Head to Penrith, just an hour's drive west of Sydney, for a fun getaway packed with action, adventure, great food and a trip to the theatre. 

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES IN PENRITH

Go white-water rafting

Raft or kayak at the only man-made white-water course in the southern hemisphere, Penrith Whitewater Stadium, built to host the canoe and kayak slalom competitions in the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Guided and unguided tours are available. 

Indoor sky-dive 

Experience the thrill and excitement of skydiving without jumping out of a plane. iFLY Indoor Skydiving is safe for kids, and a realistic skydiving experience for anyone looking to challenge themselves. 

Fly with a jetpack 

Fly as high as 10m above the water at Jetpack Adventures, at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, where you can make like James Bond and fly across the water with a jetpack or flyboard. You'll find the Sydney International Regatta Centre next to Penrith Whitewater Stadium. 

Fun on the river 

Explore the Nepean River by canoe or kayak (BYO or hire one from Horizon Line) — or on foot, along the banks — and observe the amazing wildlife along the way. Don't miss the Yandhai Nepean Crossing, a new pedestrian bridge completing the 7km loop section of the Great River Walk.  

Try wakeboarding 

Try cable skiing, wakeboarding and knee boarding at world-class facility Cables Wake Park. Kids aged six and over will enjoy the new inflatable Aqua Park which has slides, trampolines and obstacles to climb. There's also a playground and splash pad for toddlers. 

Fight fires 

Explore the drama and danger of fire and firefighting, and learn about the history of fighting fires at the Museum of Fire, the largest museum of its kind in Australia. Kids will be enthralled by the collection of fire trucks and can experience first-hand what it's like to be a firefighter when they take command of a fire engine in the simulator in the Junior Firefighter Zone. 

Race go-karts and start a paintball war 

Go-kart with the whole family at Luddenham Raceway. Kids can race around the rookie track, while adults can put their pedal to the metal on the thrilling pro-circuit. At the outdoor paintball facility, you can make use of four expansive and themed fields and state of the art paintball guns and equipment. 

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN PENRITH

Visit the gallery 

Discover a dynamic mix of exhibitions, workshops and other programs the wonderful Penrith Regional Gallery, home of the Lewers Bequest. Then take a break in the heritage garden café, which serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. 

See a show 

Enjoy a drink at the bar or a meal at a nearby restaurant before heading to performing arts centre The Joan to take your seat in the 660-seat concert hall or 380-seat drama theatre. World-class performances in music, theatre and dance are often on the events calendar.  

TOP SPOTS TO WINE AND DINE IN PENRITH

Café lunch at its best 

Lunch, brunch or breakfast at Percy Plunkett, a wonderful 21st-century café in an intriguing 19th-century building. Pop-up dinners may be available later in the year. Or try the tempting menu at locals' favourite Henri Marc. 

Have a next-level burger 

Make your way to Burger Head for a menu with offerings ranging from the 'Classic Cheese' hamburger to the 'Mike Tyson,' a vegetarian burger also available as a vegan meal.  

Sample sake 

Buy from the cellar door at Sun Masamune, the only sake brewery in Australia. Tour the factory, try the sake or the Go-Shu Plum Wine and try out their beautiful skincare range, which includes soaps and moisturisers. 

Order a flight of craft brews 

Sample Penrith Lager, the Nepean Craft Pale Ale and a garage full of other lovingly made beers at this tiny craft brewer, Rusty Penny Brewing. Non-beer drinkers will enjoy Rusty Penny's crisp and dry Just Cider.  

Go boutique in a laneway wine bar 

Relax over a glass (or a bottle) of small-producer wine at Allan Grammar, a small-but-beautiful wine bar with a small-but-perfectly formed wine list. Treat yourself to a little slice of laneway culture, and dine in style.  

Where to stay 

After all that fun and adventure, you'll need to find somewhere to lay your sleepy head. For a bed in the heart of the action, Mercure Penrith is a 222-room hotel adjacent to the sprawling Penrith Panthers rugby league club, an events centre full of dining and entertainment options.  

Small groups can book self-contained one- to three-bedroom Astina Central apartments for up to eight guests, as well as at Astina Suites. If you have a large group, Cables Lodge at Cables Wake Park has dorm-style rooms ranging from four to 24 beds.  

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