A day trip to Penrith: What to see, eat and do

Running along the western edge of Sydney, on the banks of the Nepean River and close to the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Penrith feels a world away from the hustle of the city. This quiet, leafy suburb hides an adventurous spirit with thrilling activities on the water or in the air. Refuel at chic cafes and cosmopolitan restaurants, then toast the end of a successful day at a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar.

8am: Breakfast Time

With a busy day ahead, you’ll need to start with a hearty breakfast. In the centre of Penrith is Mr Watkin’s, a cosy café by day and small bar by night, styled like the 17th-century library of Captain Watkin Tench, an officer on the First Fleet who led an expedition to the area. Tuck into smashed avo on toast, hollandaise brekky or truffled scrambled eggs, or keep things simple with one of their signature ‘bread pies’. Essentially a supersized toasted sandwich, they’re filled with a full fried breakfast, spaghetti Bolognese or Philly cheesesteak.

9am: Kayaking on the Nepean

The Nepean River marks the western border of Sydney, threading for almost 200 kilometres from Robertson in the Southern Highlands to Yarramundi, north of Penrith, where it becomes the Hawkesbury. Its tranquil waters make for a perfect start to your day in the west. Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from High Line on the western side of the river and cruise gently through the spectacular scenery with rocky cliffs, lush bushland and an abundance of birdlife. Two hours of kayak hire will set you back just $40 and a SUP is $45.

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11am: Great River Walk

After you’ve returned your watercraft, wander down to Regatta Park on the edge of the water to start a section of the Great River Walk. The whole walk is around eight kilometres, though you can take it easy and explore a shorter distance of the pretty parks, picnic spots and viewing platforms. Don’t miss the Yandhai Nepean Crossing, a striking pedestrian and cyclist bridge that spans more than 250 metres across the river.

12pm: Lunch at The Orchard

Breakfast will be a distant memory by now, so it’s time to start thinking about lunch. The Orchard sits just off the Great River Walk on the eastern side of the river, and you could happily spend the rest of the afternoon nosing around this sprawling venue. There’s a restaurant, café, takeaway shop and garden bar, serving everything from chic modern Australian share plates to fish and chips, sandwiches and cocktails. Then relax on the rolling green lawns, wander through the orange orchard, set the kids loose
in the huge playground or warm your toes by the two outdoor firepits.

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1pm: Watersports

Penrith is Sydney’s unofficial capital of thrills, with a huge range of exhilarating activities on offer. This afternoon, you can choose your own adventure. The Penrith Whitewater Stadium was built for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, hosting the canoe and kayak slalom events on its 320-metre manmade river. Today, you can board a yellow inflatable raft with up to eight people (and an experienced guide) to tackle the challenging, Grade 3 rapids. You’ll need to be a confident swimmer – and be prepared to get very, very wet – as you traverse the tricky obstacles and corners with 14,000 litres of water per second thundering around you. Whitewater rafting tours are suitable for people aged 12 and up, take around 90 minutes and are priced from $160 per person.

Looking for something a little faster? Head for Jetpack Adventures, part of the Sydney International Regatta Centre next door. Feel like James Bond as you are buckled into a harnessed Jetpack or your feet are strapped onto a Flyboard, lifting you up to 10 metres in the air with powerful water jets. Ten-minute flights are priced from $175 with a minimum age of 10.

Nearby, Cables Wake Park uses two manmade lakes on the edge of the river for waterskiing, wakeboarding and kneeboarding. It’s suitable for everyone from absolute beginners to experts, with cables moving at different speeds and lessons to get you started. The Aqua Park is great for families (including kids over five), with jumping pillows, inflatable slides, climbing frames, and more all floating on the water. Cable sessions start from $49 for one hour and entry to the Aqua Park is from $27 per person.

4pm: Indoor skydiving

After you’ve dried off, there are two more adventurous options waiting for you in Penrith. if you’ve ever dreamed about skydiving but have a fear of heights, then iFly Indoor Skydiving is the place for you. The vertical wind tunnel perfectly replicates the experience of jumping out of a plane, though you will be only a metre or so off the ground. Each jump gives you a ‘freefall’ of 50 seconds – longer than a skydive from 14,000 feet!

Alternatively, live out your Ninja Warrior fantasies at Tru Ninja. This revolutionary adventure park aims to replicate the experience of the cult favourite TV show with up to 100 obstacles, giving you the chance to scale climbing walls, swing between rings, wade through foam pits and jump onto the oversized stunt pillow.

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6pm: Cocktails and sunsets

There’s no better place to catch the sunset in Penrith than Theo’s Rooftop. This chic, Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar is on level eight of the Astina Suites hotel and looks out over the Blue Mountains. Sit back with a cocktail (we like the Wake Up Call – Ink gin, elderflower, prosecco and citrus), snack on truffle arancini and wagyu sliders, and reflect on an unforgettable day in Western Sydney.

7:30pm: Dinner is served

Once the sun dips below the horizon, make your way downstairs and you’ll find Penrith’s best dining and drinking spots within walking distance. It’s all neon lights, pastel pink and shared cocktails in glass handbags at Checho’s Mexican restaurant. Or head to the dark and intimate AG for an elevated Mediterranean menu of tuna crudo, wagyu cooked on the hibachi grill and indulgent duck fat potatoes.

9pm: Buzzing bars

If you know where to look, Penrith has a buzzing small bar scene that will keep you entertained well into the wee hours. Elton Chong is an 80s-style dive bar inside a former Korean restaurant, complete with classic arcade games and technicolour murals from local artists. Every weekend, the music is live, loud and late, with crowds of locals dancing until after midnight. The Flower Shop is a speakeasy hidden inside – you guessed it –a florist. Behind a secret door and down a dim corridor, the Prohibition-themed bar is decked out with fresh flowers and serves killer cocktails.

How to get there

Penrith is around 60 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD. It’s an easy 50-minute drive along the M4 or around one hour and 10 minutes on the train. Penrith is a sprawling suburb, so the easiest way to get around is by car. There are buses available, but be sure to add extra time if you’re using public transport.

FAQs

What is there to do in Penrith?

Penrith makes a great day trip from Sydney with lots of adventurous
things do to, outdoor activities and places to eat. You can try whitewater
rafting, kayaking, wakeboarding, indoor skydiving, jetpack flying and a
ninja warrior course.

How long does it take to get to Penrith?

It takes around an hour to get to Penrith from the centre of Sydney. It is a 50-minute drive or a one hour and 10 minute train journey.

How long is the Bridge to Bridge Walk in Penrith?

The Bridge to Bridge Walk is part of the Great River Walk along the edge of the Nepean River. This section of the walk is a 6.4-kilometre loop and takes 1.5 to two hours.