These free experiences, attractions and sights won't cost you a cent. Here are some ideas to enjoy the Dubbo Region on a budget.
1. Heritage walks – history buffs and inquisitive minds will love a peek into the region’s past with one of the easy heritage walks. Stop by the Visitor Information Centre for maps and information.
2. Dubbo CBD dance floor – as night falls stop by the Cyril Flood Rotunda on Macquarie Street where you will find a glowing dancefloor the kids will love to bust a move on.
3. Disc Golf course – located near the Sandy Beach Reserve Dubbo’s 18 hole Disc Golf course is a fantastic challenge for beginners or even pros to this unique sport. BYO Frisbee or you can hire or purchase from the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre.
4. Public access area at Taronga Western Plains Zoo – the Zoo’s free entry Visitor Plaza offers a gorgeous view of the Savannah Lake and Primate Islands, home to Spider Monkeys and Lemurs just near the Zoo Café and Bar.
5. Western Plains Cultural Centre Museum – stop in and explore the Dubbo Regional Museum’s collection of the Region’s historical artefacts called ‘People Places Possessions: Dubbo Stories’ as well as the temporary exhibition space for travelling and in-house curated exhibitions.
6. Tracker Riley Cycleway – 13km cycleway loop named after Dubbo's famous Alec 'Tracker' Riley, the first Aboriginal tracker to reach the rank of Sergeant. Extending from the CBD to Dundullimal Homestead and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
7. Wellington Caves Ancient Landscapes Gallery - located at the Wellington Caves Visitor Experience Centre the gallery is free to enter and offers an interactive window into the region's prehstoric past! Explore marine environments from 400 million years ago, interact with life size extinct Australian Megafauna, learn traditional Wiradjuri stories from Wellington and inspect what scientists are studying at the Caves today.
8. Terramungamine rock grooves cultural site – follow interpretive signage on this short walk along the Macquarie River. Stop on the viewing platforms to see over 150 rock carvings created by the Wiradjuri Tribe when shaping tools and spears, the site was an important meeting place for the Tubbagah people.
9. Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens - Enliven your senses and explore five distinctive garden spaces, including the Shoyoen authentic Japanese Garden, the Biodiversity Garden, the Sensory Garden, the cool surrounds of Oasis Valley and stroll the gently curving paths of the latest addition the Wiradjuri Garden.
10. Public art – the streets and sites of the Dubbo Region are alive with colourful pops of art and sculpture just waiting to be discovered, here are just a few to keep an eye out for:
- Pearl Gibbs mural by the artist Adnate on the corner of Talbragar and Darling streets
- The extensive 100m long mural on the fence at Macquarie Homestay on the Golden Highway, a collaborative effort by a group of artists including Jack Randell, John Murray, Lewis Burns, Gill Pedrana, and Pietro Dudek.
- The Dubbo Visitor Information Centre mural featuring threatened native species by local artist Gill Pedrana.
- Bronze statue of Aboriginal rights activist William 'Bill' Ferguson created by sculptor Brett Garling located near the Cyril Flood Rotunda in the Dubbo CBD.
Call in to one of our Region’s Visitor Information Centres for more information, ideas and directions.
