Hello!

We are planning our next big excursion with the children, and want to know if Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is good? Would it keep pre-teens & teens intrigued? Does the Zoo also offer learning support materials that you know of for schools/home educators? Have you been before and would you go again? Thank you in advance.


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  • I didn’t post this question but enjoyed reading the responses. Good to know these tips.


  • We would love to go to the Western Plains Zoo some time in the near future.


  • YES , it is a located on very large grounds but we hired a small car for a few days . What I found with the zoo was we didn’t seem to see too many animals as it was scattered in a very large area. I like the ” country ” type environment , but once is enough to see the area and was a good experience .


  • I went as a kid and it was great I would definitely go again. I believe you can hire bikes and ride around. Maybe check out their website for your othet questions about learning support


  • We went last year and stayed in the overnight option glamping tents. It wasn’t cheap but the best experience we had fabulous food for the meal at night as well as next. Leningrad and got us close with the animals during night tour. We have been to the day session earlier as well and would highly recommend it.


  • I had high expectations as had heard it was wonderful but personally thought it didn’t live up to my expectations. Yes, the open plains with animals and lack of visible fencing was great but really thought it would be better.


  • I really enjoyed it! hubby and I went there for a whole day but I think to see it all you probably need 1 1/2 to 2 days. The white rhinos were cute but take a peg for your nose! lol!! Seriously though it was a great day out . We walked a lot and had plenty of exercise as well!


  • I’ve been and love it. We all liked it more than Taronga Zoo…..the animals are in larger enclosures so you may not get as close, but it seems a lot kinder. We biked around so got lots of exercise too. I’m not sure about learning support material, but I’m sure you could give them a buzz and ask. We will definitely go back to this zoo


  • EMMA-JADE is there a reason why you would not go again? Did you like the zoo? Interested to know too as we would also like to go and have been reading the interesting answers. Thanks. :)


  • yes we have and honstly i wouldnt go again


  • No; we have not been to this zoo; but it is on the must go and see list.


  • Yes it was great adventure and you can book to feed giraffes etc., also a buggy service if kids are small. Well worth the visit. Also go to Dubbo jail, you can take your photo in stocks and very interesting to see. Have a great-time we did


  • I went about 5 years ago and besides driving through there were people on bikes. That might be fun!


  • i would love to take the kids there one day


  • We went a few years ago & I would love to go back & take the grandkids. There has been a few updates since so I’m keen to do it again. Google it & Like the page & you’ll find out their news & updates.


  • A great place for kids of all ages!! make sure you take your bikes or ride theirs. We spent all day there we took a picnic set ourselves up and the kids went off in different directions. (Well the older ones did.) You can even stay there overnight if you book. Billabong Camp site & Zoofari Lodge is perfect for older kids. Get in touch with the Zoo and ask about their education Centre and see what they might have on or could arrange just for you and your family as home schooled children. I’m sure they would be happy to accommodate you and your special interest. I would also like to recommend a visit at some stage to Australia Zoo in Queensland. In my opinion World Class! The best tourist attraction we have in Australia by far. I could spend a week there and never be board! Clean and well set out. Plenty of seats and benches under cover just to sit and watch the animals. They have keepers roaming around with animals on leash’s you can get close to and have a talk to the keeper and have photo with. I just love this place. They do care about animals here!


  • It is a magnificent huge zoo. Natural surroundings for the animals etc. I’m not sure about teenagers – it depends what their interests are and how much they are used to just doing what they want to do. Most of it is “Open Range” The animals are in like reasonable size areas, anything from the equivalent of a large block of land or small paddock. Not all animals necessarily stay close to the roads. If you enjoy it you could stay all day there.
    My Mum and I went there on an organised group coach tour and our time was limited. We spent a good two hours there, part of it we were driven around, part of it we walked and we didn’t see it all. From memory there is also large areas of huge aviaries with high shields with native birds in them. The top is as much to keep predators out as stopping birds from escaping. I think some of them had actually been rescued from natural habitiat and have recovered but no enougt to be released back into the wild. I think you can walk through sections but it is built in such a way that you can’t accidentally let them out. There is a lot native vegetation in there and they have tons of room to fly around. I suggest you write to the zoo and enquire whether or not they have the educational materials you would like. I would go back if I had the opportunity.


  • Hi! We went there on Christmas Day in 2011. It was a great place. You can walk around, drive or I think you could rent bicycles or electric carts. The place is huge, very well maintained. We stayed at the Big4 holiday site, really close by. I would surely go again.


  • I have been there. It is a great zoo. You can hire bikes and ride around or you can drive your car around as well. We rode bikes but then got tired and drove around the rest. They have educational talks on some of the animals. There are also plenty of Infromative signs at the site. It is definately worth visiting.


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