If you are lucky enough to be visiting the Central West Region of NSW, then you must spend a day (or two) at Dubbo Western Plains Zoo. We have managed two visits there. Once when the kids were little and once a couple of years ago when we heading home to Cowra.
FREE-RANGE ANIMALS
Dubbo Western Plains Zoo is one of the largest free-range zoos in Australia, covering an area of about 300 hectares. It is home to over a 1000 different animals. You can see everything from lions to tigers, elephants, antelope, monkeys etc. There are virtually no fences at Dubbo Zoo with the animals being separated from us by the use of concealed moats.
The zoo features a 6 kilometre one way circuit that you can drive, ride or walk around. There are plenty of places to stop and view the animals as you make your way around the track, as well as picnic areas. You can hire pushbikes or golf-carts if you don’t want to drive your own vehicle and this adds to the fun of a visit there.
The zoo has undergone many changes since it opened in the late 1970’s with the most notable being the addition of accommodation options within the confines of the zoo. These range from tents to zoofari lodges (which have just undergone major renovations) to modern cabins. There are also plenty of caravan parks in Dubbo with the Big 4 being the closest to the zoo.
Dubbo itself is a large inland city with a population of over 40,000. There is plenty to see and do once you have finished at the zoo with the most notable being the Old Dubbo Gaol and Dundullimal Homestead.
Check out the following sites for more information on anything you have read.
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
