Penrith Beach is open for the season
Western Sydney’s favourite swim spot is back – and we couldn’t be more excited.
Since opening in December 2023, more than 330,000 people have visited Penrith Beach and with funding of $5.2 million secured in the 2025/26 budget, the next two seasons will continue to deliver a place to cool down.
Penrith Beach is part of the NSW Government’s Places to Swim program, creating great places for people to enjoy rivers, lakes, dams, and other inland waterways.
Places to Swim is more than just swimming, it is also about improving access for recreational activities around our waterways, such as kayaking, paddle boarding or walking by the water.
Find out more about Places to Swim in NSW.
Opening hours
During peak season from Saturday 6 December to 1 March, Penrith Beach is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
To help you make the most of your visit, there is no entry permitted after 6:30 pm.
Address
1454 Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh NSW 2749
What’s on at the beach
Enjoy free activities at Penrith Beach this summer.
| Event | Date and time |
|---|---|
| Junior Lifesaving Program | Saturdays in Term 1 7 February – 28 March 2026, 9:00 am or 10:00 am One-hour swim classes for kids aged 5–12, led by Royal Life Saving NSW. Master swimming, rescues, and emergency care in fun, action-packed challenges. |
| Community Water Safety Days |
Build confidence in and around the water and gain essential skills for safe swimming and recreation, led by Royal Life Saving NSW. Perfect for anyone new to water safety or wanting to build confidence. Includes water safety stations, free lunch and free time, with a free shuttle to and from Penrith Station and Penrith Beach. |
| Skin Check Champions |
Book your free skin cancer check with a qualified nurse. |
These activities are popular and require bookings. Spots are limited, so book now to make sure you don’t miss out.
Frequently asked questions
Access to Penrith Beach
Penrith Beach is located on Castlereagh Road, north of Penrith.
Access to Penrith Beach is by car only, with free parking available for up to 350 cars.
There is no pedestrian path or cycleway along Castlereagh Road.
Penrith Beach access is free.
Parking at Penrith Beach is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no parking passes required this season.
Parking is limited, so plan ahead and arrive early to find a spot.
Bring what you would normally take to a beach – towels, beach chairs, shade such as a beach umbrella, hats and sunscreen, and drinking water. Food trucks may be onsite occasionally, but we recommend bringing your own food if you’re planning to eat at the beach. To help keep the beach clean, please put your rubbish in the bins provided.
Food trucks may be available during peak times, such as holidays and weekends. Updates will be posted on Penrith Beach social media channels. We recommend bringing food and plenty of water. A fresh water drinking station is also available at the beach.
BBQs are not permitted due to potential fire hazards.
Alcohol is not permitted. We want to ensure Penrith Beach is safe and enjoyable for all visitors.
Penrith Beach offers a natural, open-air experience with limited shade. Shaded seating areas are provided, but we recommended bringing your own shade and staying sun-safe: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, and slide on sunglasses.
Penrith Beach has an emergency management plan. Please stay calm and await instructions from staff on site.
Penrith Beach will remain open. Visitors are encouraged to leave the site in the event of a thunderstorm and high winds.
Please contact one of the Penrith Beach operations staff.
Pets are prohibited at Penrith Beach. This is to ensure the safety of all visitors, maintain cleanliness and minimise disturbances to wildlife.
The beach has temporary toilets, including accessible toilets and change rooms.
Penrith Beach has allocated accessible parking and an accessible path leading to the waters edge. An access mat extends into the water, and a beach wheelchair is available. Changing rooms are also provided.
Smoking or vaping are not permitted at Penrith Beach.
Yes.
Swimming at Penrith Beach
Lifeguards patrol the designated swimming area at the southern end of the beach, which is about 110 metres long and extends about 60 metres into the water. This area is marked by red and yellow flags. Areas outside the flags are not patrolled.
The water quality at Penrith Beach has been tested for several years and is safe for swimming. We test the water quality regularly and these results are displayed through Beachwatch and Water NSW. Visitors are encouraged to check these websites and the Penrith Beach Facebook page, especially after rain, to confirm safe swimming conditions.
The water in the dedicated swimming zone is up to 4 metres deep.
Yes, you can bring your kayak or paddleboard. Non-powered watercraft are allowed just outside the buoyed swimming zone. Please note, this area is not patrolled by lifeguards, so use is at your own risk. Remember, personal flotation devices such as lifejackets are required for everyone using watercraft in this area.
Motorised watercraft are not permitted.
Fishing is not permitted. However, you can register to fish at the Regatta Centre down the road.
You might spot fish and birds, including a big family of black swans, or even a small group of pelicans – all there to enjoy the water too!
Windsurfing is not permitted.
Penrith Beach safety information in your language
Safety posters
- Penrith Beach safety poster – Arabic (PDF 973.48KB)
- Penrith Beach safety poster – English (PDF 934.26KB)
- Penrith Beach safety poster – Filipino (PDF 978.21KB)
- Penrith Beach safety poster – Hindi (PDF 879.42KB)
- Penrith Beach safety poster – Punjabi (PDF 891.28KB)
- Penrith Beach safety poster – Simplified Chinese (PDF 928.17KB)
