A vibrant neighbourhood nestled within the sprawl of Western Sydney; Penrith shines through as the adventure capital of New South Wales and a vastly underrated holiday destination. Hailed for its depth of historical landmarks, outdoor leisure and adventure sports, this town depicts the perfect blend of old-world charm and contemporary living. The suburb’s centralised location garners significant interest from travellers aspiring to explore the otherworldly Blue Mountains and Greater Sydney. A wonderful community with a bounty of options, fuel your wanderlust on your next adventure to Western Sydney.
Explore the ins and outs of the New South Wales Adventure Capital
A 50-minute drive west of Sydney, Penrith is in a league of its own, boasting an endless list of alluring adventures.
Lying on the banks of the Nepean River, Penrith is a breath of fresh air with nothing more magical than the Great River Walk. Wander along the 6.4-kilometre loop trail absorbing the sights bestowed to the land with stunning views of the Nepean River and the encompassing Blue Mountains. Divide the walk into smaller sections with a stop at one of the quaint cafes, viewing platforms, picnic areas or the Penrith Regional Gallery dotted along the trail.
Discover what separates Penrith from the pack at one of several adrenaline-fueled adventure parks located within the region. Make a splash at Cables Wake Park & Aqua Park equipped with water skiing, wakeboarding, and a state-of-the-art inflatable Aqua Park. Tackle the rapids at Penrith Whitewater Stadium – the centrepiece for the slalom events at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
For a slight change of pace, delve into the archives on the Penrith Heritage Drive. Glide through the storied streets of Penrith traversing 27 historic sites in your Hertz rental car. Notable landmarks include – The Victoria Bridge, Saint Thomas Church, Mamre House, Arms of Australia Inn and the Penrith Weir celebrating Penrith’s 200-year history. Housed in Penrith’s Old Power Station along the drive is one of Australia’s greatest collections of firefighting antiquity at the Museum of Fire. Other popular historical activities include – the Penrith Regional Gallery, Penrith Museum of Printing and Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.
Explore Greater Sydney and Beyond with the Best Day Trips from Penrith
Looking to go beyond Penrith? It’s effortless with a Hertz rental car. With Sydney just less than an hour away, you’ll soon be amidst an array of dining, shopping, entertainment and world-class attractions. Take a stroll along Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, and the old cobblestone streets of Australia’s oldest European settlement – The Rocks. Bathe in the majesty of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, uncover the artistic idioms at the Art Gallery of New South Wales or spy the wildlife at the world-renowned Taronga Zoo. Once you’ve checked off the city’s icons including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour, make your way to some of the city’s top beaches. From Bondi to Manly, Bronte to Palm Beach, it’s all easily accessible in your rental car.
If you prefer the calm of nature over the charm of the city, escape to the misty valleys of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Here, you’ll find awe as you cast your eyes over Jamison Valley and the famed Three Sisters from the Echo Point Lookout. For the adventurous ones, you can scale the 6.3-kilometre Grand Canyon loop trail near Blackheath or venture underground to the world’s oldest known caves – Jenolan Caves.
Whether you choose to stay in Penrith or to explore more of what its neighbouring suburbs have to offer, it’s the perfect steppingstone to life in Greater Sydney and beyond. Explore Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Wollongong, Jervis Bay, and a whole host of other fantastic travel destinations all within reach with your Hertz rental car.