If gathering numbers is the goal you set, then point your compass and make the Dubbo Region your target. Whether it's league or union, athletics, netball or cricket - the Dubbo Region loves its sport!
For assistance to bring your event to the Dubbo Region contact the Events Team at Dubbo Regional Council on 02 6801 4000 or email regionalevents@dubbo.nsw.gov.au
View our: Guide to Sporting Events in Dubbo Region and find an Event Supplier
Our top 5 reasons why you should stage your sporting event in the Dubbo Region
1. Proven record of success
The Dubbo Region has a proven record of hosting events of national and state significance, a tested ability to support large influxes of visitors, and a long and successful history of delivering a magnitude of sporting, cultural and business events.
Dubbo’s success story is due largely the significant investment made by Council in developing assets and infrastructure to support large-scale events. Over the past decades more than $20M has been invested in improvement and development of playing surfaces, facilities and amenities.
Included in the impressive portfolio of major events held in the Region:
- NRL Premiership fixture – South Sydney Vs Penrith (11,000 people)
- 3 Country v City Rugby League fixtures (8,000 – 11,000 people)
- 2 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Championships (10,000 people)
- 2 National/NSW Indigenous Touch Championships (5,000 people)
- NSW Touch Country Championships (2,000 people)
- U14 & U15 Country Rugby League Championships (1,500 people)
- National Aboriginal Rugby League 9s (3,000 people)
- Athletics NSW Region 3 Championships (2,000 people)
- U13 & U14 State Cricket Championships (1,000 people)
- National Indoor Junior Cricket Championships (1,800 people)
2. We are an adventure sport playground
The unique natural attributes of the Wellington make it the ideal destination for niche and extreme sporting events. Wellington is located 30 minutes east of Dubbo on the Mitchell Highway as is quickly building a reputation as a hub for adventure sport.
Wellington’s expansive Lake Burrendong is the perfect location for water sports. The dam’s surface area is equal to nearly 10,000 football fields and its wall taller than a 25-storey building. Lake Burrendong is a popular location for water skiing and fishing with the annual Lake Burrendong Fishing Classic attracting hundreds of rod and reel enthusiasts.
Mount Arthur Reserve in Wellington provides ideal attributed to support running and cycling events. The Mount Arthur Challenge held in previous years included runs up to 9km and a 50km cycling event. The two hour event was a popular date on the calendar of runners and cyclists from across Australia.
3. Plenty of group-style accommodation
There are more than 5,000 beds available in the Dubbo and Wellington and a further 5,000 beds within a 2 hour radius.
The abundance of accommodation and the region’s ability to meet the needs of groups are key reasons why carnivals, championships and competitions stud the annual events calendar. The region specialises in group accommodation providing a wide breadth of self-contained, cabin and dormitory-style options. Offering modern conveniences, and a range of configurations, the region’s motel-style accommodation is affordable and conveniently located.
4. Centrally located and easily accessed
Dubbo is located in the heart of New South Wales and sits on the junction of three major highways. More than 200 flights a week in and out of Dubbo including direct flights Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Road | Dubbo is a 5 hour drive from Sydney and the Illawarra Region; 4.5 hours from Newcastle, Central Coast, Cobar, Wagga Wagga and Canberra; 3.5 hours from Tamworth and 2 hours or less from Orange, Forbes, Parkes, Coonabarabran, Mudgee and Nyngan.
Air | The City is an hour’s direct flight from Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Brisbane and flights are also available to and from Broken Hill, Lightning Ridge and Walgett.
Rail | Daily train services via NSW Trainlink service the Sydney/Dubbo/Sydney line, stopping at various stations along the Western route.
5. Large catchment population
The Dubbo Region boasts a resident population of 52,000 and a catchment population in excess of 200,000 people. There are more than 180,000 people aged 20-49 years within a 4 hour radius.
Within a 4 hour drive your sporting event can tap into a pool of more than 82,000 competitors and spectators aged 18-35 years and over 100,000 people aged 35-50 years. There are plenty of local sporting and volunteer groups that are at the ready to support event activity held in the Dubbo Region.
