Brighton-Le-Sands Beach, also known as Brighton or Brighton Beach, is a picturesque location in southern Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Situated 13 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, the beach lies on the western shore of Botany Bay. The local government area of the Bayside Council governs it, and it forms part of the St George area.
The beach is known for its off-white sand and the stunning view it offers of planes landing and taking off. It is adjacent to Lady Robinsons Beach and Cook Park, which run along the eastern border of Brighton Le Sands. The area is a blend of low density houses, medium density flats, high rise apartments, retail, cafés and restaurants. The Grand Parade, a significant road, runs along the foreshore and intersects with Bay Street at the commercial centre.
The beach area, although small, is a popular spot for day trips and family picnics. The surrounding area is bustling with numerous cafés, making it a great family outing location. The beach offers beautiful views, including a distant view of the airport, making it an ideal spot for a family picnic or a romantic outing for couples.
Historically, the area between the Cooks River and Georges River was known as Seven Mile Beach. It was renamed Lady Robinsons Beach in 1874 to honour Governor Sir Hercules Robinson's wife. Cook Park, established around 1882, is a strip of reserve land 30 metres inland from the high water mark of the sea, named after Samuel Cook who advocated it as a public pleasure area.
The beach's current name, Brighton-Le-Sands, was inspired by the famous seaside resort Brighton in England. Significant development of the area began with the opening of the railway to Hurstville, via Rockdale in 1884. In 1885, tramway pioneer Thomas Saywell constructed a tramway from Rockdale to Lady Robinsons Beach, along Bay Street. He also financed and built the public swimming baths, a picnic area called the Shady Nook Recreational Park, a racecourse, and the Brighton Hotel. The developments were a huge success, attracting a large number of Sydney's weekend holidaymakers.
