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The pop-up Sydney swimming spots set to reopen in time for summer

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
This weekend will be full of new swimming spots, from Penrith to Barangaroo.

No doubt about it, Sydney has some of the best beaches in the world. The trick is getting to them. If you don’t live nearby, you can pretty much square away the entire day just to spend a few hours lazing ocean-side. Luckily, the problem has been solved for the summer. Several Sydney swimming spots are reopening for the season, both in and further out of the CBD, so residents further west can cool down too.

“Summer is officially here and…Sydney has more options than ever for people to cool off with a quick dip," said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully. “The reopened Marrinawi Cove, joining the newly opened Bedlam Bay and soon to reopen Penrith Beach, to give more people places to swim close to home."

Marrinawi Cove

Couple enjoying a swim at Marrinawi Cove in Barangaroo in sydney
Marrinawi Cove is back open for (swimming) business. (Image: Destination NSW)

Barangaroo’s much-loved swim spot, Marrinawi Cove, has officially reopened just in time for summer. And it’s showing off a bunch of brand new upgrades.

Leisure-seekers can now enjoy more room to relax, both in and out of the water, thanks to an additional 150 square metres of swimming space and a larger leisure area on land – beachside picnic, anyone? There’s also a new platform that is non-slip, as well as a few other accessibility improvements, and a new double outdoor shower.

To celebrate, and to send Sydneysiders into summer with a bang, a summer holiday activation will feature free live music and pop-up shops selling gelato and barista-made coffee, every weekend from Saturday 6 December until March.

“[This will] further add to the atmosphere of this incredible harbourside space where Sydneysiders and visitors can enjoy a refreshing saltwater dip right in the heart of the city," said Scully, adding that all harbourside precincts could expect some land-based fun this year.

“Beyond swimming, there will be free festive fun including concerts and Christmas markets in all our harbourside precincts from The Rocks to Barangaroo and Darling Harbour to deliver a vibrant and cheerful season for visitors and locals alike".

Pondi (Penrith Beach)

aerial shot of penrith beach aka pondi
Pondi offers a closer swimming option for Western Sydney. (Image: Vince Basile)

Meanwhile, out west, the manmade Penrith Beach (colloquially dubbed Pondi) is set to reopen this weekend, on Saturday 6 December. And swimmers can expect extended swimming hours (from 7am to 7pm in the peak of summer) and more shade and amenities than before. Not to mention, this is the only beach in Sydney that boasts views of the Blue Mountains.

Expect shaded seating areas and outdoor showers, added to the previously existing change rooms and accessible toilets, and a hydration station. Pondi is free to access, with over 350 parking spaces available, plus a free shuttle bus from Penrith Station.

“We have seen Penrith Beach boom in popularity over the past two years, with more than 330,000 people voting with their feet and enjoying this new swim spot," shared Acting Minister for Western Sydney, Courtney Houssos.

“Penrith Beach has quickly become a favourite spot for people right across Western Sydney, and [new] funding means families can keep enjoying it. It’s convenient, it’s free and it’s designed with accessibility and safety at its heart," added Member for Penrith Karen McKeown.

“Whether you’re coming for a swim, taking part in a water-safety program or simply enjoying a day out with the kids, Penrith Beach showcases the best of what our community offers".

The beach will open daily through to April 2026, and water quality will be regularly tested and publicly reported – so you can be sure a dip is both clean and safe.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Bedlam Bay

Bedlam Bay in Sydney, NSW
The water at Bedlam Bay has been marked safe for swimming thanks to RiverWatch™.

Earlier this week, we shared that Gladesville’s Bedlam Bay along the Parramatta River would reopen after decades of closure. Discover how to find it.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.