Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Just do this and enjoy the moments.

You need more than a few hours. It’s around 5kms long but you need to stop often and read the QR code information about each amazing animal.

You’ll be amazed at the array of animal the park has and seeing them in a relaxed natural environment.

Staff are fun and informative.

You can bike, cart, tour and self-drive yourself around each point.

A few toilet spots throughout and a cafe also.

Absolutely worth visiting the whole day!

What a wonderful experience we had at the Toronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.

We hired a golf cart to get around which was great. Unfortunately I booked the AM session twice by accident and the incorrect booking was not refundable. Next time we would use our own vehicle to travel around the park (which you can do) but at least we had fun in the cart and can tick it off our bucket list. Along with feeding the giraffes 🦒. This experience is definitely worth the extra fee.

Keeper talks are informative and you can tell from the enthusiasm in their voice that they love their job and the animals they care for.

Whilst there are 2 places to eat and vending machines at picnic spot, I definitely recommend bringing your own food, snacks and cold drinks.

Our teenage children loved the experience and close they could get to most of the animals.

We will be talking about the memories we made today for a long time to come.

We had the most amazing time at Dubbo zoo today. There are many different ways of getting around the zoo you can drive your car, hire a cart or bike but we chose to walk around. The enclosures were spaced apart well and noticed the animals were well looked after. The animals were all amazing and I cant wait to come back again sometime soon!

It's such an amazing zoo.
We spent the day driving around the zoo with our own car. The animals have so much room that you can see how happy and healthy they are. We did the hippo experience with zoo keeper Glyn he was amazing it was one of the best animal experiences ever learned so much about these beautiful animals and got to feed them up close, we also did the safari tour with Kate she was amazing. The whole day here, and it was filled with unforgettable memories. We highly recommend this zoo.

Such a lovely zoo, you can hire bikes, safari cart (seats 6) or drive round the zoo. We hired the bikes, with a baby seat. It's a work out but worth it. You don't have to park and keep hoping out and in.

Only downside was that we needed to get back by half 3 to get the bikes back but the park doesn't close until 4, we found that we had to rush round the end of the park.

What was really cool at the time was the hospital was showing a lion on the table that was getting a check over. Super awesome.

This Is a must see if you are in the area

A great place to spend at least half a day, for everyone, singles and families.

My day stated at the zoo at 8.30am and I was visiting the wildlife by 9am.
My plan was to drive the 6km circuit and get to the enclosures before the human wildlife and before the animals wandered away from the front.
This proved successful and I found myself alone enjoying the wildlife by myself.
Once my drive of the circuit was complete I hired a geared push bike, even thought it was 39C, and then completed my visit and and could ride my bike up close to the viewing platforms.
The hire people were very helpful and made sure I got the bike that was most suitable and comfortable for me.
You really don't forget, and I'm ancient.

So, on my bike and onto my exploration and wildlife adventure.
The wildlife were completely cooperative and stayed in viewing range where I was able to get fantastic photos.
I stopped halfway for a refreshment where there was a cafe, a paddling pool and lots of tables and shade.
I found myself revisiting most of the wildlife multiple times for photos from different angles.
I really enjoyed my visit.

Finally returning my bike to the hire shed, I went to the main Cafe and had a delicious fruit salad.
On the way out I visited the zoo shop and bought some excellent gifts and keepsakes.

There are plenty of picnic spots all along the circuit with complete facilities.
I whole heartly recommend the Taronga Wildlife Park Dubbo for a day out.

We spent the whole day there. Highly recommend the Early Morning Walk. We were guided around by a volunteer and got to see the animals in a completely different setting. Such an amazing experience.
Breakfast at the cafe was reasonably priced and delicious.
We then spent the rest of the day driving slowly around the zoo and partaking in some of the zookeeper's presentations.
We even took a packed lunch and ate sitting at the elephant enclosure
This is a great experience for everyone of all ages

Great zoo, friendly staff, and way to see all the exhibits. Recommend the bike hire. The bikes are well maintained, have disc breaks, and no need for gears as the paths and roads are flat. Only criticism is the signage can send you round in circles and or back to the start.

OMG, we did the Zoofari Dubbo zoo accommodation experience. It was absolutely 💯 % amazing, awesome experience. Within the package was bike hire which we opted for the first day & not the 2nd day.
The lodge staff & tour guides at Zoofari were exceptional. Jacob our tour guide was fantastic, sharing his knowledge & passion with us was great. Tours with behind the scenes & after hours were memories made forever. Giraffe feeding at zoofari then the zoo safari feedings were very unique & special for guests only.
Then watching the keepers wash an elephant, how happy I was to vet to witness that👏👌
Food & service was 10/10, nothing was a bother, staff friendly & caring.
Our accommodation, looking out to the animals was a dream come true. It was spacious, beautiful, privacy plus AND views spectacular.
Have raved to everyone I can to have this experience too. And it all goes back into keeping the animals upkeep.
Thankyou, I'm truly grateful, blessed
& appreciate my Zoofari experience.
The extra zoofari

It has a huge area and lots and lot of species, they do allow you to drive your car inside. I loved it. Plenty of unique animals on display. Entry ticket is not very expensive too.

