Pondi

When the Penrith Beach was first opened in 2023 there were many who were doubtful that it would be popular.  After all, the beach was created using the sand and gravel from a quarry. It has no trees, no shade, and the Council were so halfhearted about the idea that they installed a couple of Portals and a demountable (to use as a dressingshed) for its facilities.  The locals dubbed it Penrith Pond because it was flat and shallow. But in Penrith, where it is 10 degrees hotter than the rest of Sydney, it provided a welcome refreshing dip, and the Penrith Pond joke was forgotten.  By the time it reopened in December 2025 it was known generally as Pondi — the Penrith Bondi.  A place that has established a successful popular name has to be considered a permanent feature of the landscape.  At the moment, however, it closes at the end of summer so we may not be up to the Pondi Icebergs — not yet.