150,000 visitors make use of Western Sydney’s 'Penrith Pond'

The NSW Government has advised that more than 150,000 people have escaped the summer heat at the new Western Sydney beach in Penrith since its opening in mid-December.

Regenerated on the site of a former quarry on the banks of the Nepean River, 154,084 people visited the beach as of 28th January - 25,000 visitors on average every week since its opening.

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure figures show residents from the Penrith and Blacktown LGAs are the most frequent visitors to the former quarry site turned beach.

Many of the beach’s visitors are from suburbs including Penrith, Werrington, Castlereagh, Cranebrook, Glenmore Park, St Marys, Mount Druitt, Willmot and Marsden Park.

Dubbed the 'Penrith Pond' or ‘Pondi Beach’, the centrepiece of the Western Sydney Lakes regeneration project offers golden sands, tranquil waters and views of the nearby Blue Mountains.

The attraction is patrolled by trained lifeguards from Royal Life Saving Society NSW every day between 10am and 7pm, monitoring the beach and providing first aid.

The beach has facilities including toilets, adult accessible change rooms, a fresh-water drinking station, a café and access for people with a disability.

Commenting on the success of the site, NSW Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car stated “I am pleased that more than 150,000 people have had the chance to experience the sun, sand, and scenic mountain views at Penrith Beach. 

“This free beach has been a huge success, and throughout summer, it has been embraced by the people of Western Sydney, especially families.”

Penrith Beach will remain open seven days a week until the temporary activation concludes on 3rd March.

Images of the Penrith Beach courtesy of the NSW Government.