If you are looking for a great holiday destination within NSW to head with the family, then Dubbo should be one to add to your list with a plethora of activities suitable for all ages. In fact, you’ll find it a challenge to get through all the things to do in Dubbo with kids which almost always guarantees a return trip.
A fairly easy drive over the Blue Mountains and into central NSW, we’ve headed to Dubbo over a handful of times with the kids and always found something new to add to our list. It is a super fun destination, with many accommodation spots and an array of dining options for all budgets.
Dubbo is Wiradjuri country.
The Best Things to do in Dubbo with Kids
Table of Contents
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
If you are heading to Dubbo with kids it is highly likely that Taronga Western Plains Zoo (often still known as Dubbo Zoo) is at the top of your list. It has been one of our favourite Dubbo destinations since the kids were little, providing the opportunity to see a range of amazing animals in environments that are open range.
On our last few visits, we have hired a buggy to drive around and booked an animal experience. The Taronga Western Plains Zoo never fails to delight the kids.
Click here to read about our visit to Taronga Western Plains Zoo with the kids.
We stayed at the Savannah Cabina at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Location: Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830
Hours: Taronga is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day. | 9.00 am to 4.00 pm | Open from 8.30am during NSW school holidays.
Website: Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Old Dubbo Gaol
Those of you who have followed the Kid Bucket List for a while now would be aware that we love exploring old Gaols (Maitland Gaol was one of the scariest trumping Alcatraz!), so of course Old Dubbo Gaol was a must do with the kids in Dubbo.
Old Dubbo Gaol was developed back in 1847 first as a courthouse lock up and then a fully functioning goal by 1859. It was the final destination for some prisoners who were condemned and executed on site. A visit to Old Dubbo Gaol provides some insight into the Australian penal system and some interesting discussion around what is justice and can it be corrupted.
Click across to our visit to Old Dubbo Gaol.
Location: 90 Macquarie St, Dubbo NSW 2830
Hours: Self-guided tours: available weekdays between 9.00 am – 6.00 pm | Weekends & Public Holidays 9.00 am – 4.00 pm.
Escape Talk: 3.00 pm Weekdays | 11.00 am and 3.00 pm Weekends and NSW School Holidays.
Characters in Costume: 10.00 am and 2.00pm Weekdays and NSW School Holidays
Website: Old Dubbo Gaol
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Education Centre
We were super excited to discover that the Royal Flying Doctor Services Visitor Education Centre had opened when we visited Dubbo last. We had visited on our trip to Broken Hill with kids and had enjoyed the experience, so had high expectations for the Dubbo centre.
The RFSD Visitor Education Centre in Dubbo is different to its Broken Hill counterpart, but just as good (if not better!). It provides an immersive experience where the whole family can explore a number of real life stories of medical emergencies where the Royal Flying Doctors Service was invaluable, get up close to some aircraft, watch a typical day unfold on the giant control screens, explore the treatment room with Augmented Reality, and more! We loved it and highly recommend it becomes one of your top things to do in Dubbo with kids.
Location: Airport Precinct on Judy Jakins Drive in Dubbo, NSW
Hours: Open every day except Christmas Day, New Years Day, Anzac Day and Good Friday | Monday to Friday: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm | Saturday: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm | Sunday: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm | Public holidays: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm
Website: RFDS Visitor Education Centre Dubbo
Dubbo Regional Adventure Playground
image via Dubbo Region website
Most parents know that when travelling to a new location a good playground can make or break your trip! They are the perfect place in any town to take the kids so they can unwind while the adults catch a breath. The Dubbo Regional Adventure Playground is a great space for all ages.
The Dubbo Regional Adventure Playground boasts 40 odd play elements including a flying fox, giant slide, basket swing, Liberty Swing and more! It has BBQs and toilets, and is largely accessible.
Location: Coronation Drive, Dubbo NSW 2830
Hours: Open daily 7.30am – 6.00pm except some public holidays | Free entry.
