A historic jetty, elegant promenade and sweeping sandy beach make for a delightful day at this coastal suburb, only a short trip away from downtown Adelaide.

Discover a picturesque seaside village with heritage charm in Brighton, a fantastic daytrip destination easily accessible from metropolitan Adelaide. This suburb is in touch with the city but has the calm of a beach town.

Stroll along the long-established Brighton Jetty and enjoy the magnificent ocean views. This concrete jetty was built in the 1990s, replacing the original wooden structure that stood here for over a century. As you walk along the jetty, look for public works by local artists and the phone tower that resembles the mast of a ship.

Brighton has a collection of interesting shops within its preserved streetscapes and historic frontages. Look for the Pier Building on the Esplanade and the art deco Civic Centre building on Jetty Road. More of the area’s heritage buildings can be seen along Old Beach Road.

Walk between the majestic fig trees that line the main roads. Catch a film at the Windsor Theatre. Approach the beach from Jetty Road and you’ll see the beautiful Arch of Remembrance, a memorial to the local citizens who lost their lives at war.

When the weather is clear, get lunch to go and have a picnic on the spacious beach. The modern Brighton Surf Life Saving Club looks over the beach from the Esplanade. Swim in the safe and calm waters or sit on the sand and watch locals fishing for squid off the jetty. Check out one of the watersports events, such as the annual Brighton Jetty Classic open-water swimming competition, which is accompanied by an outdoor sculpture show.

To the north of Brighton is the busier suburb of Glenelg. The small hamlet of Seacliff is situated to the south. Go for a trek along the coastline here and discover the perfect place to look back over the waters of Holdfast Bay to the skyline of Adelaide. You can catch a train to Brighton from the city or make the 14.9-kilometre (9.2-mile) journey by car.