Discover 10 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Dubbo (Australia). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Old Dubbo Gaol, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, and L.H. Ford Bridge. Also, be sure to include Macquarie River railway bridge in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Dubbo (New South Wales).
Table of Contents
Old Dubbo Gaol
Museum in Dubbo, Australia. The Old Dubbo Gaol is a heritage-listed former gaol and now museum and tourist attraction at 90 Macquarie Street, Dubbo in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The gaol was designed by the NSW Colonial Architect's Office and was built from 1847 to 1945 by James Atkinson Jnr and William Bonython Moffatt. The gaol is also known as the Dubbo Jail and the Dubbo Gaol. The building was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 26 March 2004. The building was the second gaol in Dubbo, replacing lockups built in 1847 and 1862.
When closed, the Government of New South Wales planned its demolition and replacement with a multi-storey office block. Protests led by the then Dubbo City Council and local historical society led to the plans being dropped. In 1973 the building was transferred from the NSW Department for Corrections to the city council, with the intention of restoration and creation of a tourist attraction.[1]
Address: 90 Macquarie St, 2830 Dubbo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Zoo in Dubbo, Australia. Taronga Western Plains Zoo, formerly known as Western Plains Zoo and commonly known as Dubbo Zoo, is a large zoo near Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. It opened to the public on 28 February 1977, to provide more living and breeding space for large animals such as elephants and antelopes which needed more space than was available at the restricted Sydney site. The zoo is run by the Taronga Conservation Society, along with Taronga Zoo Sydney. Western Plains Zoo is located on the Newell Highway in west Dubbo about 5 km from the city.[2]
Address: Obley Rd, NSW 2830 Dubbo
L.H. Ford Bridge
Cantilever bridge in Dubbo, Australia. The L.H. Ford Bridge is a concrete balanced cantilever bridge that carries the Mitchell Highway over the Macquarie River in Dubbo, New South Wales. It was officially open to traffic by the Minister for Local Government and Minister for Highways, Pat Morton on 26 September 1969 and named in honour of the former Mayor of Dubbo and Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Dubbo, Les Ford. Work commended in 2018 to strengthen and extend the life of the bridge, with the project completed in 2020.[3]
Macquarie River railway bridge
The Dubbo rail bridge over Macquarie River - Wambuul is a heritage-listed railway bridge on the Main Western line across the Macquarie River, located west of the Dubbo central business district in New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton as the Engineer-in-Chief for the New South Wales Government Railways. The bridge was built during 1884 by Benjamin Barnes, with ironwork by Cochrane & Co, Middlesborough, England. The railway bridge is also known as the Dubbo Lattice Railway Bridge. The property is owned by RailCorp, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and was listed on the Register of the National Estate on 18 April 1989.
The bridge is sited 462.762 kilometres (287.547 mi) from Sydney Central station.[4]
Dundullimal Homestead
Heritage building in Dubbo, Australia. Dundullimal Homestead is a heritage-listed former pastoral station and now cultural facility, house museum and events centre. The Australian colonial slab hut-type homestead is located approximately 7 kilometres south of Dubbo in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, on Obley Road, set on the bank of the Macquarie River. The homestead was built in c. 1842 by John Maughan and is also known as Dundullimal. The property is owned by National Trust of Australia, NSW branch. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 1 March 2002, and is listed on the Register of the National Estate.
The homestead is located two kilometres (one point two miles) further than Western Plains Zoo on Obley Road. Driving time is approximately eight minutes from the Dubbo central business district, and the property can also be accessed via the Tracker Riley cycle way. The building is administered by the National Trust and has become a major and significant tourist attraction in the Dubbo area, attracting large numbers of visitors from all around the country. The property is open Tuesday - Saturday 11am-3pm and by special arrangements to visit at other times (e.g. for school visits or bus groups). Dundullimal Homestead and grounds are also booked extensively as a venue for weddings, art exhibitions, concerts and parties.[5]
Address: 23L Obley Rd, 2830 Dubbo
Talbragar Shire Council Chambers
The Talbragar Shire Council Chambers is a heritage-listed former council chambers and former bank building located in Macquarie Street, Dubbo, in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The building was designed by Architect Hilley. It is also known as CBC Bank and Commercial Banking Company. The property is owned by Dubbo Regional Council and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[6]
Emile Serisier Bridge
Bridge. The Emile Seriser Bridge is a low-level, four-lane road bridge which crosses the Macquarie River in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge carries the Newell Highway, a major freight corridor, and along with the LH Ford Bridge on the Mitchell Highway makes Dubbo a major freight hub.
The bridge is prone to flooding, being only 257.6 metres on the Australian Height Datum and lower than the 1-in-10-year recurrence interval flood level of 259.97 metres AHD for the Macquarie River at Dubbo. When the bridge is closed due to flooding, traffic is diverted to the two-lane LH Ford Bridge, which can result in congestion and long travel delays due to capacity issues.[7]
Dubbo Observatory
Specialty museum, Museum, Observatories and planetariums
Address: 17L Camp Rd, 2830 Dubbo
Colonial Mutual Life building
The Colonial Mutual Life building is a heritage-listed former life insurance office located at 118 Macquarie Street, Dubbo in the Dubbo Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as CML Building and 116-120 Macquarie Street. The property is privately owned and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[8]
Courthouse
