Dubbo
Camp under the stars at the award-winning Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, northwest of Sydney. Home to hundreds of animals, the zoo is a major attraction in NSW. From Dubbo, explore the beautiful countryside. The drive to the Mudgee wine region is only 90 minutes.
About Dubbo and its famous zoo
Dubbo attracts visitors from around the world to its award-winning Taronga Western Plains Zoo, an open-range sanctuary that houses hundreds of animals. For an exhilarating and memorable adventure, you can even camp by a billabong inside the zoo next to friendly native animals.
Dubbo is northwest of Sydney in country NSW. The delightful drive from Sydney through picturesque countryside is five hours and the train journey is 6h 30 min. You can also fly from Sydney to Dubbo Airport, where there are plenty of rental car choices.
The Western Plains Zoo is spread over 300 hectares. Many rare and endangered species are in the zoo, the only place in Australia where you can see African elephants. It's also one of the few zoos in the world that you can explore on foot or by bike, cart or car.
Enjoy animal encounters and talks daily, with animals such as black rhinos, meerkats, giraffes, elephants, zebras, lions and ring-tailed lemurs. Stay a night under the stars in the Billabong Camp, a campground next to a waterhole in the native wildlife section.
There are plenty of other things to do and do see in the Dubbo area, including a heritage walk to admire Dubbo's historic buildings. Check out Old Dubbo Gaol, which recreates colonial prison life. Enjoy lunch at tranquil Shoyoen Sister City Garden or a horseriding lesson at the Western Plains Riding Centre.
At Narromine, learn about gliding and Australian aviation at the Narromine Aviation Museum or visit the spectacular Wellington Caves in Wellington. In historic Gilgandra discover more about pioneering and Aboriginal history. From there, it's easy to get to Warrumbungle National Park, formed from an ancient volcano.