Yandhai Nepean Crossing - Penrith

Yandhai Nepean Crossing, is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge between the Penrith and Emu Plains side of the Nepean River officially opened on 28 October 2018 by the Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Stuart Ayres, Member for Penrith. The crossing is Australia’s longest single clear-span bridge, measuring 284m in total length with a 200m main span across the Nepean River. It replaces the undivided footpath next to the roadway on the nearby Victoria Bridge.

The word ‘Yandhai’ contains elements of Darug language, and means ‘walking in past and present’. ‘Nepean’ has been kept in the name to signify the bridge’s place. ‘Crossing’ (instead of bridge), signifies both the bridge’s modern purpose and the historical use of this location along the river as a significant crossing.

 The new crossing gives a much improved bridge to bridge circuit walk of 6.4km via the Penrith Valley Bridge


See my earlier post



reference link 2  

Museum of Fire - Penrith

The Museum of Fire houses many large vehicles and other fire fighting apparatus from the 1800s to the modern era.

The collection includes 1891 the Shand Mason Steamer, a fine example of 19th century, horse-drawn, steam-powered technology  and the 1785 Merryweather Hand Drawn Pump

The museum is housed in the former Penrith Power Station, which dates from 1953. It was in use till 1970 when the state wide power grid took over.
In addition the museum includes 'Fire Safety in the Home' and Bush Fires displays. It is a short walk from Penrith Station.

Mamre House

Mamre House, at Orchard Hills, is recognised as a property of State significance. This substantial Georgian homestead, was the residence of the Rev. Samuel Marsden during the 1820s and 1830s. He was a colonial chaplain, magistrate and pastoralist who helped pioneer the Australian wool industry by importing and breeding the famous Merino sheep. 


The property later became the residence of Richard Rouse, a prominent public servant and grazier. It is now leased to the Sisters of Mercy who run a program combining job creation, training and tourism, for people returning to the workforce, those with a disability, and refugees.

Mamre House

Companion Garden

As well as the training centre, Mamre House includes a restaurant and tearoom (closed Mondays), a plant nursery and gift shop.
                           

                 Location map

Buses from St Marys railway station: 776 bus (Mamre Rd. just after Motorway at St. Clair)  775 bus  (turns off at nearby Banks Drive St. Clair)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penrith - Nepean River Walk

This walk started on the western side of the Nepean River at River Road Reserve Emu Plains, crossed over the Nepean Valley Bridge to Tench Reserve, a popular picnic spot on the eastern side of the river.

About half way along River Road Emu Plains, is the Penrith Regional Gallery (below). This was once a small rural property that became the home of artists Margo and Gerald Lewers. Their daughters donated the site, buildings and gardens along with an art collection to Penrith City Council. We stopped here for refreshments at ‘Café at Lewers’, which has a pleasant outlook of the cottage garden.

Lewers Gallery Emu Plains

The front door of Lewers Gallery and a sculpture by Sonia Farley, made from Banksia wood from the collection at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest

Eastern Water Dragon

Rail bridge over Nepean River, Penrith

                                 Walk location map                                                                   


We turned away from Tench Reserve at Jamison Road and walked on to Panthers Leagues Club.
There is a limited bus service from here, see Blue Mountains bus services.

There is also another walk along the river, under the Victoria Bridge (road) and the adjacent 1907 Rail Bridge (see above photo) past the weir reserve. This walk is a short distance from Penrith shopping centre.

Nepean Belle have boat cruises that extend into the Nepean Gorge.