Hidden gem of Western Sydney
Located between Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Penrith is a charming city that offers a unique blend of urban amenities and stunning natural beauty. From its picturesque parks and lakes to its vibrant cultural scene, Penrith has something to offer to everyone. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or a culture vulture, this hidden gem makes a great day or half-day trip destination from Sydney.
Getting there
Penrith is located about 50 km west of Sydney, and getting there is quick and convenient, with several transportation options to choose from. There are regular train services with the express Blue Mountains Train taking approximately 50 minutes to get to Penrith from Central Station. Driving takes about one hour on toll-free roads or 45 minutes with tolls. From the train station, most of the points of interest on this page are accessible by walking, with the exception of some of the lookouts and getaways listed towards the end.
Nepean River
Penrith boasts a stunning natural landscape with parks, lakes, and countryside views. The Nepean River is the centerpiece of Penrith and offers a wide range of recreational activities, from boating and fishing to picnicking and bird-watching. Be warned though as Penrith can get quite hot in the summer, especially when the sun is out, so be sure to bring sun block!
The crown jewel of the Nepean River is the Yandhai Crossing, a pedestrian and cyclist bridge that was constructed in 2018. It links Penrith to Emu Plains and provides spectacular views of the Nepean River. From the Yandhai Crossing there are two river walks you can do: the Bridge Loop Walk and Great River Walk.
The Bridge Loop Walk loops around the river, taking you from one bridge to another. It takes you through lush parklands and along the river, providing stunning views of the water and the surrounding countryside. The walk is about 6 long and takes approximately 1.5-2 hours to complete. Key attractions along the walk include:
- Emu Hall, a historic homestead with well-preserved colonial architecture and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. There are coffee, drink, and food options if you want to relax either before or after your walk.
- The Log Cabin, a more modern venue than Emu Hall but with similarly stunning views of the surroundings. Also has food and drink options but has more of a “pub” and less of a “cafe” feel compared to Emu Hall.
- The Riverside Dining Precinct, located on the eastern end of the southern (road) bridge with clean and modern dining options to suit all tastes. There is sometimes live music during the day.
- Penrith Regional Gallery, a free art gallery with a variety of exhibitions and events throughout the year. There is also a nice garden cafe inside with fantastic breakfast and brunch options.
- If you’re lucky enough to visit during jacaranda season (usually around October to November), you’ll see stunning purple-petaled trees dotted all along the walk. They are similar to Japanese cherry blossoms, but purple instead of pink.
The Great River Walk is a shorter walk that runs north of the Yandhai Crossing along the eastern side of the river. It feels a bit more “wild” than the Bridge Loop Walk and offers closer proximity to the river, making it popular for fishing. There is a weir which is essentially a small dam. This walk is only about 1 km long but there are plans to extend it in the future. Parts of the walk are sometimes closed due to flooding.
Shopping and dining
If shopping, eating, and drinking are more your scene then Penrith has plenty of options. First is the Westfield shopping center right next to the train station. It has your usual shops and supermarkets that you’ll find in your typical Australian shopping center, although don’t expect many Asian or luxury brand shops. There are real trees and plants inside which is interesting, reflecting the area’s country town vibe. If you’re hungry there are plenty of food and drink options inside with three food courts and more sit-down style restaurants along Riley St. For a classic Aussie pub experience you can also visit Red Cow Hotel right next to Westfield which has a garden and terrace and historical photos of Penrith inside.
The second option is High St, which is also quite close to the train station and lined with heaps of good restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. It’s a nice street for walking where you can really soak in the country town vibe. A few interesting shops and restaurants:
- Sweet Surprises, sells a lot of overseas (American, British, etc) sweets and candies so you can literally feel like a kid in a candy store.
- Checho’s, a slightly upscale Australian style Mexican restaurant with a full bar.
- Mr Watkins, a cafe by day and bar by night, really good for coffee, drinks, and food any time of the day. The entrance is a bit unassuming but head inside for a cosy and rustic interior.
There are also a few microbreweries a few kilometres from the center of Penrith, including Rusty Penny Brewing which has a great selection of craft beer and BBQ food.
Activities
If you’re the more adventurous type, there are several activities you can do in Penrith:
- Cables Wake Park, a bit like water skiing except you’re carried along by overhead cables. They offer lessons for beginners. Knee boarding is also available.
- iFly, indoor skydiving and VR gaming rooms
- Aqua Golf, enjoy a few rounds of golf by the water against mountain backdrops
Penrith was also home to a lot of the rowing competitions during the Sydney 2000 Olympics. A purpose-fit facility was constructed now known as the Penrith Lakes (officially named Sydney International Regatta Centre), one of the largest man-made lakes in the southern hemisphere. It’s a great place to picnic, go for a run, or just relax and enjoy the views. Because it was built for the Olympics, there are good amenities on site including showers. There are currently plans to redevelop the whole area but for now it’s a nice little escape from Penrith and the rest of the city.
As of December 2023, Penrith Beach is now open, which is an artifical beach built at one of the lakes with a beautiful Blue Mountains backdrop. It’s only open between the summer months of December and March. Entry is free but you need to pre-book a parking or shuttle bus pass in advance. There are toilets and change rooms at the beach but not much shade. The lack of waves in the water make this a great beach for kids and non-surfers. Also since the beach faces west, you can get nice sunset views over the water and mountains.
Nearby
You might already know about Blue Mountains National Park so I won’t go into too much detail here. It might look like it’s right next to Penrith, and it is, but Blue Mountains itself is huge. The main tourist hub of Katoomba, with well-known attractions such as the Scenic Cableway and Three Sisters, is still 50km away. Just a few kilometers away from Penrith though are some spectacular lookouts and trails:
- The Rock Lookout, really breathtaking views over the Nepean River (the photo below is a bit blurry and doesn’t do it justice 😅)
- Chalmers Lookout, really great views of the surrounding mountains and a good place to catch the sunset. There are also walking trails in the area
- Jellybean pool and track, a nice little swimming area and walking trail in the town of Glenbrook. Glenbrook itself is a nice, quaint little town with an artsy vibe and easily accessible by train, a great place for a coffee and stroll.
Penrith is actually where I live so I’m quite passionate about raising awareness of what it has to offer. If you read this post to the end and happen to make it to Penrith, please leave a comment or get in touch, I’m always happy to engage more directly with my readers!