Penrith life in the 1980s

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We all know what Penrith is like today, but what was it like in the 1980s?

Esso? Pizza Hut? That’s so 80s!

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council

High Street’s many businesses have changed over the years. Pizza Hut is long gone, and the Esso service station is no more.

Tench Reserve

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council


A view of the F4 freeway from a rather bare Tench Reserve in 1984

High Street Mall

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council


Construction zone! High Street Mall under construction in 1985

The arts come to Penrith

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council


Staff discuss plans at the construction site of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre

We loved our movies

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council


The twin cinemas, owned by Mike Walsh, opened on Friday 18 December 1981. Hoyts bought the business in 1998, selling the complex in 2000, when it was turned into offices. The large building to the right is the telephone exchange.

A well-known intersection

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council


The corner of High and Lawson Streets in 1985

Now that looks like fun

Photo thanks to Penrith City Council
Photo thanks to Penrith City Council


Local residents having a blast during a raft race on the Nepean River

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