Things to Do in Penrith Sydney: Seven Top Picks

Penrith is a Western Sydney suburb on the Nepean River, and the seven picks below run from the river to the wildlife parks and then to Parramatta. Most stops need a train plus a bus or a car, so choose two or three for one day. You do not need a tour for any of them, but a few have tour options that save the driving.

1. The Great River Walk and Nepean River: the easiest first stop

The Great River Walk along the Nepean River is the easiest first stop in Penrith, and it is about 8 km long. Penrith City Council says the main Bridge to Bridge loop is roughly 6.4 km and links the M4 bridge and the Yandhai Nepean Bridge. You pass viewing platforms, picnic spots, playgrounds and cafes, with views of the river and the Blue Mountains. Neither the council nor Destination NSW says whether the walk is free or lists any entry cost, so check with the council on (02) 4732 7777.

Not every part is open. The council says the viewing platform opposite the Penrith Regional Art Gallery is closed after vandalism, and the northern section between the gallery and Regatta Park is closed for repairs. Check the council's Nepean River map before you go.

Penrith is about one hour from Central Station by train, according to Destination NSW, and the drive takes about 50 minutes. Neither official page names a train line or station, so use the Transport for NSW trip planner for times. With only a day in the centre, a hop on off bus sydney ride covers more of the sights without the long ride out.

Penrith also works as a base for the mountains. A day tour to blue mountains leaves from the city, but you can also start from Penrith by train or car, since the range begins just west of town.

The river itself suits kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, and paddlewheeler cruises run on it. Destination NSW lists these as river activities, but it gives no prices.

Pro Tip Walk the Bridge to Bridge loop, about 6.4 km, in the morning, then eat at the cafes near the Penrith Regional Art Gallery before you move on. Destination NSW also names High Street Depot and Cafe at Lewers in the gallery garden, Percy Plunkett cafe and Rusty Penny Brewing.

2. Penrith Whitewater Stadium: rafting for ages 12 and up

Penrith Whitewater Stadium offers rafting and kayaking on a man-made river, and you must be at least 12 years old. Destination NSW calls it one of only a few man-made rivers of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Trained river guides lead the sessions.

The course is at McCarthy's Lane, Cranebrook, about an hour west of the city. The page lists no prices and no opening hours. You can phone (02) 4730 0087 or email whitewater@sport.nsw.gov.au to book.

Adults who want a thrill will find this the strongest pick on the list. This also makes a good group outing for friends, since you raft in a crew.

3. Sydney International Regatta Centre: open space on the Olympic lake

The Sydney International Regatta Centre is a 178-hectare site with walking, cycling and running paths, and it opens up on days without a big event. Destination NSW says it was built for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has a rowing and sprint kayak course.

On quiet days you can use the barbecue areas and open spaces for an all-day outing. Jetpack Adventures, sailing and dragon boating also run there. The entrance is Gate A on Old Castlereagh Road, Penrith.

Opening hours and event days are not listed on the page, so check before you drive out. Public transport to Gate A is not described either, which makes this stop easier by car.

4. Sydney Zoo at Eastern Creek: the big zoo of the west

Sydney Zoo is a large wildlife stop in the west, and it is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. The official site lists free parking and an address of 700 Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek. It shows a family bundle of two adults and two children for A$110, but it did not list single tickets on the pages checked.

The zoo says its Australia precinct has koalas, kangaroos, quokkas and wombats. The listing also names chimps, lions and elephants, and flat paths that suit prams and wheelchairs.

Sydney Zoo entry starts from €34.50 per person. Reviewers give it 4.2 from 27 reviews, and Sydney Zoo Pty Ltd runs it. The price includes admission, daily keeper talks and feeds, and on-site parking. Food and drinks are not included. You can cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.

Because the zoo sells its own tickets, the listing is only worth using if you like to book through one site. Compare the final price on both pages before you pay.

5. Featherdale Wildlife Park: koalas and kangaroos near Doonside

Featherdale Wildlife Park is a koala and kangaroo park at Doonside, and it is open 8 am to 5 pm every day. The park is at 217 Kildare Road, Doonside. The park's visit page lists adult entry at A$49, children aged 3 to 15 at A$29, and free entry for children aged 2 and under. It names bus route 729 from the station.

Most people go by train, bus or car without a tour. If you want a driver, the Featherdale private tour with hotel pickup starts from €187.61 per person. It scores 4.4 from 34 reviews, and King of Tours runs it. The tour lasts 4 hours, for a private group of up to 30 people. Entry tickets, an air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included, and the listing gives no meeting point beyond the hotel pickup. Kangaroo feeding and the koala photo are not included, and you add them on the day, subject to availability.

For a longer day, the Blue Mountains tour with Featherdale and Scenic World starts from €130.01 per person. Its rating is 4.4 from 196 reviews, and M8 Explorer Australia runs it. The tour lasts 11 hours and leaves at 7:30 am from 812 George St in Haymarket, so you arrive 10 minutes early. Lunch is not included, and the page says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Groups hold up to 24 people, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.

Things to Do in Sydney's count of GetYourGuide listings on 25 October 2026 found 11 of 298 with Featherdale in the title, from €124.86 to €1054.12.

Key Takeaway For Featherdale alone, the park ticket at A$49 is the cheapest route. The €187.61 private tour only makes sense if you want a driver and pickup.

6. Junior tree ropes course: a climbing morning for small children

The Junior Tree Ropes Courses at Western Sydney Parklands suit children aged 3 to 7, and adults watch from the ground. The tree ropes session starts from €24.47 per person and lasts 2.5 hours. It is rated 4.9 from only 10 reviews, so treat the score as early and read recent comments before you book. Treetops Adventure Western Sydney runs it, in small groups of up to 10.

The meeting point is Treetops Adventure Western Sydney in Western Sydney Parklands, 749 Elizabeth Drive, Abbotsbury. Arrive 15 minutes before for the safety briefing, and wear closed-toe shoes. Bring water and sunscreen.

The course is not for children under 3, pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Food and transport are not included, but you can cancel free up to 24 hours before.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 25 October 2026.

7. Parramatta: Old Government House and the park, closer to the city

Parramatta is the closest of these stops to the city, and the express train from Central takes about 25 minutes. Destination NSW also lists an F3 ferry from Circular Quay in roughly 85 minutes, and says low tide can stop services. It lists the drive at about 30 minutes via the M4.

Old Government House dates from 1799 and is described as Australia's oldest surviving public building. Convicts built it, and it housed the first ten governors of the colony. Volunteer guides lead tours of the rooms. Parramatta Park surrounds it, with more than 80 hectares of gardens, playgrounds and picnic space.

The page does not give current opening times or prices for Old Government House, so check the National Trust before you go. Pair this stop with a day in the centre, or use it when Penrith feels too far. Our getting around Sydney guide explains how trains and ferries work.

How to choose things to do in Penrith Sydney

Choose by who you travel with and how much time you have, and plan two or three stops, not all seven. Trains and buses make Parramatta easy and Penrith slow, so a car helps for the rest.

Pay for trains, buses and light rail with an Opal card or a contactless card. Transport for NSW caps the adult fare at A$19.30 a day from Monday to Thursday and A$9.65 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. A long ride to Penrith still stays under that cap.

If wildlife is your main reason for going west, our guide to sydney zoo prices compares Sydney Zoo, Featherdale and the other parks across the city.

A good day out west is one place done slowly, not five places done in a rush.

One honest limit applies. If you have only a few hours in Sydney, Penrith is the wrong choice, because the train alone takes about two hours there and back. Stay in the centre or try Parramatta instead.