Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National ParkCredit: Destination NSW
The night sky filled with bright stars over the dark sky park in the Warrumbungles.
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Dubbo, a five-hour drive west of Sydney, and the surrounding Great Western Plains region offers up plenty of adventure to keep the whole family happy. Here you’ll find world-famous caves and outback star gazing, fascinating historical towns and thrilling wildlife encounters.
Uncover Dubbo’s fascinating history
In the heart of the Great Western Plains, the historic town of Dubbo has a rich colonial and criminal history. Tour the Old Dubbo Gaol to experience what life was like for the prisoners in the 19th century through its animatronic and holographic displays. The heritage buildings contain an intriguing collection of artifacts and offers a bird’s-eye view from the watchtower. Go on a Night Tour or brave Beyond the Grave, an adults-only tour (ages 16 plus) where you might commune with the spiritual world.
Delve deeper into Dubbo’s incredible history at the state-of-the-art Western Plains Cultural Centre, home to the city’s art gallery and museum. Admire a range of frequently changing exhibitions, or sign the kids up for a school holiday workshop such as sculpture or printmaking.
Get up close with wildlife
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is widely recognised as Australia’s greatest open-range zoo and is home to more than 1,500 animals from around the world. Lions, black rhinoceros, Sumatran tigers, elephants and giraffe roam 300 hectares of wide open space. The best way to explore the 6km circuit around the plains is by bike or cart, and every day there are keeper talks, animal shows and close encounters to choose from, including big cat, meerkat and giraffe experiences.
You can also get up close to Australia’s largest flightless bird at Emu Logic Farm, near Warrumbungle National Park, north of Dubbo. Take a tour and meet some of the 900 emus that live on the farm, then pick up some emu oil, soap, wax or emu eggs to take home. Visit from mid-July to see newly hatched chicks chasing after their parents.
Go on a cave tour
The Wellington Caves are about 8km south of the nearby town of Wellington. Here you can take fascinating cave tours where you’ll observe stalagmites, stalactites, columns, flowstones and coral. There are three main caves to see: Cathedral Cave, Gaden Cave and the Fossil and Phosphate Mine. On the grounds opposite the caves is the stunning Japanese Osawano Gardens, with its manicured gardens, stream and lake. You can stay overnight at Wellington Caves, with camp and caravan sites, park cabins and units available.
Dubbo Highlights
Dubbo is full of adventures for the whole family to enjoy.
Dubbo Highlights
Dubbo is full of adventures for the whole family to enjoy.
Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of the Old Dubbo Gaol grounds.
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Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of the Old Dubbo Gaol grounds.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a giraffe encounter at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
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Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a giraffe encounter at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
Hop on your bike
As the name suggests, the Great Western Plains are mostly flat, which makes the region perfect for exploring on two wheels. Cycling trails run through the centre of Dubbo, along the Tracker Riley Cycleway out to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, beside the Macquarie River or through rolling farmland on the 65km Rawsonville to Minore Loop.
For those who prefer transport of the motorised variety, Trike Adventures in Dubbo offer unique and fun motorcycling tours. You can choose from a range of tours including a 30-minute Dubbo highlights tour, a High Tea Experience or an Outback Pub Adventure.
Sample delicious local produce
Pick up some fresh local produce at the Dubbo Farmers Market, held on the first and third Saturday of every month. There’s great coffee and plenty of breakfast options to tide you over while browsing stalls of fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, olive oil, jam, honey, nuts, wine and more. While in Dubbo, be sure to enjoy an award-winning pie from the Village Bakehouse. Run by fourth-generation bakers, specialities include chunky Angus steak, chilli beef and chicken-and-mushroom pies.
Cool off in and on the water
The vast Lake Burrendong, near the town of Wellington, is the Great Western Plains’ aquatic playground. It’s a popular spot for fishing, boating, water skiing canoeing and swimming. There are camping areas close to the shore or two holiday parks offering cabins and other amenities.
In Dubbo, Adventure Craft Hire provides kayaks and paddle boards to get out on the Macquarie River. Choose from single-seat or double-seat kayaks with paddles, life jackets and dry bags included. The Macquarie River is fairly easy paddling and there are many reserves along the trail where you can stop for a well-earned lunch break.
