Seven summer activities for thrill-seekers in Penrith

Beat the heat and learn new skills this summer at Cables Wake Park. This world-class watersports wonderland offers the most fun you can have in and on the water in Sydney, with cable skiing, wakeboarding and knee-boarding for both beginners and pros. Expert coaches are on hand to teach you the basics and all safety equipment and gear are included in the session price. Cool off post-ride in Cables’ Aqua Park, featuring all the inflatable slides, trampolines and obstacles of your childhood dreams.

Prepare to get soaked with a heart-pumping rafting experience at Penrith Whitewater Stadium. All the fun takes place under the guidance of friendly and highly trained staff who will take you on an action-packed ride down the only manmade river of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. This 90-minute experience is recommended for confident swimmers aged 12 and over, as even the world’s best paddlers have been challenged by the 14,000 litres per second of raging whitewater flowing over the moveable obstacle system.

Penrith beach is now open! Until March 3, residents from across Sydney are invited to enjoy this pristine swimming spot, which is the same size as Bondi. Penrith Beach is located within a former quarry site and runs next to the beautiful Nepean River, making it the perfect place to cool off in, on and around the water. Pack a towel, your togs and some tasty snacks for a relaxing day out at Penrith Beach.

Unleash all your anger and frustration at Sydney’s ultimate chamber of destruction, Smash Stuff. Here, you’ll get to (with a baseball bat or metal pole, no less) smash a crate full of breakable items, including all the glassware, ceramics and electronics that your angry little heart desires. Throwing things at the wall is also considered a healthy coping mechanism, and there are TVs and colour bombs to add on for the most raging and reckless among us. 

Step outside your comfort zone and see Western Sydney from a different point of view with a helicopter tour. Taking off from Penrith’s Nepean Aerospace Facility, these scenic 20-45 minute flights provide breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, the Warragramba Dam, Lake Burragorong and beyond. You can even touch down mid-flight for a leisurely lunch, all organised by the city’s longest-running commercial helicopter operator, Sydney Helicopters. 

Get a little wet and wild on the water by hiring a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard from Horizon Line. You can paddle down the majestic Nepean River in a tandem boat or take in the surrounding river scenery from a fresh angle on your own SUP board. You can hire the equipment for a one-hour power session or go all in with a half or full-day adventure.  

Sydney in summer can be pretty unpredictable, but the fun doesn’t stop at Penrith’s favourite driving range, Aqua Golf. Rain, hail or shine, this golf complex provides friendly competition for the whole family, with prizes of up to $500. All you have to do to win is hit those pearly white balls into targets dotted across the lake. You can hit the day away, with sessions running from 10am till late daily, except on Christmas Day.