An arts & culture guide to Penrith

Art galleries & creativity

Art is all around you in Penrith. Look out for the large murals by local artist Shannon Boyd depicting hometown heroes like NRL star Nathan Cleary, Olympic canoeist Jess Fox and surfer Mick Fanning. Step inside the Penrith Regional Gallery (once the home of Modernist artists Margo and Gerald Lewers) to view more than 1,600 works of modern art.

Penrith Regional Gallery, Penrith

Visit the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (known locally as The Joan), a cultural hub with performances of live music, theatre, opera, comedy and more. Create your own art with a painting class at Pinot & Picasso, where you can let your inner creative run wild.

Pinot & Picasso, Penrith

Quirky museums

Penrith is also the place to indulge your offbeat interests. Learn about the history of fighting fires at the largest Museum of Fire in Australia. Take a trip back in time at the home of letterpress printing at the Museum of Printing. Check out the local collection of naval forces memorabilia at the Nepean Naval Museum. Or indulge your inner engineer at Model Park, home to a model car track, a radio-controlled boat pond, model trains and more.

Museum of Fire, Penrith

History & heritage

Penrith is one of the oldest European settlements in the state, dating back more than 200 years. Learn about local history at the Arms of Australia Inn Museum, housed in a building dates back to 1826. Jump in the car and follow the 50km Penrith Heritage Drive through the surrounding region to see well-known historic sights, hidden gems and beautiful scenery. Alternatively, learn about Penrith’s colonial history on the 11km Penrith Heritage Walk, which takes you through Penrith, along the beautiful Nepean River and across to Emu Plains.

Penrith Regional Gallery, Penrith