Website: Dubbo Regional Adventure Playground
Dubbo Observatory
Are your kids fascinated by the stars? Mine are very curious about what is out in space and loved the opportunity to explore the sky with someone who was able to tell them what they were seeing and accurately point out different star constellations, planets and galaxies.
The Dubbo Observatory offers nightly (weather permitting) Night Sky & Telescope Viewing. I recommend this for upper primary aged children and above as it does need to be night time, you do need to rug up, and there is some turn taking.
Location: 17L Camp Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830
Hours: Based on sun down. Head to the website for full details.
Website: Dubbo Observatory
Western Plains Riding Centre
When Sunshine became interested in horse riding, we began looking for opportunities for her to ride horses on our travel adventures. We’ve been told again and again that Western Plains Riding Centre is a great location for kids to learn to ride or head off on a ride, so it has joined our things to do in Dubbo with kids list.
If you are interested in introducing your child to an individual riding lesson or perhaps a supervised trail ride on your trip to Dubbo, Western Plains Riding Centre is your best bet.
Location: 8r Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830
Hours: 6 days per week. Check the website for bookings
Website: Western Plains Riding Centre
Western Plains Cultural Centre
Featuring a Gallery, Museum and Community Art Centre, the Western Plains Cultural Centre could be viewed as the heart of culture in the area.
The museum collection dates back to 1954 where it developed in Andy Graham’s backyard shed in Wingewarra Street. It grew and has moved a number of times before settling in the old Dubbo High School site where it now features a permanent space devoted to the story of Dubbo entitled People Places Possessions: Dubbo Stories and a temporary exhibition space for travelling and in-house curated exhibitions.
Location: 76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo
Hours: Open Daily | 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, until 6.00 pm Friday | Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Website: Western Plains Cultural Centre
Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens
The spectacular Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens features four distinctive garden spaces: Shoyoen, the Sensory Gardens, the Biodiversity Garden and the Oasis Valley. It’s also right next to the Dubbo Regional Adventure Playground – so maybe you could explore while your other half watches the kids?
Location: Coronation Dr, Dubbo
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7.00 am – 5.00 pm | Weekends: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm | Anzac Day : 12.00 pm – 5.00 pm | Closed: Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.
Website: Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens
Dundullimal Homestead
Dundullimal Homestead is said to be the oldest surviving sophisticated slab house in Australia. It is an interesting National Trust house to visit which we discovered on our first visit. Check the website to identify if they have any exhibits or weekend events happening at the homestead in addition to daily tours.
Location: 23L Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830
Hours: open Tuesdays to Fridays, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm with timed entry tickets.
Website: Dundullimal Homestead
Locations Close to Dubbo to Explore
Wellington Caves
South of Dubbo, perhaps 45 minutes or so, you will find Wellington Caves which I think is the perfect place to spot on your way to or from Dubbo if Sydney is on your itinerary. Featuring three significant cave sites to choose from for your tour, the caves are incredible.
The Cathedral Cave tour showcases an inspiring limestone and crystal formation reaching a staggering 15 metres in height which has formed over millions of years. This area also features hints of marine life from 400 million years ago.
The Phosphate Mine Tour features thousands of fossil and bone deposits of extinct creatures embedded in the walls that are at least a million years old. Entry is via a restored WW1 mine shaft.
The Gaden Cave Tour is the smallest of the three caves but features stalagmites, stalactites and unique coral-like formations. It is the cave most susceptible being closed, especially after the rain.
The kids may also enjoy a Fossil Finding Session where they can immerse themself in the world of a palaeontologist and step into a scientific lab and examine fossils from one million years ago. This is new to the Cave experience and one we hope to do next!
Click here to read about our exploration of the Wellington Caves with kids.
Location: Caves Rd, Wellington NSW 2820
Hours: Open 7 days | 9.00 am – 4:30 pm | Closed Christmas Day | prebook your tour to avoid disappointment
Website: Wellington Caves
Peak Hill Gold Mine
The historic Peak Hill Gold Mine had two distinct mining operation periods. From 1893 to 1917 it produced 60,000 ounces of gold from 500,000 tonnes of rock. It reopened in 1996 and continued to be in operation until 2002 retrieving 145,000 ounces of gold from 4.9 million tonnes of rock.
