The 5 Best Things To Do in Dubbo (2020 Update)

Situated around 5 hours from Sydney is the city of Dubbo. It’s a destination that history lovers will enjoy, but there’s plenty on the go here to keep those with a broad range of interests entertained. As a key agricultural centre, Dubbo offers delicious paddock to plate dining pleasures, and there are numerous family friendly attractions to check out! There’s also no shortage of opportunities to get out of town and immerse yourself in the rugged rural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Here’s my very own guide to the 5 Best Things to do in Dubbo.

First Let’s Talk about the Logistics- Planning a Trip to Dubbo

What to Pack

Outback NSW is on the top of everyone’s bucket list and you can be so busy planning your trip you may forget to pack some essential items. That’s why I’ve made an essential Travel Packing list that you can use when you visit Dubbo, so you have everything you need for your trip and be prepared for any season. You can also download a FREE PDF version too!

If you are interested in upping your photography game then you may also want to see what’s in our camera bag for all the best travel photography gear we use when we travel. There is plenty of beautiful spots around Dubbo so be sure to pack a good camera!

Accommodation

The accommodation options at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo range from budget to luxe. I stayed at the Zoofari Lodge and would highly recommend this experience for couples and families alike!

There are also plenty of options available on Airbnb that range from budget to luxe. Here are some favourites I’ve found:

Or if you prefer Hotels, I always find the cheapest rates by searching Hotels Combined– I’ve pre-filled Dubbo for you below so just click search and explore what’s on offer!

Take a look at the 5 best Things to do in Dubbo!

1. Stay at the Zoofari Lodge in Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Dubbo’s major attraction is Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Out of the 5 best things to do in Dubbo, staying at the luxurious Zoofari Lodge would have to be at the top of the list! To give you an idea, it’s like being on a luxe African Safari- without even having to leave Australia!

Your stay at Zoofari lodge also includes a 2 day ticket to the Zoo where you can make your way around the circuit on foot, by bicycle, car or in an electric cart. The new Lion Pride Lands enclosure is also a must-see.

Click here for my full post on Staying at the Zoofari Lodge!

2. Do Time in Old Dubbo Gaol

Old Dubbo Gaol is a heritage-listed former gaol from the 1800’s which has now been turned into a museum and tourist attraction. A $20 admission per person allows you to take a self guided sensory tour through the restored grounds of the gaol.

Enter through the heavy wooden doors and visit the main cell block where life-like mannequins in prison attire illustrate the daily life of prisoners. The cell blocks ring with voice recordings of prisoners hollering and shouting over the top of one another, which, although unsettling, makes for a fascinating experience and should not be missed on your list of things to do in Dubbo.

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3. Indulge in Dubbo’s dining scene

Dubbo has an exceptionally diverse dining scene and there is plenty of options to choose from, however here are 2 recommendations:

Breakfast- Make sure you start your day the right way with some delicious breakfast at the Short Street Store. Try the ‘Belle’s Breakfast’ option which offers 2 eggs on thick cut multigrain sourdough with house made beetroot hummus, goats cheese, avocado and 2 rashers of bacon. You won’t be disappointed!

Dinner- For dinner look no further than Veldt Restaurant. The beautiful modern contemporary design of the restaurant immediately sets the mood and the food service is exceptional!

For Entree we ordered the Roasted Field Mushroom, warm quinoa salad, grilled corn, feta & salsa rossa.

Then, for main we ordered the Slow cooked Lamb Shoulder for 2 with truffled potato puree, vegetables, petit peas (with bacon), caramelised onion puree, glazed baby carrots, onion textures & red wine jus. And Wow! The lamb shoulder was falling off the bone and the meat was so juicy and flavoursome. There was nothing to fault on the entire meal.

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4. Walk through Dubbo’s Heritage City Centre

There’s a ton of history in Dubbo with lots of beautiful old historic buildings to see! If you have some time, take a stroll on the Dubbo City Heritage Walk- which highlights all the most significant and interesting places to see. The walk takes in many ornate heritage-listed buildings around town and each site you visit has its own story. You can pick up a map and brochure from the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre (which is also where the walk starts).

5. Explore the night sky at Dubbo Observatory

If you are in Dubbo when the weather is good and are looking for something different to do in Dubbo at night, then there is no better place to view the stars, planets and galaxies through the telescopes at the Dubbo Observatory. They also let you take astro-photographs of nebulae or star clusters through the telescope with your DSLR camera!

Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of top things to do in Dubbo? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

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