One thing our tribe loves is zoos, and Taronga Western Plains Zoo is one of our favourite zoos. Here’s what we love about it.
What’s to love about Taronga Western Plains Zoo?
The animal exhibits are large and spacious for the animals at the zoo giving them plenty of room to roam around. Because everything is lovely and spread out, you will need some wheels to get around the zoo. You can hire bikes including bikes with infant seats on the rear, or a kid trailer for towing toddlers and small kids.
You can also hire a golf cart which seats up to 6 people and is a fun way to explore the zoo. Or you can of course drive around by car. There is plenty of parking at each exhibit and you can hop out and see 3 or more different animals in one stop. There is a one way circuit around the zoo to help with the traffic flow and making navigation super easy.
Are there animal encounters at the zoo?
Of course! You can enjoy free Keeper Talks throughout the day, and if you download the free Taronga Western Plains Zoo app, you will get notifications telling you when something is happening nearby. There are other free experiences such as animal feeding as well.
If you want to spend a little extra, you can enjoy experiences like feeding the giraffes, meeting a meerkat or hopping on a Savannah Safari bus for a tour through the exhibit. Or if you want to get up close to the lions, the Pride Lands Patrol is for you. A fully enclosed bus that takes you into the heart of the Pride Lands exhibit to see the lions in their habitat.
Is there food at the zoo?
There are lots of food options (and bins) at every point. At the beginning before you enter the zoo circuit, you can grab a bite to eat at Bakhtia’s Cafe. You could also pack a picnic and take it with you to enjoy at any of the multiple picnic points around the zoo.
There is also a midway kiosk with all the favourites from pies and hot chips to sandwiches and ice creams. You will also find vending machines with drinks and chips, water refueling stations and there is also a mobile munchy cart that drives around the zoo with ice creams, food options and drinks.
Where is it?
Taronga Western Plains Zoo can be found in Dubbo, about 10 minutes from Dubbo CBD. There are plenty of Roar and Snore options to stay at the zoo so if you really want to experience all the zoo has to offer, staying at the zoo is a great way to make sure you see all of the animals.
What is the accommodation like?
If your tribe loves to camp, you can stay under the stars in a tent at Billabong Camp which is nestled not far from the Lion Pride Lands. Our tribe opted for a stay in the Savannah Cabins, a fully air conditioned cabin with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a balcony with barbeque facilities.
There is also the Zoofari Lodge which is a luxury lodge overlooking the African Savannah Exhibit with giraffes, zebras, buffalo and eland roaming around right outside your front door step. The Zoofari Lodge also has access to the Main House where there is a restaurant and bar and a salt water pool.
