Water play and swimming for kids in Western Sydney, Penrith & the Hawkesbury

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25 places to cool off across the region: water parks, pools, beaches, lakes and swimming spots, nearest first from Penrith. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.

Everything on the map

Over the border

Blue Mountains →Central Coast NSW →Newcastle & the Hunter →Parramatta & the Hills →South-West Sydney →
Nearest first, from Penrith

Waterfalls, lakes and swimming

Pool illustration
Pool
Ripples Leisure Centre
Penrith
under 5 min
Water park illustration
Water park
Cables Aqua Park
Penrith
under 5 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Dive In Swimming Academy
Jamisontown
under 5 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Werrington Lake
Parkland lake with an environmental trail marked by 13 sculptures of local animals, plus barbecues and picnic spots overlooking the water.
about 5 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Jordan Springs Lake
About 30 minutes' walk around the lake to watch water birds, with a multi-age playground and fitness stations.
about 5 min
Water park illustration
Water park
Penrith Whitewater Stadium
Castlereagh
about 5 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Sydney International Regatta Centre
Walk, ride or run around the Olympic rowing lakes on non-event days, 6.30am-7.30pm; closed for recreation on event days. Entry via Gate A, Old Castlereagh Road.
about 5 min
Penrith Beach
Swimming spot
Penrith Beach
Lake beach at Penrith Lakes with lifeguards in season; closed for 2025-26, and 2026-27 dates are not yet published. Car access only, free parking; no BBQs, alcohol or pets.
about 10 min
Photo: Yucalyptus, CC0
Pool illustration
Pool
Ripples Leisure Centre
St Marys
about 10 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton
Emerton
about 15 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Mount Druitt Swimming Centre
Mount Druitt
about 15 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Hawkesbury Oasis Fitness & Aquatic Centre
South Windsor
about 25 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Richmond Swimming Centre
Hobartville
about 25 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Woodcroft Lake
A lakeside circuit walk in Woodcroft with fitness stations along the way.
about 25 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Pughs Lagoon
Picnic spot at the edge of Richmond with black swans and other water birds, shade, seating, toilets and big lawns for running around.
about 25 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Riverstone Swimming Centre
Riverstone
about 25 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Warragamba Pool
Warragamba
about 25 min
Pool illustration
Pool
Blacktown Aquatic Centre
Blacktown
about 25 min
Sydney Action Park
Water park
Sydney Action Park
Pemulwuy
about 25 min
Photo: Mary and Andrew, CC BY 4.0
Pool illustration
Pool
Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope
Stanhope Gardens
about 30 min
Lake illustration
Lake
Lakes Edge Park
An 800 m shared path circles the lake at The Ponds, with a shaded playground beside the water, barbecues and seats.
about 30 min

Big playgrounds

Big playground illustration
Big playground
Regatta Park
Emu Plains
112-metre riverside pavilion with water play and a sandpit, plus a fully fenced adventure playspace on the Nepean River.
under 5 min
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Gipps Street Recreation Precinct
Claremont Meadows
Fenced inclusive playspace, pump track, skate park and parkour on a 32-hectare precinct; open 6am-10.30pm (water play closed for maintenance).
about 10 min
Nurragingy Reserve
Big playground
Nurragingy Reserve
Doonside
Wawai Ngurra inclusive adventure playspace plus the Wren water playspace (closed in winter) and three more play areas.
about 20 min
Photo: Franz Venhaus from Australia, Public domain
Big playground illustration
Big playground
Bungarribee Park playground
Bungarribee
Climbing tower, slides, flying fox, swings and water play; the Play Tower is closed for maintenance at present.
about 25 min
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.