Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Inland from Sydney at Dubbo and set on over 300 ha, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo will capture your heart with its incredible displays of creatures in their natural habitat areas. With a myriad of native creatures; as well as creatures from Africa, Asia, and South America; this zoo will entrance you.

A wide variety of educational programs are offered by the Taronga Western Plains Zoo to enhance the experience of visitors and to encourage conservation. One of the best programs, in my view, is the Twilight Safari. For a very reasonable fee, they offer students a unique way to learn more about the creatures of the night. After an evening BBQ, there is a guided tour of the zoo.

Visitors can explore the zoo by foot, car or bicycle on the 7km of roadways and 6km of walking trails. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the areas set up to picnic in with their amazing views. Plan to visit anytime since the zoo is open all year from 9am to 5pm.

To add to the enchantment of this wilderness zoo, the Zoofari Lodge offers the opportunity to sleep over in luxurious safari tents near the African Savannah area. You get to fall asleep listening to the sound of animal nightlife. There is a main house that offers a relaxing bar, a veranda that offers a great view, delectable meals, and a saltwater pool to enjoy an early morning swim in. Everything is included in the price you are quoted except for alcoholic drinks. To top it off, you have an amazing private area from which to view the Savannah exhibit. An absolute must for those that may never get to Africa to be able to watch an incredible sunrise on the savannah. A sleepover in a setting that has a hint of romance and a touch of adventure all wrapped up in one amazing evening.

Like the Sydney Taronga Zoo, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo has a Roar and Snore program. Camp overnight in the zoo and get a guided night “safari”. This delightful program allows you to interact with some of the friendlier animals before you are fed a wonderful outback meal. An educator will take you on a trek through the zoo so that you can catch glimpses of the nocturnal creatures. In the morning, you are treated to another walk after breakfast but this time it is behind the scenes. Through this program you get a terrific adventure while staying perfectly safe.