Western Sydney’s favourite swim spot, Penrith Beach, is opening for an extra day on the new Anzac Day public holiday and operating with extended hours for the Easter long weekend so people can make the most of the season.
The beach will be the place to be on Easter Saturday, 4 April with free ice-creams and hot drinks offered to the first 300 visitors and a DJ and food trucks set to be on site as part of a community day.
It’s continued to be a popular destination welcoming 118,000 visitors so far this summer and almost 450,000 since opening in December 2023.
While it’s welcomed beachgoers from all over most visitors are local to Western Sydney, including 37 per cent from Penrith, 19 per cent from Blacktown, and 12 per cent from the Hawkesbury LGAs.
Across the Easter long weekend, Penrith Beach will continue to be open daily, with the season now to be extended to include the new Anzac Day public holiday on Monday 27 April.
Importantly trained Surf Life Saving NSW lifeguards patrol the beach daily, to make sure it’s a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Beyond being a great spot to cool off this summer Penrith Beach has also hosted a number of great free water and sun safety programs.
The free Junior Lifesavers Program was extended due to its popularity, giving 120 local children the chance to learn essential water safety skills from Royal Life Saving experts in a fun and supportive environment.
In partnership with Royal Life Saving NSW, Surf Living Saving NSW and NSW Maritime, about 300 people have also participated in free Community Water Safety Days at Penrith Beach, aimed at increasing confidence and awareness among groups with limited water-safety experience, including newly arrived refugees.
A further 159 people received free skin cancer checks onsite over four days in summer, resulting in 12 people being referred for further health assessment.
The Minns Labor Government has already committed to opening Penrith Beach again during the 2026-27 summer.
For more information, visit NSW Planning.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
“More than 118,000 people visited Penrith beach to cool off this summer, and I’m thrilled we’re extending the season as the warm weather continues.
“Western Sydney communities deserve to have access to swimming facilities without driving for hours. Your postcode shouldn’t matter when it comes to a free and accessible place to enjoy the water.
“It’s wonderful to see the community continue to embrace Pondi and make it a Western Sydney favourite.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“Penrith Beach has become one of Western Sydney’s most iconic summer destinations, and its success highlights how vital it is for Western Sydney to have free, accessible and enjoyable places to swim and relax by the water.
“The Minns Government has introduced a new public holiday this year on the Monday after ANZAC Day so we’re extending the season to include it so beach goers can make the most of their favourite swim spot over the upcoming long weekends.”
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:
“Penrith beach has had another amazing season offering thousands of Western Sydney locals a free place to cool off close to home this summer.
“The Minns Labor Government is ending the season with a bang, hosting a community day full of family fun on Easter Saturday and extending the season for the new public holiday on April 27 so we can make the more of our favourite swim spot.”