Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Dubbo, Australia

Ninety miles from the nearest city, Dubbo stands alone in the Orana Region of western New South Wales.

Since its establishment in 1881, Dubbo has served as a transport hub following the extension of the Main Western Railway, alongside well-preserved European architecture dating back to as early as 1841. The city is notable for its array of significant attractions that draw modern visitors.

Highlights include the expansive Taronga Western Plains Zoo, a visitor center for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a regional Cultural Centre, one of Australia’s most authentic Japanese gardens, and a meticulously preserved gaol from the mid-19th century.

1. Taronga Western Plains Zoo

This extensive zoo, housing more than 5,000 animals representing over 350 species, was established in the 1970s by the Taronga Conservation Society to provide more space for larger animals such as elephants and giraffes than what was available at its Sydney location.

The open-range enclosures can be explored via a five-kilometre circuit, navigable on foot, by bike, by car, or on an electric safari cart provided by the zoo.

A notable highlight is the Lion Pride Lands, complemented by the presence of cheetahs, Sumatran tigers, Asian elephants, giraffes, meerkats, zebras, and iconic Australian wildlife including koalas and kangaroos.

With so much to experience, zoo tickets are valid for two consecutive days, allowing for a leisurely visit without any urgency or concern for missing attractions.

2. Old Dubbo Gaol

Dubbo’s state heritage-listed gaol commenced operations in 1847 and was enhanced over the following century before its closure in 1966. Since the 1970s, it has offered visitors an engaging glimpse into a grim era of Australian corrections.

Among the noteworthy collections is the largest assortment of authentic hangman’s ropes in the nation, providing insight into the harrowing experiences of inmates within a pitch-black solitary confinement cell.

As visitors navigate through the cells and courtyards, animatronic figures and holographic displays recount daily routines behind bars and stories of some of Dubbo’s most infamous prisoners.

For those seeking a spine-tingling experience, guided tours such as the Twilight Tour or Beyond the Grave Tour are also available.

3. Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC)

The contemporary, multi-million-dollar Western Plains Cultural Centre was inaugurated in 2007 and incorporates historic features from the former Dubbo High School, established in 1917. The WPCC houses the collections of the Dubbo Regional Museum and the Dubbo Regional Gallery.

Temporary exhibitions drawn from these extensive collections address various themes, including Dubbo’s early development, wartime experiences, significant pioneers and entrepreneurs, notable Dubbo residents, and the evolution of economic activities over the centuries.

Among the invaluable artifacts is Australia’s largest and most well-preserved wool wagon and a carved tree of significant cultural importance to the local Aboriginal communities.

The centre’s art collection focuses on “The Animal in Art,” exploring challenges related to the representation of animals within visual arts as symbols, objects, trophies, and metaphors.

4. Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden

Managed by the Dubbo Regional Council, the botanic garden is situated on the eastern side of Dubbo and features a delightful array of interconnected sub-gardens.

The most popular of these is the Shoyoen Japanese Garden, which will be discussed in greater detail in the subsequent entry.

Additional spaces include the Sensory Garden, designed to engage visitors’ senses of touch, smell, taste, hearing, and sight.

Native species from the Dubbo Region can be explored at the Biodiversity Garden, while the newly established Oasis Valley Garden showcases dry rainforest species, illustrating the evolutionary journey of local bushland plants from the Gondwana supercontinent over millions of years.

5. Shoyoen Japanese Garden

The highlight of the botanic garden is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in Australia.

This garden was bestowed upon Dubbo in 2002 by its sister city, Minokamo, and embodies rich cultural references and religious symbolism.

Key features include water elements such as a koi-filled lake, streams, and a waterfall, symbolizing the cyclical nature of human existence.

Additional elements include a tea hut, known as “Chaoya,” and a dry garden landscape featuring raked gravel to represent waves, along with rocks symbolizing islands.

A particularly stunning aspect is the gate, called the “Sukiyamon,” crafted by Japanese artisans in 2013, regarded as one of the most exquisite examples of its kind globally.

6. Dubbo Observatory

One of the advantages of Dubbo’s isolation is the stunningly clear night skies that can be explored in fascinating detail at the city’s observatory.

The observatory offers a fundamental Night Sky & Telescope Tour, which commences with an engaging 20-minute presentation by an astronomer, after which illuminating stars, planets, and constellations will be identified with a laser pointer.

If visitors bring a DSLR camera, the astronomer can capture a stunning photograph of a nebula through one of the observatory’s telescopes.

For smaller groups, the Astro Exclusive Tour provides a more comprehensive and personalized experience, highlighting around 20 celestial bodies through telescopes, along with detailed explanations of each.

The observatory also hosts online stargazing experiences and a specialized Astrophotography Tour.

7. Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience

An emblem of the Australian outback, the Royal Flying Doctor Service manages a national fleet of over 71 aircraft and offers assistance to nearly 300,000 individuals annually.

This institution was established in 1928 by Reverend John Flynn, whose likeness appears on the Australian $20 note.

The Visitor Experience at Dubbo City Regional Airport provides insight into the nurses, doctors, and pilots who deliver emergency medical care across almost 7.7 million square miles.

