The Great River Walk

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Route: Tench Avenue, Tench Reserve, Nepean Avenue, Memorial Avenue, Great River Walk, Weir Reserve, Yandhai Nepean Crossing, Riverside park, Regatta Park, River Road, Nepean Street, Western Motorway Bridge

Date: 23/03/2025
From: 

Parking: Tench Reserve
Start Point: Tench Reserve
Finish Point: 
Region: Penrith / Western Sydney

Route length: 8.4 km
Time taken: 02:14
Average speed:  km/h
Ascent: 178m
Descent: 177m

Penrith’s Great River Walk is an 8 km trail that showcases stunning views of the Nepean River and the lower slopes of the Blue Mountains. The heart of the route is the popular ‘Bridge to Bridge’ loop, approximately 6.4 km long, linking the M4 Bridge and the Yandhai Nepean Bridge. This section is perfect for both walkers and cyclists. For those wanting to explore further, the extended walk includes scenic spots like Weir Reserve and Penrith Weir, adding some extra variety to the journey.

Along the way, you’ll find plenty of spots to pause and enjoy the scenery—including viewing platforms, picnic areas, playgrounds, restaurants, and cafés. However, please note that the lower section on the western side of the River Walk is currently closed due to flood damage. For now, you’ll need to follow the path adjacent to the road in this area. Setting off from Tench Reserve on a less-than-ideal day, we embarked on an exploration of one of Penrith’s most popular walks.

Tench Reserve received a major upgrade in 2023, featuring enhanced facilities for visitors. The viewing deck offers a unique vantage point overlooking the Blue Mountains and the Nepean River. At the northern end of the reserve, you’ll find a peaceful, picturesque spot along the river, complete with a charming row of mulberry trees in the picnic area. Nearby, convenient facilities include toilets and a playground perfect for the kiddos.

Tench Reserve

Tench Reserve

'Story Trap' takes the form of what could have been a fish trap left upon the banks of the Nepean River

Tench Reserve

Tench Reserve connects to a new pedestrian pathway along Nepean Avenue, completed in 2024 through a collaboration between Penrith City Council and the NSW Government. This pathway improves pedestrian safety on the road and finally provides the much-needed missing link to the popular Bridge-to-Bridge loop.

Nepean Avenue

Nepean Avenue leads to Yandhai Nepean Crossing (more later) and access to Weir Reserve, which is an optional extra. Weir Reserve is one of Penrith's hidden gems. It's named after the nearby Penrith Weir, which is a popular bathing spot for birds and other wildlife. The weir was constructed in 1908 to regulate the water flow in the Nepean River. After a brief ball chucking session with the dog, we returned to Yandhai Nepean Bridge to continue the bridge to bridge loop.

Yandhai Nepean Crossing

Yandhai Nepean Crossing

Victoria Bridge carries the Great Western Highway 

Weir Reserve and Penrith Weir

The striking orange bridge forms a key part of the Great River Walk’s ‘bridge to bridge’ loop, offering a safe pedestrian crossing over the Nepean River. Stretching 258 metres, it holds the title of Australia’s longest single clear-span footbridge. For me, it’s definitely one of the standout highlights of the walk.

Yandhai Nepean Crossing

Yandhai Nepean Crossing

Nepean River

Yandhai Nepean Crossing

Yandhai Nepean Crossing and Riverside Park

Entering Riverside Park

On the opposite side of the bridge, you’ll arrive at Riverside Park, home to the charming Laughin' Boy Café—a perfect spot to pause for a refreshing drink around the halfway point of your walk. From here, an accessible concrete path gently winds down to the river’s edge before leading back up to River Road, making for an easy and scenic detour.

Yandhai Nepean Crossing and Victoria Bridge

Normally, the Great River Walk hugs the Nepean River, winding through the wooded slopes along its banks. However, following a series of significant floods, this section is currently closed for restoration. Efforts are underway to remove invasive weeds, trees, and vines, and to replant native ground cover species to help stabilise the riverbank. In the meantime, the walk continues along River Road, passing the Penrith Regional Gallery.

River Road

Eventually, the woodland gives way to open views of the Nepean River as you near the M4 Western Motorway bridge—the second crossing in the ‘bridge to bridge’ loop. Crossing the bridge is a straightforward affair, with a slim concrete barrier separating you from the motorway’s 110 km/h traffic. While it may not be the most thrilling part of the walk, it efficiently delivers you back into the tranquillity of Tench Reserve.

Nepean River

Opposite Tench Reserve

Nepean River

Tench Reserve

Crossing the Nepean once again

The Great River Walk is renowned for its scenic beauty, boasting picturesque views of the Nepean River and the Blue Mountains. This easy, well-maintained trail is ideal for walkers, cyclists, and scooter riders alike. Along the route, you’ll find plenty of amenities—including viewing platforms, picnic areas, playgrounds, restaurants, and cafés—making it the perfect spot to immerse yourself in urban nature.