Western Sydney Lakes is located 3km north of Penrith CBD adjacent to the Nepean River and bordering Penrith's Great River Walk. 

Western Sydney Lakes has a rich history. For thousands of years, the Nepean River was an important place for the Darug people. It was later used as a European settlement, and in more modern times for agriculture and quarrying, as a venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, a community meeting space, and a sporting venue for rowing, kayaking, and regattas.

The Castlereagh site was previously a quarry operated by Boral, Holcim, and Hanson that supported Sydney’s housing and infrastructure projects for generations. Over the last 36 years, the site has undergone extensive rehabilitation and is now unrecognisable due to extensive work to regenerate the landscape and rehabilitate ecosystems and biodiversity. The most notable feature of the site includes a series of lakes which together form a ‘recreational lake system’ that are 20% larger than Lake Burley Griffin in the ACT. 

The composition of such an abundance of freshwater and beaches against the backdrop of the World Heritage Blue Mountains is unmistakably striking and memorable. 

One of the recreational lakes is being opened as Penrith Beach for this summer as a trial.

Penrith Beach is a sandy beachfront on the banks of a pristine lake at Western Sydney Lakes. It offers an unmatched waterside experience in the heart of Western Sydney where people of all ages and backgrounds can safely enjoy the water for free.

Penrith Beach is located within Western Sydney Lakes, off Castlereagh Road.

There will be signs to Penrith Beach along Castlereagh Road. 

There is limited parking available and it will get busy. You must pre-book your FREE parking pass in advance. This process is managed by NSW Government.

There will also be a kiss and drop area at the beach as well as a shuttle running from Penrith Station every day from 22 December, 2023 from 11am - 3.30pm

For your parking pass and additional information, please visit:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/penrith-beach

No, just like any other beach in Sydney it is free for the community to enjoy. However, parking is limited so you must pre-book your FREE parking pass in advance on this website:

‍https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/penrith-beach

Like most beaches across Sydney, the sandy foreshore at Penrith Beach doesn’t have tree cover for shade. We recommend you bring beach umbrellas, tents, and cabanas along with you to enjoy the beach in a sun-safe way.

We recommend you bring your own food and drinks from home as we expect these outlets to get very busy.

Please do not bring BBQs to Penrith Beach as it presents a fire risk.

Pets are not permitted at Penrith Beach or within Western Sydney Lakes as they pose a risk to native wildlife.

The Penrith Beach season has been extended until 25 April 2024, open to the public on weekends and public holidays from 9 March between the hours of 10am - 6pm, then 10am - 4:30pm from 7 April 2024, at the end of daylight savings.

Yes, the water is safe for swimming. It is tested daily by Beachwatch which monitors water quality at swim sites across NSW. You can check the water quality for Penrith Beach at any time on the Beachwatch website:

‍https://www.beachwatch.nsw.gov.au/home

Penrith Beach has a sand area that is a similar length to Bondi Beach. Plenty of space for you, your family and friends to enjoy a beachfront experience in the heart of Western Sydney. 

The lake itself is 121HA.

Yes. Lifeguard services and first aid will be available in the designated and patrolled swimming zone.