See the skies
The southern hemisphere’s first and only Dark Sky Park is in the Warrumbungle region of country NSW. Dark Sky Parks are recognised internationally for their outstanding nocturnal environment and clear, dark skies. Camp under the stars in Warrumbungle National Park at various camping grounds and heritage huts to take in incredible views of the galaxy. Alternatively, the Warrumbungle Observatory and the Dubbo Observatory, both offer nightly viewing sessions.
For a different perspective of the skies, take an adventure flight in a historic, preserved ex-military aircraft. Warrior Warbird Adventure Flights, operating out of Dubbo, gives people the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight, taking in spectacular views and the excitement of G-forces of up to four times gravity at the bottom of a loop, to momentary weightlessness at the top of a stall turn.
Dubbo Farmers Markets, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
A farmer and his working dog at the Dubbo Farmers Market.
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Dubbo Farmers Markets, Dubbo Credit: Destination NSW
A farmer and his working dog at the Dubbo Farmers Market.
Water Skiing, Lake Burrendong Credit: Destination NSW
Woman water skiing across Lake Burrendong, Mumbil.
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Water Skiing, Lake Burrendong Credit: Destination NSW
Woman water skiing across Lake Burrendong, Mumbil.
Siding Springs Observatory, Coonabarabran Credit: Filippo Rivetti
Sun setting over the Warrumbungle National Park, Warrubungle and the Siding Springs Observatory in Siding Springs.
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Siding Springs Observatory, Coonabarabran Credit: Filippo Rivetti
Sun setting over the Warrumbungle National Park, Warrubungle and the Siding Springs Observatory in Siding Springs.
More Inspirational Stories
Eden Farm Escape, BilpinCredit: Deborah Goodman
Guests of Eden Farm Escape at Bilpin soak up the countryside views.
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Escape to the countryside with your family on a New South Wales farm stay, where even big kids might learn something new. Breathe in the fresh country air as you embrace the opportunity to connect with your family, and perhaps a few friendly farm animals, too. Here are seven great family farm stays to inspire your next holiday.
Snuggle up with your family at Kelly’s Cottage, Guyra
Take in the heady sights and sounds of a working cattle station during a stay at Kelly’s Cottage, outside the town of Guyra, near Armidale in the New England High Country. Imagine a pioneering past as your family settles in to the charming three-bedroom weatherboard cottage looking out over lush paddocks at Bald Blair, a 1,300-hectare working Angus stud farm. Marvel at the size of the prized cattle and encounter merino sheep, horses and energetic working dogs as you tour the family-run farm. Then fire up the self-catering cottage’s woodheater for cosy nights around the dining table during the high-country winter, or watch the sun set from your seats on the long verandah as the kids play on the lawn in the warmer months.
Get back in the saddle at Eden Farm Escape, Bilpin
Share your love of horses with your family at Eden Farm Escape, part of the Eden Equine estate in Bilpin, a 90-minute drive northwest of Sydney in the Hawkesbury region. The estate is a working horse farm; its 36 lush green hectares are home to 12 horses and ponies, along with alpacas, donkeys, goats and a flock of chickens that resides in Cluckingham Palace. Make new memories with your children while collecting eggs and feeding the animals, or trotting along together on a horse ride. Cool off in the property’s dam, then warm up again by the fire pit and barbecue area. Admire equine-themed art in the property’s five tastefully appointed self-contained cabins, which come with comfy oversized couches.
North of Eden Gin, Stoney Creek Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a picnic with food and drinks at North of Eden Gin, Stoney Creek, Sapphire Coast
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North of Eden Gin, Stoney Creek Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a picnic with food and drinks at North of Eden Gin, Stoney Creek, Sapphire Coast
Sunrise, Guyra Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over the New England Highway in Guyra.
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Sunrise, Guyra Credit: Destination NSW
Sun rises over the New England Highway in Guyra.