Visitors can explore captivating stories, view an RFDS aircraft, gain an appreciation of the broad scope of this organization, and experience life in some of Australia’s most remote locations.

8. Dundullimal Homestead

This slab hut-style homestead was constructed in 1842 by retired army officer and affluent merchant John Maughan. It is now under the stewardship of the National Trust and is recognized as the oldest building of its kind in Australia.

The site, featuring a timber church, shed, and sandstone stables, vividly illustrates rural life in the isolated years following European settlement and has withstood the test of time with minimal alterations.

The homestead displays elegant touches such as louvres and a series of pane-glazed doors leading to the verandah, alongside a spacious sitting room with a tent-shaped plaster ceiling and wallpaper recreated based on a 1850 patent. An old machinery shed now accommodates a tearoom, while the property showcases essential areas for self-sufficiency, including storerooms, a sunken cool room, a coach room, and a blacksmith’s forge.

9. Tracker Riley Cycleway

Alexander Riley (1884-1970), a tracker from the Dubbo region, made history in 1941 by becoming the first Aboriginal individual to achieve the rank of sergeant within the New South Wales Police Force.

In his honor, this 13-kilometre cycleway was established, offering a route that allows visitors to appreciate the natural beauty of the Macquarie Foreshore, as well as various attractions around Dubbo such as the Dundullimal Homestead and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

For those without personal bicycles, the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre can provide guidance on available options.

10. Terramungamine Reserve

The banks of the Macquarie River, located to the northwest of Dubbo, are considered part of the traditional lands of the Tubbagah People of the Wiradjuri Nation. In addition to being a burial site, it served as a gathering place for various tribes throughout the region.

Evidence of past activities remains in the form of rock grooves, created by Aboriginal individuals sharpening their tools and weapons.

One outcrop extends over approximately 100 meters and contains more than 150 of these grooves.

The reserve also contains a campground for overnight stays, featuring essential amenities such as picnic tables and toilets, as well as areas for river access, suitable for kayaking or swimming.

11. Dubbo Heritage Walk

At the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre, a range of brochures is available, including a guide to this straightforward yet informative walk around the historic CBD.

This pathway allows visitors to trace Dubbo’s evolution from a village in the 1850s to a town and, ultimately, a fully-fledged city by 1966. Numerous remarkable landmarks are situated along Macquarie Street, such as the National Australia Bank Building (c. 1907), the Milestone Hotel (1882), and of course, the Old Dubbo Gaol.

Nearby, in front of Victoria Park, stands the heritage railway station, which opened in 1881 and remains one of the few stone-built station complexes on the NSW line.

12. Wellington Caves & Phosphate Mine

A must-visit day trip from Dubbo involves this series of limestone caves and the accompanying WWI phosphate mine, located roughly 45 minutes from Wellington.

These caves attracted the attention of early palaeontologists due to visible fossilized bones of megafauna, such as giant kangaroos and diprotodons from the Pleistocene period.

As of May 2020, two different tours were offered.

One allows entry into the expansive Cathedral Cave, renowned for its prominent stalactite known as the Altar, measuring 15 meters tall.

The Phosphate Mine tour provides a glimpse into shafts excavated over a century ago, showcasing some of the bones that have fascinated natural historians.

13. Narromine Aviation Museum

Continuing the aviation theme, visitors can proceed along the A32 to the Narromine Airport, where a well-curated museum is operated by enthusiastic volunteers.

Narromine Airport holds historical significance as Australia’s oldest regional airport and was used as a secret WWII training base, educating nearly 3,000 pilots.

The museum recently unveiled a new wing featuring three unique aircraft: the world’s only flyable replica of the 1907 Wright Flyer Model A, a Corben Pober Super Ace (1935), and an original Hawkridge Venture glider (1953). An exciting remnant from WWII is a Rolls Royce Merlin 25 engine that was employed in the No. 618 Squadron RAF’s de Havilland Mosquito bombers.

While visiting Narromine, attendees may also take a detour to view the statue of Glenn McGrath, renowned as one of the greatest bowlers of his generation, who originated from Dubbo but was raised in Narromine.

14. Dubbo Visitor Information Centre

For those uncertain about where to begin their journey, excellent information centers are available both in Dubbo and in Wellington, located 50 kilometers to the southeast.

These centers are particularly beneficial for navigating the relatively remote areas of the Orana Region.

While planning your itinerary, you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a cup of tea or coffee while relaxing in a shaded alfresco area with free Wi-Fi access.

Facilities include a water and charging station, a nearby playground for children, and convenient public restrooms.

The staff at the center are also prepared to offer recommendations on attractions, natural areas, and local events, in addition to providing pamphlets and brochures.

15. Dubbo Farmers’ Market

One of the premier regional events in Dubbo is a highly popular farmers’ market, held on the first and third Saturday of every month, rain or shine.

Visitors can purchase seasonal produce, herbs, flowers, nuts, plants, honey, olives, olive oil, preserves, jams, marinades, sauces, wine, cider, fresh bread, and a wide variety of locally-raised lamb, beef, and pork.

Arriving early offers an opportunity to enjoy a range of delicious and nutritious breakfast options, from bagels to freshly-roasted coffee.