by Carole Meisenhelter

Created on: June 27, 2010

The “hub of the west”, in the Orana region.

A most impressive, progressive, and thriving rural inland city, with approximately 40,000 people; Dubbo  is situated just 412 kilometers from Sydney, making it a comfortable five hour scenic drive into North Western N.S.W., Australia.   Any first time visitor to Dubbo will not only be impressed by its facilities, but also the many interesting places to explore when based there.  Start your visit by calling into the information centre at one end of town, alongside the famous Macquarie River, lined with towering red gums and leafy weeping willows.

* Climate:

Dubbo during the summer months is noted generally for being “hot and dry”.  By the middle of winter, night-time temperatures can drop to 26 degrees Fahrenheit (or minus 3 degrees Celsius).

* Attractions:

The Western Plains (open-range) Zoo, situated in a natural bushland setting (with walkways), remains open all year round, seven days a week from 9 am.  to 4 pm.  Drive yourself around almost 4 miles (6 klms.) of roadway, and park where indicated, to get out and look at various exhibits along the way or, hire a bike or electric cart to explore the wide range of animals and birds living there.  You’ll see everything from the big cats, to meerkats, including elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, camels, monkeys, zebras, rhinoceros, cheetahs, and much more.  Be sure to take your camera!  This is a good day’s outing, with barbeque facilities available and a lovely restaurant facility near the lake setting, with swans and ducks and other water birds.

The Old Dubbo Goal: Visit this fully restored goal in the main street of town.  Originally a courthouse lock-up in 1847, it then became an operational goal in 1859 according to olddubbogaol.com.au.  Walk into a solitary confinement cell and experience the spartan prison life of yesteryear.

Dundullimal  Homestead:  Also on the Obley Road, as is the Western Plains Zoo, you will find this beautiful historic homestead built in the early 1840’s.  Dundullimal is the oldest building open to the public, and belongs to the National Trust. 

Dubbo Botanic Gardens: A close relationship made with Minokamo in 1989,as a "sister city"  resulted in financial support and assistance with creating the Shoyoen Sister City Japanese Garden, which forms part of the Dubbo Botanic Gardens, in Elizabeth Park.

* Accommodation:

With over 70 opportunities to stay over in Dubbo, from four star motels, hotels, backpackers, caravan parks, lodges, farm stays, bed and breakfasts; there’s room for everyone!

* Meals out:

 Dubbo is never short of somewhere to eat.  A range of restaurants, bistros, take-aways, cafes and coffee shops.

* Swimming:

If the weather is hot, and you’re staying in a motel, you might enjoy their swimming pool facility too.  Otherwise, there is the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre with an Olympic sized heated pool, fun for the kids in the children’s pool or on the water-slides.  You might prefer a dip in the cool waters of the Macquarie River. 

Enjoy a stroll about the township, there’s lots  of up-market and popular stores to call into’ something for everyone in the family.  Stop for a meal, or a coffee.  Take a drive out of town and see the expansive farming properties.  The red soil plains of Dubbo is primarily wheat, sheep and cattle grazing land, with some canola and lucerne crops.  Whatever it is you choose to do while in Dubbo, you can be assured it will be a visit worth taking.

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