New western Sydney beach mocked as ‘Pondi’

A new man-made beach in Western Sydney, dubbed “Pondi” by locals, has already copped criticism after it opened to the public on Tuesday.

A new man-made beach in Western Sydney hasn’t made the splash some may have hoped, with many mocking it online just one day after its grand opening.

Dubbed “Pondi Beach” by locals, Penrith Beach opened to the public on Tuesday morning, with hundreds flocking to the Castlereagh site to cool off in the heat.

The lake side beach, which was built on a former quarry and runs the same length as Bondi Beach, gives locals the chance to enjoy a dip without having to travel 40km to swim in Lake Parramatta, 63km to Bondi Beach or 75km to reach either Cronulla or Manly.

General entry to the beach is free but parking must be pre-booked, with all 700 car spaces booked out on Tuesday’s opening.

Shuttle buses also operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Western Sydney Lakes, where Penrith Beach, opened on Tuesday. Photo: Supplied

Despite being praised as a “hidden gem”, some were quick to criticise the beach on social media, blasting its limited pre-booked parking spaces.

“Limited parking at Penrith Beach? Lucky it isn’t in the middle of nowhere!” one person wrote on X.

“Anyone in Western Sydney looking to visit Penrith Beach, please ensure you either pre book parking or the shuttle …. Essentially, once the parking spots are allocated, you are unable to visit. What a joke!” said another.

“Penrith beach [is] giving Penrith lake,” another tweet read.

“The concept of a beach at Penrith is great, but I’m told you have to book parking, there’s no shade and a second mortgage could be required to buy a sandwich or a pie. If you want to look after Western Sydney look after ‘em!” said another.

Others on TikTok shared similar sentiments, with some likening it to a “dam” or “puddle”.

“Not a proper beach,” one person commented on a video shared by TikTok user ‘ezrhi’.

“That’s a Penrith puddle,” said another.

“A lake with sand you mean,” another person wrote.

“How dreamy …” said another.

“Where’s the waves at the beach?” another questioned.

The beach was likened to a “puddle”. Picture: TikTok@ezrhi

Another called the parking situation “a joke’. Picture: TikTok@ezrhi

A separate TikTok video shared by Sydney vlogger ‘rose.khater’ showed an-onsite food kiosk as well as temporary toilets, including two accessible toilets, situated on the site.

Hundreds flocked to the beach on Tuesday. Picture: [e-mail]

Portable bathrooms are located at the site. Picture: [e-mail]

However, others welcomed the new addition, recognising its benefits for local residents as the temperatures are expected to soar throughout summer.

“It’s a lake not a beach, but I honestly think it’ll be great through summer. Not a lot of outdoor swimming options in Penrith,” one person wrote on X.

“At the end of the day it’s a great option for those not near a beach and we’re so lucky to have so many clean beautiful lakes rivers and beaches,” said another.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said it was “fantastic” to see the beach open for the people of Western Sydney following a $1.7 million investment by the Minns Labor government.

“Our local communities have been waiting years for this incredible swim spot to be opened to the public, and I know locals are delighted to see this day finally come,” she said in a statement.

“I am proud to be part of this Labor Government which has finally opened the first ever beach for the people of Western Sydney.

The beach will be open seven days until March 3, 2024, except on Christmas Day.