If you are driving to/from Parkes, this is an interesting stop with the kids where they can see what an open pit mine looks like, and read about the history of the site on a self-guided tour.
Location: Mingelo St, Peak Hill NSW 2869
Hours: Open 9.00 am to 4.00 pm (closed Christmas Day & Good Friday).
Website: Peak Hill Gold Mine for tours
Wellington Osawano Japanese Gardens
With over 1,500 individual plants covering 126 different species, the Wellington Osawano Japanese Gardens are spectacular and also feature a man-made mountain from which mountain water cascades down via a stream of ponds before winding its way under several bridges to a reflection pool over which sits a water pavilion. You can’t help but note the 4.5 metre stone lantern tower.
Location: Japanese Gardens, 94 Caves Rd, Apsley NSW 2820
Hours: open daily
Website: Wellington Osawano Japanese Gardens
Where to Stay in Dubbo
We have stayed in Dubbo numerous times spanning different budgets. If you have the budget, a stay at Taronga Western Plains Zoo would be at the top of the list as it is one of those once in a lifetime experiences (with a tariff to match). The Zoofari Lodge is still on our Bucket List!
On our most recent visit, we stayed at the Quest Serviced Apartments which were perfect for a family of 4 which includes a teen and tween. Self contained, we were able to make breakfast each morning and prepare lunch to take with us. Being so central, there were a number of places to eat within walking distance.
Where to Eat in Dubbo
Dubbo is a large regional centre so has an array of places to eat across all budgets including all your favourite takeaway joints. SInce heading to Dubbo with kids, we’ve returned to a small number of places again and again.
Old Bank Restaurant and Bar
We’ve headed here a number of times as there is always something on the menu for everyone in the family from poke bowls to BBQ ribs. Without fail, the meals hit the spot. Make sure you book ahead so you get a good seat. Head to the Old Bank Restaurant and Bar for menu.
Short Street Store
Almost always, the Short Street Store is our first stop when we arrive in Dubbo. Typically because T is in need of coffee and he swears they brew the best right here. A yummy menu, great drinks, yes you need to include Short Street Store on your places to eat when in Dubbo.
Black Tambourine
So if brekkie or lunch out is your thing, this little hole in the wall cafe is one to try when you are in Dubbo. Basic but delicious, add Black Tambourine to your list too.
Press
This is a great space for lunch, it is just so yummy! Sadly they only do lunch and breakfast, but the food is worth the stop and sit down – just make sure to book as the Press is a popular amongst locals.
Getting to Dubbo
If you are keen to visit Dubbo with kids you have a number of options to get here.
By Car
Sydney: Dubbo is just under five hours from Sydney via your choice of either Orange or Mudgee. It’s a fairly easy drive and is sealed the entire way.
Melbourne: At just over nine hours north of Melbourne via Shepparton, Dubbo is a little more than a day trip. You may wish to break your trip up with the stay along the way.
Brisbane: Like Melbourne, this is no day trip with travel time just over 10 hours if you head south-west via Goondiwindi.
By Plane
Both Qantas and Rex fly to Dubbo daily from Sydney.
By Train
The Dubbo XPT train runs daily from Sydney to Dubbo. Daily, NSW TrainLink also runs services to Lithgow with connecting coaches to Dubbo.
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More Places to Head in NSW
Lightning Ridge | Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool with kids | Things to do in Bathurst | Weekend Getaways from Sydney | Holidaying on Norfolk Island | Mungo National Park | Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory | Things to do in Broken Hill | Cobar with Kids | Nyngan with kids | Farm Stays near Sydney | Maitland Gaol | Wellington Caves | Cowra Japanese Gardens | Cowra POW camp | Taronga Western Plains Zoo | Bigfoot at Mount Coolangatta | Sea Cliff Bridge | Abercrombie Caves | Hill End | Scenic World Blue Mountains |