Giraffe feeding at Dubbo Zoo
The highlight of our recent road trip through NSW with our 2 kids, Ollie 5 and Harry 3 was a visit to Dubbo Zoo (Taronga Western Plains Zoo). The Zoo has a great layout, you can drive around the 6km one way circuit, or hire bicycles or an electric cart. The animals are in an open environment which makes you feel like you are not visiting a typical zoo. It is still completely safe as most of the animal ‘enclosures’ are surrounded by a moat.
Ollie and Harry in cart at Dubbo Zoo
The electric cart to hire is $69 for 3 hours, although it seemed costly, it was really worth it. Harry is still talking about it!!! It is like a golf cart but tarted up with giraffe stripes and seat belts. At the end of route, there is an excellent playground for kids, there is also a food and drink stop half way around (opposite the zebras) so it’s a good place to stop for lunch.
Zoofari Lodge at Dubbbo Zoo
We also stayed overnight at the zoo at the Zoofari Lodge which was a great experience. It is not a cheap overnight stay but really worthwhile. The overnight charge includes 2 days entry to the zoo (normally $45 per adult per day), an overnight stay in a structured tent (with heated floors, ensuite and proper beds!!), scrumptious dinner and breakfast and 3 safaris. The safaris were excellent. We saw different animals each time and got to feed the giraffes (the highlight), a rhino, a bongo and an elephant. We also saw lions, tigers, a wolf and the hippos.
Hippos at Dubbo Zoo
The staff and zoo keepers were really helpful and knowledgeable. As I had injured my foot the day before our road trip started, and was struggling with my crutches, they offered me a wheelchair for the duration of our stay. It was a lifesaver. This meant I could get go on all the safaris, see all the animals on tour and get around the lodge easily.
Top Tips for the zoo:
1. The zoo opens at 9am so get there right on time. There are many feeding sessions and zoo keeper talks during the day (mainly in the morning) so get there early to get organised for the day. They also have activities/adventures you can do that you pay extra for. At 10.10am they have the giraffe feeding which is excellent. It’s $5 per person so it’s a shame if you miss it. If you stay overnight at the Zoo, giraffe feeding is included on one of the safaris.
Giraffe at Dubbo Zoo
2. Just after you enter the Zoo, stop at the big car park near the information centre. The cart and bicycle hire is here too. It’s a good spot to stop and get your bearings and work out what you want to do for the day. The zoo website also has all the information you need to plan your visit ahead of time. If you decide to hire the cart after you start the one way 6km circuit, you have to drive all the way back to the start (we did that!!)
3. We really recommend the cart – it was fun and the kids loved it.
Tigers at Dubbo Zoo
5. The overnight stay was really fun and enjoyable. The tents are equipped with everything you need, they are not fancy but the heated floors were a great bonus. The Lodge and tents are right near the African animals so you have the animals at your doorstep.
Please visit Haggus and Stookles E-store. We sell Children’s Hats and other high quality products for your kids there. Visit now, you can find variety of products to choose from!
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