A busy town and the main centre of the state’s central west, Dubbo is a good place to break your journey. The town has a good range of attractions but the highlight is the excellent Western Plains Zoo.
Corner Brisbane & Erskine Streets, Dubbo
Tel (02) 6884 1422
Website www.dubbotourism.com.au
Open 9am-5pm daily
CountryLink trains connect Dubbo with Sydney and Greyhound Australia buses stop in Dubbo en route between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Dubbo Buslines run Dubbo’s local bus services. Bus fares range from $1.90 to $6 depending on the distance travelled.
87 Brisbane Street, Dubbo
Tel (02) 6882 0922
The Dubbo Regional Gallery features four galleries with space for temporary exhibits. The Armati Bequest is a new branch of the Dubbo Regional Gallery at the Western Plains Cultural Centre (76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo), which specialises in the Animal in Art theme with works featuring animals in a variety of media.
165 Darling Street, Dubbo
Tel (02) 6881 4342
Website www.wpccdubbo.org.au/regional-gallery.html
Admission free
Open Mon & Wed-Sun 10am-4pm
This regional museum at the Western Plains Cultural Centre has a permanent exhibit on the people of Dubbo, which chronicles the changing face of the city. There is also a space for temporary exhibits.
76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo
Tel (02) 6801 4444
Website www.wpccdubbo.org.au/regional-museum.html
Admission free
Open Mon & Wed-Sun 10am-4pm
This old prision is now a museum that features animatronic mannequins.
90 Macquarie Street, Dubbo
Tel (02) 6882 8122
Website www.olddubbogaol.com.au
Admission $15
Open 9am-5pm daily (last entry 4.30pm)
The Western Plains Zoo is Australia’s first open range zoo and one of the countries best zoos. The zoo was established to provide open spaces for – mostly African – animals that need more extensive grounds than could be provided in city zoos. It is home to 82 different species. Although the zoo has a focus on African wildlife, there are animals from around the world including many native Australian animals. There are extensive cycling and walking paths around the zoo. The zoo covers around 300 hectares so renting a bike is probably the best way to see it.
Obley Road, Dubbo
Tel (02) 6882 5888
Website www.zoo.nsw.gov.au
Admission $37 ($23 students)
Open 9am-5pm daily (last entry 4pm)