Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

When it comes to Australian Zoos, Dubbo Zoo or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo has become one that almost every Australian family hopes to visit at least once before the kids leave home. Opening way back in 1977, it was established to provide an alternative spacious living and breeding space for large animals like elephants and rhinos. Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo has been delighting visitors ever since.

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo : A Rainy Day at the Zoo

When to Visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Working out when to visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is a quandary many families face. Is summer to hot? Winter too cold?

In our experience, if you prepare in advance, almost any time will be perfect to visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo. Summer provides more daylight hours to explore the grounds, although the heat can be overwhelming. Winter is cooler, but I figure you can layer.

We visited Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo during the October school holidays. It rained the previous night and continued to drizzle in the morning. We grabbed some ponchos and headed, off undeterred. What it did mean was that Dubbo Zoo was almost devoid of visitors despite all the animals being fairly unaffected by the weather. By lunchtime the sky was blue. Best day ever!

Of course, as you would well expect, the school holiday periods will be the busiest and the on-site accommodation peaks at those times (you will need to prebook).

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Hours

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is open every day of the year INCLUDING Christmas Day from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. During the school holidays, the gates open at 8.30 am.

Tickets

Your ticket is valid for two consecutive days which allows you to pace yourself and take as long as you need to move around the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.

As of January 2018, tickets start at $43.20 per adult and $25.20 for children 4 – 15 years. Adults can purchase an annual pass for $110.00 (also valid at Taronga Zoo Sydney) which provides a maximum of 2 free child passes.

Save up to 20% off gate ticket prices when buying online. Conditions apply*.

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Book a Buggy or Bike

Yellow plastic poncho flapping around me, I ran to the Hire Centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo narrowly missing a few puddles on the way. I was concerned that we would miss out on an electric cart. I was surprised to find that not one cart was yet to be hired and that I was, in fact, the first person to arrive. Come to think of it, the pouring rain could have something to do with it. The other family we were travelling with had stayed back at the cabin.

You do realise that there is no refund on hires? You will get wet. The cart doesn’t protect you from the rain” we were told. I laughed and confirmed that we wanted to proceed with our booking. We set off, two umbrellas at the side to protect the kids, all of us with ponchos on. A little rain (and mud) wasn’t going to stop our adventure.

The buggies and bikes cannot be prebooked. To secure your buggy we highly recommend arriving on opening. You will need your license for security. Just be aware, the kids cannot drive the buggy. It is a registered vehicle.

Electric carts are $69.00 per three-hour hire. Drivers must be over the age of 21 with full driver’s license. Carts can be hired from the Hire Centre on arrival (no pre-booking). Subject to availability. (as of January 2018)

There are many options for moving around Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo. You could walk (although it is some distance) or ride your own or a hire bike, You can drive your own car or you can hire an electric cart like we did. 

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

What if it rains at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo?

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo when it is wet is muddy. It’s slippery and it’s squelchy. However, if you are dressed appropriately, you will still have a good time. Most animals still graze, and play, and sleep as they would if the sun was shining. Your trip around the circuit is likely to take longer and your cart may get bogged if you don’t watch where you are driving and parking, What I can promise you is that it will be an adventure that you will never forget.

Rain usually scares away the crowd, so it can be a blessing for those of you who can barely tolerate a lot of people. The kids loved running up to each enclosure and quickly identifying the very best spot to spy the animals. There were so many moments where they called out “this one is my favourite” only to repeat the sentiment when we moved to the next enclosure. I do think the otters have imprinted on all their memories as the animal they liked to watch for the longest period of time.

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

The Animals at Dubbo Zoo

What we have always loved about Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is that the enclosures are very big in comparison to any of the city zoos that we have visited. Animals have large paddocks to roam in and they always look happy without any of the rocking and pacing signs that animal activists warn you about.

The Taronga brand as a whole is committed to conservation science and research, so I always feel at ease viewing their wild animals that are now in captivity, although I know that seeing them in the wild would be so much better.

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

For most visitors, the African animals are the draw card. The giraffes, rhinos, hippos, elephants, and lions are awe-inspiring in their beauty and uniqueness. Unfortunately, our giraffe feeding was cancelled due to the wet weather, but the kids are able to walk within metres of all of these animals.

For me, Przewalski’s Horse is my favourite to view. Could it be the Polish link? I’m unsure, but these endangered equines have always fascinated me. They even appear in cave paintings from 11,000 years ago! Amazing, right?

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo in Motion Picture

Opening Times

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is open 9.00 am – 4.00 pm every day of the year. It opens a little earlier, 8.30 am, during holiday periods. Currently, a family pass for two adults and two children is $131.40 at the gate or you can purchase online for $116.80. The pass includes two consecutive days’ admission. Children under 4 years of age are free.

 Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Accommodation Options

There are three accommodation options on site at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo: Billabong Camp Dubbo, Savannah Cabins Dubbo, and Zoofari Lodge Dubbo.

The three options are spaced across three different price points and offer a very different experience.

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Billabong Camp Dubbo

The most basic of the accommodation options at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, Billabong Camp Dubbo offers a memorable bush camping experience with the wild (and we’re told – without the hard work that camping usually brings).

The permanent camping area is situated around a billabong. Families of four will be allocated a campsite which features two tents adjacent to each other (each tent accommodates a maximum of 3 people).

The biggest highlight of the Billabong Camp experience is the exclusive guided tours and animal experiences. Guests not only meet some friendly residents at Dubbo Zoo and get up close and personal, but they are also treated to walking tours where they will meet a number of Australian and Asian animals.

Current rates (as of January 2018) start at $450.00 (2 adults and 2 children)

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Savannah Cabins

We booked the Savannah Cabins for our trip which were perfect as we were travelling with another family.

The Savannah Cabins are self-contained and overlook a natural grassland with the Zoo’s African Savannah exhibit in the distance.

Each cabin features two bedrooms and two bathrooms (one main and one ensuite) and can sleep up to six people. They are both heated and air-conditioned and have lovely amenities. Everything you need is provided – you can even order hampers of food for breakfast so you don’t need to shop beforehand.

The Savannah Cabins are located three kilometres from the Zoo’s entry and they don’t include any exclusive encounters like the Billabong Camp or Zoofari Lodge.

Current rates (as of January 2018) start at $398.00 for a family of four.

CLICK to read our full review of our sleepover at the Savannah Cabins.

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Zoofari Lodge

For the ultimate Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo experience, you *must* book a stay at the Zoofari Lodge. It is pure decadence and will almost lead you to think you’re in Africa.

The accommodation is safari-style lodges featuring African-inspired decor with a king size bed and double bath.  They also offer the best accommodation views with the lodges overlooking a paddock in which Giraffe, Zebra and Eland roam.  I can imagine myself relaxing on the deck and watching the animals now.

Current rates (as of January 2018) start at $319.00 Adult / $159.00 Child (4-15yrs)

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo Details

Address: Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830
Website: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

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Looking for more Animal experiences? Perhaps an Australian Zoo? Check out our Australian Zoos and Wildlife Parks for Kids resource

If you are in Sydney and would love an animal encounter, we have rounded them all up for you. Use our Sydney Animal Encounter resource.

Did a road trip put Dubbo on the list for you? Read all about our trip to Broken Hill via Dubbo.

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

1 thought on “Visiting Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo”

  1. We love Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo! Although every time we’ve gone, it’s been so hot that many of the animals are hiding in the shade. We did Dusit Zoo in Bangkok last year and it rained nearly all day, but like you, we used this to our advantage. The rain meant that the park was quiet and so we didn’t have to battle the crowds and it also kept us cooler in the Bangkok heat.

    Reply

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