Looking to relocate to the countryside city of Dubbo? Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Macquarie Valley, the Dubbo region trumps big cities in terms of liveability, health and education services, and offers a lively ambience with plenty to explore and discover.
Whether you’re wandering the city for the first time or have family visiting and want to show off everything it has to offer, here are the top things to do in Dubbo that won’t disappoint!
TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is synonymous with the city and sits at the top of the Dubbo tourist attractions list. A sort of “sister zoo” to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Western Plains Zoo offers a safari experience where you can catch sight of hundreds of rare and endangered animals including giraffes, rhinos, elephants and big cats, with many wandering the open plains. In fact, Taronga Western Plains Zoo is so big that tickets are valid for two consecutive days, giving you the chance to take in everything the zoo has to offer including keeper activities, tours and animal experiences. There’s even the option to stay overnight in either a self-contained Savannah Cabin or in a tent at Billabong Camp.
OLD DUBBO GAOL
History buffs will get a kick out of this famous Dubbo attraction. A state heritage listed building, the Old Dubbo Gaol, has remained surprisingly intact despite the 119 years in which it housed criminals, from 1847 to 1966. These days, the gaol serves as an unforgettable experience where you’ll encounter unsettling cells, collections such as the hangman’s kit and gallows, and have the chance to experience guided tours during the day and (if you’re up for it) ghost tours at night.
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
There are plenty of things to see in Dubbo, but the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience is among the most immersive. This interactive experience features a decommissioned aircraft that makes use of augmented reality technology to provide a simulation of what it’s like to work for one of the country’s most remote health work forces. You’ll get a chance to relive personal stories and see some of Australia’s most stunning landscapes, all while learning about the people that the RFDS has helped in its 9 decades in the sky.
OLD DUBBO OBSERVATORY
For an activity that’s literally out of this world, take a tour of the Dubbo Observatory at night and gaze upon the heavens. Peer up at stars, planets and constellations through the observatory’s telescopes, and snap a few photos of nebulas if you bring along a compatible DSLR camera for a unique post-tour keepsake. You’ll have your questions about space answered and will leave with a better understanding of our place in the universe.
RED EARTH ESTATE
Foodies rejoice – this is bound to become one of your favourite things to do in Dubbo. Located not too far from Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the Red Earth Estate winery allows you to try local varietals including Riesling, Verdelho, Torrontes, Moscato, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, all against the estate’s beautiful scenery with cheese platters on offer.
SHOYOEN JAPANESE GARDEN
Another popular Dubbo tourist attraction, the picturesque Shoyoen Japanese Garden is actually part of the larger Dubbo Regional Botanical Gardens. This means that a peaceful stroll through just one garden allows you to see many others. Free to enter, the small but beautiful Japanese quarters are very accurate to their country of origin with koi fishponds, waterfalls, a tea hut and blossoming cherry trees. Afterwards, you can check out the nearby Sensory, Oasis and Biodiversity Gardens.
If you’re making the move to Dubbo, why not consider our retirement village on the eastern fringe of Dubbo? Our safe, gated community offers a complete lifestyle experience with maintenance-free living, peace of mind, security, and a sense of belonging – with all these wonderful things to do in Dubbo right at your doorstep.
