The Western Plains Zoo is a ’must see’ if you are in Dubbo. The animals are free to roam in large exhibits, not your usual cages.
Make sure you allow a couple of days to look around.A one day admission gets you in free for a second day as well. It’s best to go as early as you can in the day when most of the animals are awake.
Bikes are a great option – you can bring your own or hire them out there. The 6-seater golf buggys are great but get there early if you want one. (10 min before opening time will get you near the front of the queue and secure you a buggy)
Click here for the official Taronga Western Plains Zoo website, or go directly to this page to find out the current admission prices. If you prepay online you get a discount and save 10% on Zoo entry.
Our two favourite exhibits are the siamung apes and the otters. The otters are a hit for the kids, make sure you see them at a feeding time when they go chasing prawns. The Siamung Apes are crazy and fun, feeding time is just after lunch and well worth it as they put on a spectacular show to mark their territory to the assembled visitors.
Click here to find out more about some of the individual Exhibits.
The tiger at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo! It’s hard to catch the tiger on the move, on warm days they like to sit round a fair bit – but here’s a good shot of a tiger on the move.
The giraffes are great – so gentle and graceful. They are fairly active and can be seen strolling around and snacking on tree leaves. Here is a giraffe showing off her height!
An elephant throwing dirt on its head.
A Camel at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW.
Here is a photo of a Zebra at the Zoo.
any overnights available at the zoo for early morning / night sight seeing tours?
There is a ‘zoofari lodge’, might be best to contact the zoo for details.
We like to throw a picnic basket in the back of the car and take our own food to the Zoo – there are some great picnic areas on the way round and BBQ areas too.
If you are on bikes make sure you take plenty of water in your backpacks!
I thought the zoo was great but something should be done about the kiosk food display. No family could afford the prices.
We have become ‘Zoofriends’ and so we have a yearly pass.
We pay it back in our first 2 or 3 visits, and as a bonus we can get into Taronga Zoo in Sydney as well on the same pass.
It also means we can take our time, see a few animals each day over a week. It’s great!
i have a question is it a good idea to get your tickets at a place like the nrma or at the zoo to save some money before going to the zoo
i loved the zoo its self 10 out of 10 but as for the food far to costly when u have a familly and the service at the kiosk was just plain awful -1 out of 10
hi i was wondering what the would be closes to western plain zoo…also which is the closes caravan park….
They need more Animals i think they should have elephants because i love elephants
Hey dude is the zoo open during the night as well as day? My partner and I both work shiftwork and can only get there for one night, and the following day we head home for the central coast..
oh my god thats the best elephant ive ever seen its soo beautifull lol xxxxxxx
oh ps hi everyone lol
Does anyone know what entry costs are for the zoo?
Thanks
Kelly
hey everyone
i been in the zoo a few years ago and loved it,just thinking of going back again with my 3 younger kids.and yes i have to agree the food is way to expencive even back then.
hey wayne how much for family pass if you would know.
thanks
zita
what are the admission prices for the zoo in dubbo?
What are the entry costs into the zoo and how much does it cost to do the animal feeding or interaction???
What is the cost for adults and children what age is classed as an adult
There is a link in the main article above that says “click here to find out the current admission price“
We just visited the zoo today and hired one of the carts they have there, they are a bit pricey at $69 for 3 hours but I think they really are worth it for the experience of it, it adds to the adventure! Especially good for disabled people too :-)
hi every1 i am comming to dubbo zoo for a school excursion my school is in woobye its a 10hr trip 4 ur over night we get to stay in a motel yeah g2g luv ya all especally cutie guys
Hi we’re thinking about taking our son to the zoo for his 3rd birthday but was wondering if you have a bbq area?
This is for the Dubbo Zoo, also in the gift shop do you have the shirt i went to Tarong Zoo in Dubbo not Sydney?
Can you ride Elephants at Dubbo Zoo? If not where can you in Australia?
It was so great at the Dubbo Westain Plains Zoo and great for the kids!!
I’m going in a few weeks. I just wanted to know are the animals restricted to small enclosures?
Your site has only 2 accommodation places. Surely there are many more. Are these only ones you recommend.
No there are more of course, but because I live here I don’t stay in any motels, so it’s hard to recommend accommodation. Dubbo Tourism site lists all the places to stay, along with descriptions and photos so that might be better.
I just remember the time my father took me when i was i yr old and know i am 14
Is dubbo zoo open on sundays.?
Hi there, just a local Dubbo girl here and I have noticed a lot of people asking questions about the zoo on here. You would find all your answers at the zoo link below, or contact the zoo. http://www.taronga.org.au/western-plains-zoo/plan-your-visit/general-information/hours-and-rates.aspx For Gemma who was wondering, no the animals are not kept in small enclosures, it’s a lovely zoo with nice open spaces. I am a zoo friend and it costs around 100 per year for an adult. I went with some family members on an early morning zoo walk recently, while they were being fed and it was well worth it too. Have fun in Dubbo!
how do you get to be a zoo person
Yep Zoo open Sundays. You can sign up for Zoofriends at the gate or from their website
That’s absolutely amazing mate !
hey everyone
the zoo is amazing and over the past few years the zoo have changed.
the zoo stays are amazing! early morning walks are also good to do.
if you are looking for more info on the zoo, other attractons or accommodation visit dubbo’s website which is http://www.dubbo.com.au
Nice pictures. That Giraffe sure has a long neck. That Tiger looks angry!!! And god that Zebra looks hungry!!!
i really love animals and i love the animals that are at all zoos
At Tronga park zoo in Sydney we saw a pregnant elephant.
