Western Plains Zoo

Western Plains Zoo with over half a million visitors a year is a ’must see’ if you are in Dubbo.

Make sure you allow a couple of days - 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. 

Hiring Bikes is a good option - take plenty of water!

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, they put on a spectacular show. 

Elston Park - Dubbo, NSW

Bounded by Cobra, Fitzroy & Gipps Street, not as Shady as Victoria Park, but toilets and good swings for young children. There are tennis courts. I think to book them you need to cross Bultje Street and there is a house with a sign out the front where you can pay for court hire. (Please someone add a comment and let me know if this is still happening!)

Dubbo - Victoria Park

A great spot for a picnic, Victoria Park is without a doubt the best Park in Dubbo. It’s right in the centre of Dubbo, opposite the railway station, on the corner of Darling and Talbragar Streets. A great place for a walk, or game of cricket, or just to sit down and read a book, have a birthday party, whatever. Lot’s of shade.

• The best shade park in Dubbo.
• Heaps of space.
• Children’s swings and climbing frame.
• Good BBQ’s that are free and always clean.
• A duck pond - bring some bread to feed the ducks.
• Lots of Orchids in a greenhouse. A big rose garden too.
• The Dubbo Olympic Pool is in the middle of Victoria Park.

It’s often hard to find good public BBQs on holidays, but the council have just installed new free electric BBQs in Victoria Park which are very good, and plenty hot enough to cook a steak on.

Dubbo - Macquarie River

The Macquarie River flows through Dubbo. It can be nice to sit by the river if you get the right spot. At the bottom of Tamworth Street there is a walking track along the river out to the Zoo which is very nice. Here is a picture of the start of teh walking track at teh bottom end of Tamworth Street.

If you want a picnic by the river, a nice place is on the South West bank of the river, near the West Dubbo Bowling Club. From the main street heading south, turn over the bridge, then left at the roundabout, towards the Zoo. Turn first left after the West Dubbo bowlign club, into a little steep road that takes you down to a picnic area on the river bank with shelters and a BBQ.