Summer has officially arrived, and in cool news for residents of Western Sydney, Penrith Beach – affectionately known as Pondi – is reopening for the warmer months. From Sunday December 7, the region’s popular swimming spot is back for its third season – fresh from a major upgrade, and with a buzzy summer program to boot.
Born from the NSW Government’s vision to give Western Sydney the breezy beach experience it deserves (without the schlep to the coast), Pondi has quickly become a warm-weather essential. Since opening in December 2023, more than 330,000 people have visited, and with the area’s population on the up, this year’s likely to be its biggest season yet.
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This summer, Pondi comes armed with extended opening hours, running from 7am to 7pm during peak heat, plus a fresh wave of upgrades funded by a $5.2 million government investment. Among the new perks, expect shaded seating areas, outdoor showers, and improved public space for picnics, sand play and lazing in the sun. The new improvements join returning essentials including accessible change rooms and toilets, more than 350 parking spaces and an access mat that extends right into the water.
To keep swimmers safe, Surf Life Saving NSW lifeguards will patrol the beach daily, and will run free water-safety programs, learn-to-swim sessions, junior lifesaver workshops and on-site skin check activations.
The beach will open daily through to April 2026, providing a full season of splash-friendly respite, while water quality will be regularly tested and publicly reported – so you’ll always know you’re swimming somewhere clean and safe.
Penrith Beach forms part of the NSW Government’s wider 'Places to Swim' initiative – a $16.7 million program bringing high-quality swim spaces to communities that need them most.
According to Member for Penrith Karen McKeown, the pop-up beach is all about community: “It’s convenient, it’s free and it’s designed with accessibility and safety at its heart.”
Want to plan your visit? Head to the NSW Government’s Penrith Beach page for opening hours, water quality updates and programming info.
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