But we just missed her have her babies!!!!
We will be visitng Dubbo this weekend and want to visit the zoo. Can we get to the zoo from the CBD by bus??? We won’t have a car
As far as I know there is no bus to the zoo but taxis are available.
Do you do deals if there is about 12 or more people in one group?
Dear Wayne, Sounds great, haven’t been yet, am looking forward to a visit in the next 2 months, but want to take our Jack Russell puppy, I know there is pet friendly accomodation but what to do with her while at zoo for 2-3 days, would appreciate your input, Thankyou.
Hi i’m Brittany Morgan I live in Tamworth and is going to Dubbo Western Plains Zoo next week and I can’t wait,I went to Toronga Zoo in Sydney when I was about 5 or 6.I don’t really remember much,so I’ll proberbly see you there!!!
I would like to know if you can hire a buggie to get around the Zoo?
Hi Wayne, I will leaving Sydney on Sunday from Burnt Earth at Ingleside, I should arrive around lunch time.I will be staying at Cattleman,s motel on Sunday night, I,m happy to deliver your water feature pots on Sunday or Monday, you can call Scotty, on 0404315076,any time, I will set up a water feature, as I have 2 different size pumps ,and would like to see which one works better for you, The Pharoah Water features all look great.. I have your number and will call you when I,m approaching Dubbo. Thanks Scotty.
YEs you can – an electric motorised golf buggy.
they are great pictures i expecially like the giraffe picture
What a great place to be!
could you please send zoo times and costs we are going to be there on the 3/12/2010. we have accom and we are pensioners and what consessions apply. warren
how i would love to have the job of being a tiger keeper. it was the most thrilling thing ive ever done to feed the tigers. it was a dream come true. i just wish it went longer. but thats me i love tigers way to much. i wanted to hug them (lol) i was that close dam fence haha.
but thank you so much to the keeper.
i was just wondering if you can please tell me the names of the tigers i forgotten. please and thank you.
ty
Admission price is far too expensive. For myself, my partner and our toddler to drive around in our own car it would be $90, let alone bike or cart hire, or food. Lucky our son is under 4, or there’s another $22.
I know you can become a Zoo Friends member, but that isn’t particularly useful for visitors who are not likely to be in Dubbo (or Sydney) more than once or twice. It’s very disappointing, actually.
My partner an I travelled from Perth for the holidays. On out to do list was the zoo. We travelled 210kms each way. Very little value for money. $90.00 a couple entry, 69.00 buggy hire and – WHERE HAVE ALL THE ANIMALS GONE!!!!!!! How can families afford this. We spent a couple of hours there and saw mainly kangaroos. We are all for spending money on entertainment, but come on lift your game.
Well there is no doubt about it – the Zoo does cost a bit to get into. For our family it’s $153, it will be more when our youngest hits 4. It’s good to know that before you go. For around double that you can get a Zoo friends pass that gets you into Taronga as well. Plus locals can get in half price from time to time. http://www.taronga.org.au/taronga-western-plains-zoo/visitor-information/mates-rates/discount-zoo-entry
No – that doesn’t help someone from Perth!
I think zoo friends passes will get you into any government owned zoo in Australia, just ask. At least they used to. We got into Melbourne zoo for free because we were zoo friends a few years ago. At the moment locals can get in for $19 per adult, less for kids. Anyone can go to the new visitor centre, see the monkeys, lemurs and use the playground for free.
it is a great place to visit, and
dubbo is a wonderful city to live
We are a group of seniors who would like to visit the zoo on Thursday 1st September could you please advise opening hours and prices and if you have transport available as some members will not wish to walk. Thanking you Wendy Schilder Carseldine Probus
Hi. Im wanting to visit the zoo with my partner and my daughter that is 3 years old. It would be great to experience the whole 2 days worth and to stay overnight and to also hire a buggy. How much would this roughly cost me? Be great to hear back from you :)
we are angry that we were not given the choice of a two day pass. in fact we were not told that we had to purchase a two day pass until we had paid for same. then we found out that the pass was for consecutive days which for us was not possible . this information should be made available before one buys the ticket
i went to dubbo on a school trip and it was great
The zoo was AMAZING! Service at the cafe’s were very good and we just loved it. The otter’s were my personal favourite though. What a great day!
Can I buy gift vouchers for Dubbo Zoo, how much for 2 adults. Will a 1 day ticket allow enty on a second day ?
i want to do work experience at the dubbo zoo, is that possible? im in year 10 and keen as :D
Hi Will be coming to the zoo in a couple weeks and just looking at the best way of getting around with Husband & 2 little kids. Thinking the golf cart is good option. Does this scare the animals away at all?
Golf cart is a great option and no the animals don’t get scared by it at all.
james and kerry pardy, the second day was free