Why should I visit the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo?

African animals, safari tours, open range enclosures and overnight camping accommodation are among the reasons to visit the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales.

Australia has no shortage of zoos and wildlife parks where it’s possible to interact with the animals. Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside, Sydney and the Glen-Forest Tourist Park on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula are classic examples of spots where you can hand-feed kangaroos. Then there are others in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia where you can hold a koala. Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, meanwhile, offers a wide range of global wildlife in a glorious harbourside setting.

The Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales, offers something very different. Recently rebranded as the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to show off its links to its more famous sister zoo, this attraction goes for an open range feel.

To buy Dubbo Zoo skip-the-line tickets, book here.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo: Safari-style

The Dubbo zoo is designed to be explored safari-style where possible. The focus is on the African animals that need more space than Taronga’s Sydney site can give them. Expect elephants, lions and antelopes, roaming as freely as is possible and safe.

Giraffes at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. Photo copyright Destination NSW.

The $43.20 entry price to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo allows you to see most of the animals, but there is a massive range of optional add-ons.

Extras you can pay for including hiring a bike or a cart to get around. There’s also a Savannah Safari Tour on board a large safari truck, which includes commentary. You can also book animal encounters with hippos, giraffes and big cats.

It’s not all about getting you to splash out extra money, though. There are several keeper talks at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo and feeding sessions that are put on for free at various times of the day. Due to their popularity, it’s advisable to pre-book your slot on these.

Dubbo Zoo accommodation

For the full pseudo-safari experience, it’s also possible to stay overnight at the Dubbo zoo. The Western Plains Zoo offers accommodation in tents, cabins or a plusher safari lodge.

Tickets for the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo are 10% cheaper when bought online. You’ll have to really want to go, though – the Sydney to Dubbo drive takes five hours. But there are plenty of other attractions, and a surprisingly large number of people. The Dubbo population is around 40,000.

Dubbo accommodation options include the well kitted-out Cattleman’s Country Inn and Serviced Apartments, the helpfully central Palms Dubbo Inn and family-friendly Discovery Parks Dubbo.