Western Sydney Could Get 20 New River Beaches
Western Sydney could soon get up to 20 new sandy river beaches. A new plan flags potential swim spots along the Georges, Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers, building on the runaway success of Penrith Beach.
For a region that sits more than an hour from the coast, it’s a big deal. The idea is simple: turn the rivers we already have into places to swim, paddle and spend summer, without the drive to the eastern suburbs.
Where they could go
The proposed sites stretch across the west’s three major river systems: the Georges River in the south west, the Nepean around Penrith, and the Hawkesbury out towards Windsor and Richmond.
The concept isn’t brand new. In 2024, Business Western Sydney’s Our Rivers report assessed 22 locations across the region and floated ideas like a netted jetty pool on the Hawkesbury near Windsor, an urban lagoon at Camellia on the Parramatta River and a beach at Haigh Park on the Georges River.
The Penrith Beach effect
Penrith Beach proved the west wants this. Since opening in December 2023, Penrith Beach has drawn more than 330,000 visitors, and the NSW Government has funded it for the next two seasons.
It also set the template. Lifeguards patrol daily in season, and the site has shaded seating, outdoor showers, change rooms, accessible toilets and more than 350 car spaces. Lake Parramatta got its own beach upgrade in 2024, showing the model can work beyond Penrith.
Where to swim this summer
The new beaches are still on the drawing board, but you don’t have to wait to get in the water. Penrith Beach typically reopens in early December, and Lake Parramatta’s beach is just down the road in North Parramatta. Further out, Yarramundi Reserve and Bents Basin remain local favourites for a river dip.
River water quality can drop after heavy rain, so check conditions before you swim at any unpatrolled spot.
