Square to Green Square and Mascot as well. The Brighton-Le-Sands and Botany Bay foreshore is best accessed by the 303 bus from the city.


 * Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line – connects the western parts of the City of Bayside with the CBD, the Eastern Suburbs, St George and Sutherland Shire and the Illawarra.
 * Airport and South Line – best for accessing the factory outlet area, Green Square, Mascot and the airport, from Central, Wolli Creek and the southwest suburbs.
 * See the caution box above regarding the Bankstown Line

By car
The Eastern Distributor is the link out of the city to the south and to the airport. Parking along the beach areas can be problematic on sunny weekends and holidays. Parking in the industrial outlet areas can be difficult during business hours, but usually some timed parking can be obtained.

Botany Bay
Captain Cook first landed in Botany Bay in 1770, and raved about the place. However, when the first fleet of convicts arrived 18 years later to start the colony, they didn't care for it. Too sandy, and no fresh water, and they moved on to Sydney Harbour. Since then sections of Botany Bay have been reclaimed for container terminals and Sydney Airport, and industry and oil refineries built on its foreshores northern and southern foreshores. However, the bay is still popular for swimming and windsurfing, and a 10-km walking cycleway runs along its foreshore from Kyeemagh to Dolls Point. There is a memorial to the First Fleet. Cafes, restaurants, clubs, ice cream are available also. Parking is usually available, except on the busiest of summer weekends. Public transport access is by train to Rockdale, and then 478/479 bus to Brighton le Sands. Both services run frequently.

Do

 * Planespotting from the carpark behind the old control tower on the shore of Botany Bay adjacent to the main north-south runway. The carpark is closed after dark. There is a small beach and access to the security fence only metres from the main runway. At dawn you may see some of Sydney's racehorses being led into the water here for a swim. Car & pedestrian access is from General Holmes Drive, and there is an infrequent bus service.
 * Cycling
 * Windsurfing. Botany Bay is one of Sydney's premium spots for windsurfing when the wind comes up in the afternoons.

Buy
Alexandria is the city's outlet centre, adjacent to Green Square station in Alexandria.



Connect
Telstra has 5G in most of the area.

Go next

 * La Perouse