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
Roar and Snore, Taronga Zoo Sydney Credit: Taronga Zoo
Roar and Snore tents at Taronga Zoo Sydney overlooking Sydney Harbour.
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Gain a new perspective on Sydney as you observe through the eyes of children the best this magnificent city has to offer – be sure to stay on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to be close to world-class attractions for all ages.
Make Sydney your playground
Bond as a family with the exhilarating experience of climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge at twilight with BridgeClimb Sydney. Kids aged eight years and up (and at least 1.2m tall) can join in the fun and take in the 360-degree views of this iconic Sydney landmark.
Take in the sights from two wheels as you pedal past the city’s parks, harbour and iconic sites with Bonza Bike Tours, which caters to all ages by providing kids’ bikes, ‘trail-alongs’ and baby seats, and Sydney Harbour Bike Tours, which offers guided e-bike tours.
Your kids will be delighted when they realise half the fun of getting to Taronga Zoo Sydney is taking the ferry from Circular Quay or jumping in a water taxi. They’ll also love seeing the Sumatran tigers, the incredible Free Flight Birds show and the popular Seals for the Wild presentation, and riding the cable car across the zoo.
Thrill to the colourful rides at Luna Park, a restored 1930s-era amusement park at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and keep the excitement flowing by visiting Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour, where the kids can meet king penguins, sharks, turtles and a cheeky dugong named Pig.
Let the kids burn off any untapped reserves of energy at one of Sydney’s family-friendly beaches on the harbour, or head to the vast Centennial Parklands, a short drive from the city centre in the inner east, to let them loose in the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden.
Expand the family’s horizons
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to the Seedlings Nature School, where little ones (2.5 to 5 years old) are encouraged to enjoy nature play. Help your kids connect with the oldest living culture in the world on The Aboriginal Bush Tucker Tour, with your Aboriginal tour guide taking you through the Cadi Jam Ora garden so you can learn about native plants and try some bush foods.
Explore an amazing collection of Aboriginal and other Australian, European, Asian and contemporary art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, next to the Royal Botanic Garden. Inspire the family on a self-guided tour or head to the ticketing desk to find out about the latest family-friendly offerings.
Be intrigued by the ever-changing array of artworks and installations at the Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks before taking in amazing harbour views as your crew recharges with a snack from the healthy menu at the top-floor MCA Café.
Immerse in the worlds of science, technology, design and more at the fascinating Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, where the interactive displays offer the whole family insights into Australia’s unique culture. In nearby Darling Harbour, kids can climb aboard tall ships, a cold war submarine and many other vessels at the entertaining Australian National Maritime Museum.
BridgeClimb, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
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BridgeClimb, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying the Burrawa Indigenous Experience at BridgeClimb, Sydney.
Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a ride through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours.
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Bonza Bike Tours, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family enjoying a ride through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney on their hired bicycles from Bonza Bike Tours.
Refuel and recharge for round two
You’ll find most Sydney eateries cater for children. Keep hungry kids happy with a snack from the bakery menu or something more substantial from the hawker-style pan-Asian fusion selection at House Canteen at the Sydney Opera House. Or take in spectacular views of Sydney’s most iconic building from across the waters of Circular Quay at The Glenmore on Cumberland Street in The Rocks – it’s a great dinner spot that offers a fun atmosphere, with the kid’s menu including favourites such as popcorn chicken and fish and chips.
Perk up flagging kids with a slice of the ‘world’s most Instagrammed cake’ — the exquisite strawberry watermelon cake — at Black Star Pastry, in The Galeries on George Street. And top off a visit to Darling Harbour with some moreish Italian fare at Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour, which offers a special kids’ menu featuring the perennial favourites of pizza and spaghetti (children under 12 can eat free on Sundays). Reward yourself with a grown-up Tokyo-style burger while the little ones feast on Japanese fried chicken or eat from the kids’ menu at Ume Burger, in nearby Darling Square. Then enjoy an after-dinner treat at Gelato Messina, which has an outlet at Darling Square as well as at Gateway at Circular Quay and at Martin Place in the city centre.
Play where you stay
Indulge in the Family Fun package at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney and you’ll be perfectly placed to experience the best of the stunning harbour and city centre as well as delight in treating your children. The package includes gifts for the kids, an in-room kids’ movie experience, daily breakfast at Mode Kitchen & Bar for two adults and two children aged under 12, a family pass to Taronga Zoo, themed linen and a magical tent experience.
Make the family pet part of your holiday with a Family Playcation package at the Langham Sydney in Millers Point – bring the pooch and put the kids in an interconnecting room, where they can be entertained with an in-house movie and popcorn after a busy day exploring the city.
Inject some adventure into your Sydney sojourn by swapping out the five-star suite for sleeping under the stars. The whole family will thrill to an exclusive night safari guided by zookeepers and guides before falling asleep to the sounds of wild animals calling out as you camp in safari tents on a Roar and Snore experience at Taronga Zoo.
Or leave Sydney with indelible memories when you glamp in the waterfront campground or stay in heritage house or apartment on Cockatoo Island, a short ferry ride from Circular Quay in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Here you can explore the fascinating industrial relics of this former naval shipyard and convict prison before cooking a barbecue dinner with one of the best views in town, while your children make new friends with fellow camping kids.
Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family relaxing and roasting marshmallows at their Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite.
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Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Family relaxing and roasting marshmallows at their Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite.
The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park Credit: Destination NSW
Children enjoying The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park.
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The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park Credit: Destination NSW
Children enjoying The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden in Centennial Park.