Taronga Western Plains Zoo

512 mentions

Open-range savannahs let visitors cycle or cart past giraffes, rhinos and lions in spacious habitats. Behind-the-scenes encounters, overnight Zoofari lodges and school holiday programs draw 750,000 tourists a year—fuel for Dubbo’s cafes, motels and thriving Airbnb scene.

2

Dubbo CBD

447 mentions

A mix of heritage pubs, trendy laneway bars and national retailers lines Macquarie Street. Free parking, business-hub coworking spaces and regular night markets keep foot traffic lively, giving residents metropolitan convenience without losing that country-town friendliness.

3

Orana Mall Shopping Centre

321 mentions

The region’s largest mall features major supermarkets, fashion chains, a cinema and medical suites. Its air-conditioned comfort, kids’ play zone and 1,200 free bays make weekly groceries or retail therapy a one-stop outing for families across the central west.

4

Dubbo Base Hospital

298 mentions

A $150-million redevelopment delivered new emergency, intensive-care and cancer centres, lifting Dubbo to major-trauma status. The upgrade secures specialist jobs, shortens wait times and reassures tree-changers that big-city healthcare is only minutes from home.

5

Dubbo Regional Airport

256 mentions

Daily jets to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne-Essendon and Newcastle trim travel times for FIFO workers and weekend escapes. Recent runway extensions welcome larger aircraft, strengthening Dubbo’s role as a freight and passenger hub for western NSW.

6

Old Dubbo Gaol

233 mentions

Night tours, hologram inmates and gallows re-create colonial justice inside restored sandstone cells. School excursions and festival events fill the courtyard, weaving living history into the CBD’s dining and retail precinct only a block away.

7

Macquarie River Foreshore

212 mentions

Shared paths, kayak launches and shaded barbecue lawns trace the river’s gentle bends. Weekend markets, rowing regattas and dusk platypus spotting make waterfront living a daily delight for residents in Southlakes and the North Dubbo renewal precinct.

8

Charles Sturt University (Dubbo)

189 mentions

Specialising in nursing, social work and Indigenous health, CSU’s campus injects youthful energy and steady rental demand. Clinical labs, an on-site library and research centres anchor a growing education precinct beside TAFE and planned student housing.

9

Western Plains Cultural Centre

173 mentions

Home to the regional art gallery, museum and café, this light-filled space hosts touring exhibitions, live music and artisan markets. Creative workshops and after-dark festivals add cultural depth that surprises first-time visitors expecting only zoo adventures.

10

Dubbo Train Station

164 mentions

Terminus for the daily XPT to Sydney and weekly Outback Explorer to Broken Hill, the heritage station provides stress-free links for students, seniors and city shoppers. Planned Tamworth extension studies could make rail commuting even handier.

11

Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre

149 mentions

Olympic, leisure and hydrotherapy pools sit beside towering water slides and a modern gym. Learn-to-swim classes, squad programs and summer movie nights create a year-round health hub five minutes from the main street.

12

Dubbo Showground & Events Arena

137 mentions

From the century-old Royal Dubbo Show to food-truck festivals, ute musters and caravan rallies, this versatile venue fills motel rooms and short-stay rentals. New undercover pavilions and powered camping sites future-proof its status as western NSW’s event powerhouse.

13

Dubbo Golf Club

121 mentions

Eucalypt-lined fairways hide kangaroos, while a 27-hole championship layout challenges all handicaps. Friday raffles, wedding receptions and twilight social comps keep the clubhouse bustling, offering newcomers an easy path into Dubbo’s friendly community networks.

14

Dundullimal Homestead

108 mentions

Dating to 1842, Australia’s oldest slab-house homestead showcases convict-era craft, shearing sheds and rammed-earth stables. Monthly open days, concerts and artisan markets spotlight local produce, blending rural history with modern paddock-to-plate culture.

15

Tracker Riley Cycleway

102 mentions

This 13-kilometre sealed loop follows the Macquarie River from zoo to CBD, ideal for morning jogs or safe kid rides. Fitness stations, public art and flood-lit sections encourage active lifestyles and boost property appeal near its trailheads.

16

TAFE NSW Dubbo

97 mentions

Automotive workshops, hair-and-beauty salons and a new cyber-security lab deliver hands-on skills for school-leavers and career changers. Industry partnerships feed directly into mining, health and agribusiness jobs, strengthening Dubbo’s diversified economy.

17

Victoria Park & Playground

88 mentions

Centrally located, Victoria Park’s towering elms shade barbecue gazebos, duck ponds and a colourful all-abilities playground. Saturday parkrun, twilight food vans and Christmas carols foster community spirit just metres from courthouse lawns and boutique hotels.

18

Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden

83 mentions

Five themed spaces include a tranquil Japanese stroll garden, arid house and brand-new children’s storybook garden. Free entry, seasonal plant sales and yoga in the rainforest dome make this pocket of green a beloved local retreat.

19

Adventure Playground (Elston Park)

76 mentions

Giant slides, splash pads and flying foxes turn family outings into day-long adventures. Adjacent coffee carts and shaded picnic tables keep parents happy, while night lighting extends playtime on balmy central-west evenings.

20

Dubbo Observatory

69 mentions

Clear country skies reveal Saturn’s rings, nebulae and sweeping Milky Way views through high-powered telescopes. Evening tours, astrophotography workshops and school holiday sessions foster starry-eyed wonder less than ten minutes from suburban front doors.

Area Hotlist — Dubbo NSW