This extremely large zoo is worth the visit to Dubbo. Even tho this is my 3 or 4th visit over the years, it is my first in at least 10 yrs. There has been so many big upgrades and I highly recommend you book some of the extras in advance to get the most amazing trip ever ! We did the giraffe feeding and open plains bus ride. Loved loved loved it. Don’t forget the basics of choosing to walk, ride your own bike/or hire one, hire a golf cart or simply drive around in your own vechicle. The kids water zone is so refreshing on hot days and all the keeper talks are very entertaining and knowledgeable. Don’t forget your ticket gives you entry 2 days in a row! So start planning what to do first and bring as much food and water as you can carry. Next time we come back we shall be using the over night sleeping options. I carnt wait to see the upgrades e finished they were working on in the sept 2023 school holidays. .. absolutely worth a visit!

Had a wonderful time at Taronga Western Plains Zoofari Lodge. Did the morning and night tour with Kate, who was caring, knowledgeable, and fun. Real gift for presenting the stories of the animals and giving a real insight into conservation and what a zoo does. we appreciated all the staff who are attentive and helpful. Thanks
Isabel, Christine, Archie, Tanya, Debbie, Joe and others. Definitely a great way to see and experience the zoo.

Great zoo to visit.
Lots of amazing animals from AFRICA and Australia. You can walk , hire a 6 seater golf buggy, push bike or self drive your own car to each of the large enclosures.
Plenty of rest areas and picnic spots so you can make a whole day of it or just 3- 4 hrs .
The savannah Plains tour was great and you can stay overnight in a cabin overlooking the Plains.
Wake to watching the animals roaming around together.
Awsome experience.
Next time I would either walk or do the self drive.
Note - They even have a caravan parking area if you want to unhitch and drive your own car.

This zoo is amazing! Had lots of fun and saw lots of animals. You can up close with the wallabies and book to feed the hippos! This was a really great experience and would recommend for people with children.

We had a beautiful family holiday at the end of school holidays. We stayed in Savannah Cabins a night before which was a perfect decision. We encountered few lovely animals there. Kids were supper happy. We visited zoo next day and everyone enjoyed the trip. I definitely recommend a trip to Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

We stayed overnight at the zoo and it was amazing. We could see giraffes, rhinos, zebras and an ostrich, from our accomodation they were so close we could have stayed for days just watching them.
The staff at the lodge were amazing so friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. The food was awesome we got to try things we haven’t never tried like crocodile. Kate was our tour guide and she took us around the zoo she was so approachable friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend this stay to everyone it was such an incredible experience we just loved it. Thankyou to everyone at the zoo that made our stay so lovely.

My partner and I stayed in one of the Zoofari Lodges and had a blast. We’re on a road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane and it’s been a dream to go to Taronga Open Range Zoo in Dubbo.

We arrived early Monday morning and hired a buggy to see the zoo, then we checked in at the accommodation that afternoon. It was really hot, but arriving early is best to get to see the animals before they get too snoozy and try to avoid the heat by hiding in the shade.

I’ll share some of our photos, it’s truly a privilege to be able to see so many awe inspiring animals wandering just metres away.

We missed the night tour because we were tired, but we did the morning tour and that was magic.

The Zoofari experience is wonderful, a few of the staff were doing double duty by taking a tour then making cocktails and serving meals when we returned.
We’ll come back again, but next time we’ll stay 2 nights.

A fantastic zoo full of incredible open plan exhibits, super friendly staff and a great atmosphere!
We went during the school holidays and on not a very hot day, which made it a lot easier to navigate by foot.
Would recommend driving or renting one of the electric buggys if you're not up for a large walk.

Amazing wildlife experience, you can walk, ride a bike, hire an electric buggy or drive your vehicle around the 5km of roads and tracks. The ticket is valid for two days. Well worth it when in Dubbo. Excellent facilities all around the zoo, with two large cafes and a kids waterpark. Allow plenty of time to attend the feedings and guide talks throughout the day.

Bloody awesome zoo! Definitely worth doing it over 2 days, also it's far easier to just walk it rather than drive, there's little pathways that get you around the zoo driving just drags it out and sucks the fun out of it.