Sydney/Botany Bay

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Rockdale and Mascot offer traditional suburban shopping strips with local specialty shops and restaurants that have been replaced by the air-conditioned shopping malls in most places in Sydney.

By public transport

A number of train lines and buses service the area. Consult Transport Info to find the best route.
The factory outlet area is best accessed by train to Green Square on the Airport and East Hills Line. Mascot shops is probably best access by the daytime high-frequency Metrobus M20 (prepay only) connects Mascot to the city. The Brighton-Le-Sands and Botany Bay foreshore is best accessed by the 303 bus from the city.

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 10km 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.

• 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.

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

• Sydney Luggage Centre

  phone: +61 2 9669 6381
  address: 1147 Botany Rd, Mascot
  Made it all the way down under and that wheel has fallen off your suitcase? Come here to get the spare, or buy a sturdier replacement. This long-established luggage retailer is one of the largest in Sydney (CBD store also). Service over the phone can be limited.

• Hong Ha

  phone: +61 9667 2069
  address: 1151 Botany Rd, Mascot
  This tiny Vietnamese bakery is an institution. Visit the original store, which gets queues down the street at lunchtime, and order their famous chicken roll (with optional fresh chilli).

• The Grounds of Alexandria

  address: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia
  A bustling favourite for brunch and lunch for urbanites, famous for its extensive collection of coffees. Sit in the rustic garden complete with cute farm animals, where there are food/coffee vendors on the weekend, or queue for a spot in the restaurant.

• South Sydney Graphic Arts Club

  phone: +61 2 9667 4321
  address: 182 Coward St, Mascot
  This is a members' club, but not if you live more than 5KM away, so take advantage of this little secret for cheap drinks & eats. Tuesday nights have even cheaper meals.

Sydney Airport

• Hotel Ibis Budget Sydney Airport

  address: 5 Ross Smith Ave, Mascot
  Closest hotel to the domestic terminals T2 and T3, this is a basic budget hotel with convenient access to 24 hr Krispy Kreme and McDonald's next door.

• Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel

  phone: +61 2 9317 2200
  address: Cnr O'Riordan & Robey Streets, Mascot
  A short walk north from the domestic terminals T2 & T3. This is a well-appointed 4

* hotel. Tip: Ask for an upper-level airport view room, it's one of the best outside the control tower!

• Holiday Inn Sydney Airport

  address: Cnr O'Riordan St & Bourke Rd, Mascot
  A longer walk (10-15 min) from the domestic terminals, this hotel has the advantage of being very close to Mascot station, providing quick and cheap access to Sydney CBD.

• Mercure Sydney Airport

  phone: +61 2 9518 2000
  address: 20 Levey Street, Wolli Creek
  The only hotel within walking distance from the international terminal (T1). Formerly known as the Hilton. A taxi to the international terminal costs about $7-8, there is also a shuttle bus which costs $6.

• Rydges Sydney Airport

  address: International Terminal
  This 4

* hotel is located adjacent to T1 at the Airport International Terminal.

Botany Bay

• Novotel Brighton Beach

  phone: +61 2 9556 5111
  By far the largest hotel in the district. Situated in the heart of the restaurant area along Bay Street.