Morning

An early-morning departure rewards road-trippers with plenty of time for taking in the shifting landscape as you travel along the gum-tree-covered peaks and valleys of the Blue Mountains* and the lush farmland beyond. After a couple of hours on the road, you’ll notice the distinct shift to the Great Western Plains: big country skies, parched golden plains and the Macquarie River that colours its shores green.

The first goal is an Orange pitstop. Plan a quick brunch of corn fritters with bacon and beetroot relish plus fluffy pancakes with vanilla ice cream and berries for the kids at Eat Botanic. The cafe is in the centre of Orange Botanic Gardens, where the kids can run around the Orange Adventure Playground.

Orange Adventure Playground, Orange - Credit: Seth Buchanan

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Copyright: Orange City Council

Afternoon

If the children are hungry when you arrive at Dubbo, fortify yourselves at Goldies with loaded toasties on Turkish bread before going to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. One of the largest zoos in Australia, it covers more than 300 hectares and is home to over 5,000 animals like beautiful Sumatran tigers (there are only 400 left in the wild); or noisy, animated Siamang apes swinging through the trees. At this zoo, the animals live in open environments – often with only moats (rather than fences) separating them from visitors. Hire bikes from the visitor centre at the entrance or BYO wheels and set off to cycle (or scoot) the 5km loop through the zoo, past giraffes and zebras, camels and barbary sheep, Tasmanian devils and emus. The Waterhole Cafe, at the halfway point, offers coffees and treats with a view of the meerkats. In hotter months, pack swimmers so the kids can have a splash at the African-waterhole-themed play area.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Evening

You won’t have to go far to get your accommodation tonight. Billabong Camp is inside the zoo, close to the Lion Pride Lands where the nocturnal hunters will be active, vocalising and roaring overnight and at dawn. Built for families of up to three people (with bigger families given neighbouring tents), the heavy-duty glamping tents are set up on the edge of the billabong and come equipped with bedding, pillows and linen. Once the zoo has closed, you’ll get a private viewing of the lions, followed by a barbecue dinner and an evening guided tour of the native animal area. Have a bedtime snack under the stars, then slip into your sleeping bags for a night in the wild.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo - Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Morning

Between roaring lions and the birds that call the billabong home, there are no sleep-ins at camp. Grab an early continental breakfast in the Dining Shed before heading out on a guided tour to watch the animals wake. Check out is 9am, but you can stay at the zoo all day, visiting favourite animals a second time and hiring a pedalboat to cruise around Savannah Lake before going into Dubbo for lunch.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

Afternoon 

Your next stop takes you into the centre of town, starting with lunch at Press Cafe and Roastery. Order sausage and egg rolls on housemade English muffins, roast pumpkin salad with feta and spiced cashews or hearty Cajun chicken burgers before visiting the Old Dubbo Gaol. Located in the middle of town, this imposing 19th-century institution captures the brutal realities of life for the prisoners that paced its desolate cells, sandstone corridors and exercise yards. Interact with costumed actors playing the parts of prisoners and guards, join a tour to hear the stories of the jail or visit the chilling Gallows Gallery where photos of condemned men line the walls of a room featuring objects from a hangman’s kit.

Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo

If your kids are too young for the Old Dubbo Gaol, take them to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience where they can see aircraft, play air traffic controller on the interactive screens and use augmented reality to learn about the stories of the doctors, nurses and pilots that care for the health of people living in remote communities.

Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience, Dubbo

Evening

What tonight’s accommodation lacks in exotic animals, it makes up for with a swimming pool, waterpark, jumping pillow and playground. At Discovery Parks Dubbo, there are basic campsites for tents or caravans or comfortable cabins and even safari-style tents. Cook dinner on the camp barbecues or head back to the heart of Dubbo to Miia Mexiico, a Tex-Mex eatery with a huge menu. Choose from chimichangas stuffed with pulled beef, pico de gallo and cheese; burritos, tacos and quesadillas; plus huge platters of paella.

Discovery Parks Dubbo

After the sun goes down, there’s time for one more adventure. Dubbo Observatory runs guided tours most nights, starting around 90 minutes after sunset. Enjoy the astrology presentation under an inky night sky, then step up to one of the huge telescopes to see constellations, glowing nebulae and galaxies. (Note that the tours are only available for children over the age of five.)

Dubbo Observatory, Dubbo - Credit: Peter Starr

Morning

The last day of your visit is all about getting outside and exploring Dubbo’s unique landscape. At Lake Burrendong, one of the largest inland dams in Australia, you can bring your gear and go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing.

Fishing, Lake Burrendong

You can also kayak or throw a line into Macquarie River, which runs through the centre of Dubbo. The best swimming access point is at Sandy Beach, but the river is only recommended for strong swimmers. There are also cycling trails running along the length of the river. If the weather is bad, there are some fun indoor activities on offer as well – try iPlay Dubbo for bowling and arcade games. 

Macquarie River, Dubbo

Afternoon

After an active morning, a lazy picnic in the pretty Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden is a nice way to spend the afternoon. There are four themed gardens to wander through – with tranquil ponds and thousands of plants, too. Kids being kids will still have plenty of energy – luckily, the Dubbo Regional Adventure Playground is just next door. 

As the sun sets, settle onto the sofa at Devil’s Hollow Brewery. The floor-to-ceiling windows look over the area’s rooftops and big skies. The fiery sunset is a lovely backdrop for a pint of IPA or dark ale; 12-hour, slow-cooked beef brisket with mash; and a kids’ menu of reliable favourites.

Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden, Dubbo

*Please note: The Great Western Highway is closed between Mount Victoria and Little Hartley. Traffic between Mount Victoria and Lithgow is detoured to Darling Causeway and Chifley Road. Visit the travel alerts page for more information.