Known for being the largest population centre in the Orana Region, here in Dubbo, you can engage with diverse cuisines, astronomical experiences, and heaps of history.
Dining Experiences in Dubbo
Start your day like a local at Church St. Cafe & Bar with their spread of fresh, seasonal produce available all day long, including tasty cappuccinos, chai lattes, corn fritters, and avocado toast. One of the most popular dishes, however, is the pan-seared scallops with black pudding, green pea purée and crispy prosciutto.
For an authentic culinary experience, head over to Okami Japanese Restaurant, right here in Dubbo, its a family-friendly eatery offering a fresh and locally sourced menu, and an all-you-can-eat banquet.
Located within Dubbo’s RSL Club, One 7 Eight Dining & Cocktail Bar is an award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar with a reputation for excellent food and service. Treat your palate to an impressive array of appetizers, entrées, and desserts, including Bruschetta, Pork Fillet, and Mango Cheesecake with kaffir lime pearls, coconut, and caramelized pineapple.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Village Bakehouse, your one-stop shop for all things homemade pastries and fresh bread. They’ve got you covered, offering everything from hot pies in an array of flavours to Arabica based coffee. Around lunchtime, the toasted seeded sourdough topped with avocado, house tomato salsa, marinated feta and salad greens is a must.
Educational Excursions in Dubbo
Historical enthusiasts will delight in the Old Dubbo Gaol, an old courthouse lock-up dating back to 1847, which grew to house more prisoners as the populations in surrounding towns increased.
Today, it encourages visitors to discover daring escapes and fascinating prisoner stories through an entertaining mix of theatrical performances and immersive displays. Fans who love a good mystery should sign up for a night tour, where visitors are guided through cells by torchlight to uncover the grizzly truth of prison life, including tales of death and punishment.
Reflecting the ever-shifting cultural arts scene, the Western Plains Cultural Centre hosts local and national artists all year round, collecting works for almost 60 years. The constant rotation of exhibitions and displays shines a spotlight on the power of art, history, and performance.
For an intellectually stimulating experience, The Dubbo Observatory is a must-visit any day of the week, as astronomy and night sky viewing sessions are run every day. Each show includes an astronomy presentation, where an expert guide discusses the incredible galaxy above our heads, and the chance to take an astrophoto through the telescope when you bring your own camera.
The whole family will delight in all of the fun that the Taronga Western Plains Zoo has to offer. Open 365 days of the year, including public holidays, the zoo boasts hands-on opportunities to get up close with four leggy giraffe calves, meerkats, and gentle elephants. Additionally, you can rent a paddleboat and explore the zoo along the glistening Savannah lake.
For an elevated experience, sign up for a tour such as an Early Morning Walk with a Zoo volunteer, hop on the safari truck and venture amongst African species on the Savannah Safari, or drive through lion territory on board Lion Pride Lands Patrol. You can even see their vets heal the wild in action as you go behind-the-scenes at the Wildlife Hospital.
Find adventure and wonder at the Wellington Caves here in Dubbo, where you have the chance to tour three significant cave sights. Home of the first megafauna discovery in Australia, you can journey though an evolutionary and geological timeline dating back 400 million years and see the remains of an ancient coral reef.
Once you see the light at the end of the tunnel, grab a magnifying glass and examine fossils from a million years ago in the discovery lab or have a bite to eat at the Visitor Experience Centre.
Flora and Fauna in Dubbo
If you’re in need of a serene stroll through the natural landscape of Dubbo, wander through more than 164 hectares of native botanicals, towering trees, and vibrant blooms at the Burrendong Botanic Gardens and Arboretum.
Here, you’ll encounter the Fern Gull, a man-made rainforest found beneath a thatched canopy, with countless birds and critters all around. The team is dedicated to conserving the flora and fauna, as the gardens are home to one of the largest collections of Australian plants in cultivation.
Loving these things to do here in Dubbo? Check out one of our other stories here.