Meet the menagerie at Ba Mack Farmstay, Windeyer
Soak up the genuine country hospitality doled out by mother-and-daughter team Julie and Kate McLeod at Ba Mack Farmstay, near Mudgee, about four hours northwest of Sydney. Julie believes children need to interact with animals, and here you’ll discover she’s provided the perfect spot for them to do it. Watch your kids’ faces light up as they feed a menagerie of lambs, pigs, chickens and other animals on your stay in the property’s charming two-bedroom cottage or converted train carriage, which also has two bedrooms. And feel a surge of pride as your offspring learn farm skills such as how to handle, groom and ride horses.
Lap up the country-luxe at Linnaeus Farm, Berry
Prepare to be wowed by the immaculate formal gardens, soaring ceilings and rolling countryside views when you check into Linnaeus Farm, a majestic five-bedroom, self-catering property just outside Berry in the Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast. Revel in the simple pleasures of picking produce from the terraced organic edible gardens with your kids (if you can entice them out of the fabulous treehouse cubby), splashing around in the pool, or challenging your family to a game of pétanque. Cook up a family feast in the property’s two kitchens or barbecue area, or treat your brood to tasty meals at the excellent restaurants of Berry, just a five-minute drive away.
Milk a cow at Dairy Flat Farm Holidays, Dairy Flat
Soak up the history of this idyllic farm on the Richmond River at Dairy Flat, near Kyogle in northern NSW, which has been home to six generations of the Lever family. Then set about making some family memories of your own: Dairy Flat Farm Holidays has three country-style cottages, which sleep a total of 16, and an expansive five-bedroom homestead with room for a family group of 11. Enjoy hands-on fun with your kids feeding the chickens, goats and lambs in the farmyard area, learning how to milk a cow and bucket-feeding the calves afterwards. Let the kids loose on the tennis court and saltwater pool, before exploring the lush trails of the Border Ranges National Park right on your doorstep.
Linnaeus Farm Credit: Linnaeus Farm
Luxury holiday home, Linnaeus Farm, located just outside of Berry village sleeps 10-14 guests.
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Linnaeus Farm Credit: Linnaeus Farm
Luxury holiday home, Linnaeus Farm, located just outside of Berry village sleeps 10-14 guests.
Ba Mack Farmstay, Windeyer Credit: Ba Mack Farmstay
Enjoy the farm life at Ba Mack Farmstay, just 30 minutes from Mudgee..
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Ba Mack Farmstay, Windeyer Credit: Ba Mack Farmstay
Enjoy the farm life at Ba Mack Farmstay, just 30 minutes from Mudgee..
Experience outback life at Corynnia Station, Carrathool
Tap into your family’s sense of adventure at Corynnia Station, a 6,800-hectare working sheep farm also offering an authentic outback farm-stay experience. An hour’s drive west of Griffith in the Riverina region, or a seven-hour drive west of Sydney, Corynnia Station’s options range from a one-bedroom 1930s cottage to a country lodge that sleeps 12. Step back into the station’s history on the farm tour, which visits the 19th-century shearing shed. Then feel your heart beat faster on a bicycle ride around the property, or during an invigorating family match of tennis. Or slow your pace to school your kids in the art of boules. Then finish the day star-gazing with your family around a crackling campfire.
Roam the garden at Markdale, Crooked Corner
Be charmed by the classic country elegance of Markdale, a 2,550-hectare retreat in the Southern Tablelands hamlet of Crooked Corner, a three-hour drive west of Sydney. Encourage your kids to explore with all their senses the gorgeous garden created by esteemed landscape designer Edna Walling. Then enjoy more quality family time mingling with the farm animals and donkeys and spotting local wildlife such as wombats. Kids can also have fun practising their polo swings on the wooden horse. Choose from the two-bedroom stone cottage (with log fire), the four-bedroom 1850s homestead or the beautifully restored six-bedroom shearers’ quarters, all equally lovely options for a family stay.
Markdale Farmstay, Crooked Corner Credit: Destination NSW
Markdale Farmstay, Crooked Corner
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Markdale Farmstay, Crooked Corner Credit: Destination NSW
Markdale Farmstay, Crooked Corner
Corynnia Station, Carrathool Credit: Corynnia Station
The Corynnia Station farm stay, outside of Griffith in the Riverina region.
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Corynnia Station, Carrathool Credit: Corynnia Station
The Corynnia Station farm stay, outside of Griffith in the Riverina region.