The Dubbo Region is well-known as a holiday destination for families creating an appealing proposition for sporting competitions involving juniors
Venues by sporting code
| Code | Venue/s |
|---|---|
| Athletics | Barden Park |
| Australian Rules | South Dubbo Oval (2) |
| Cricket | Bob Dowling Oval (8), John McGrath Oval (2), Jubilee Oval (3), Lady Cutler Oval (7) , South Dubbo Oval (5), Victoria Park (3), Pioneer Park (2), Rygate Park (1) Tom Culkin Oval (1) |
| Cycling | Dubbo Regional Cycling Facility |
| Hockey | Pioneer Park (2) |
| Netball | Nita McGrath Precinct (20), Rygate Park |
| Rugby League/Union | Apex Oval (5), Jubilee Oval (4),Victoria Park (3), Bicentennial Park (1), Kennard Park (2) |
| Softball | Jubilee Oval (4) |
| Soccer | Hans Claven Oval (2), Lady Cutler Ovals (18), Pioneer Park |
| Swimming | Dubbo (1), Wellington (1) |
| Skateboarding | Dubbo and Wellington |
| Touch Football | Bob Dowling Oval (4), John McGrath Oval (6), Katrina Gibbs Oval (3) |
| Ultimate Frisbee | South Dubbo Oval |
Choose a time of year - Average rainfall (mm) by location
| Location | Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubbo | 56.1 | 42.2 | 63.5 | 31.4 | 38.8 | 48.3 | 41.5 | 34.3 | 41.7 | 46.2 | 59 | 58.9 |
| Tamworth | 61.5 | 73.2 | 51.1 | 25.2 | 29.9 | 51.9 | 40.1 | 37.7 | 43.1 | 55.3 | 81.2 | 75.4 |
| Port Macquarie - Hastings | 142.7 | 167.6 | 182.3 | 131.3 | 104.4 | 138.2 | 63.1 | 60.5 | 58.8 | 75.4 | 144.7 | 109.1 |
| Bathurst | 62.4 | 56.6 | 59 | 34.3 | 32.9 | 38.5 | 42.1 | 39.8 | 47.6 | 51.7 | 63.7 | 71.9 |
| Mudgee | 66.2 | 64.3 | 62.3 | 36.3 | 36.7 | 42.9 | 43.4 | 34.4 | 54.4 | 50.6 | 73 | 77.6 |
| Orange | 63.5 | 75.6 | 69.3 | 43.4 | 50.2 | 77 | 72.2 | 82.3 | 78 | 71.7 | 79.3 | 87 |
| Albury | 47.9 | 44.2 | 47.9 | 47.3 | 56.3 | 68.3 | 77.6 | 77.3 | 60.6 | 56.2 | 58.4 | 48.9 |
| Wagga Wagga | 40.1 | 40.2 | 45 | 40.5 | 50.5 | 50.5 | 53.7 | 51 | 49 | 55.8 | 46.5 | 46.1 |
- Cobra Street, Dubbo NSW 2830
Dubbo’s Apex Oval is the region’s premier football venue offering a state-of-the-art, sandbased, all-weather playing surface. The fully fenced site provides 360 degree, amphitheatre-style viewing for a capacity crowd of 18,000 people. The grandstand has undercover spectator seating for 1,340 people.
- Gipps Street, Dubbo NSW 2830
Barden Park is Dubbo’s ‘Centre of Excellence for Athletics’. The international-standard facility consists of suitable features for track, long jump, pole vault, shot put, high jump, and javelin events. An undercover grandstand provides optimum viewing for almost 600 spectators.
Comprising of a 10-lane Olympic-size swimming pool, control room, conference room with kitchen facilities, cafe and onsite BBQ facilities. The tiered undercover grandstand has capacity for over 600 people and provides unimpeded viewing for competitors, officials and spectators.
Comprising of a heated 50m x 8 lane pool, conference room for up to 100 people with kitchen facilities, cafe and onsite BBQ facilities. A total of 100sq metres of grassed area provides ample space for portable grandstands.
For assistance to bring your event to the Dubbo Region contact the Events Team at Dubbo Regional Council on 02 6801 4000 or email regionalevents@dubbo.nsw.gov.au
View our: Guide to Sporting Events in Dubbo Region and find an Event Supplier
The businesses mentioned below are proud partners in the attraction of major events to the Dubbo Region. Please support these businesses investing in the local community.
- 4 Blueridge Drive, Dubbo NSW 2830
Celebrating 20 Years! Based in Dubbo, Audio Plus provides professional AV services locally, regionally and across Australia. We supply staging, sound, lighting, exhibition services and large outdoor screens. We have the infrastructure and experience to cover any event.
At Lazy River, our heart and soul goes into delivering our catering service. We cater for events with uncompromising focus, exceptional service, quality outcomes and a ‘can do’ approach. Whether you select our venue, or a set location, our catering provides your event the wow factor you deserve.
Indulge in Jespresso – a cup of smooth, chocolate rich and aromatic coffee at your next event! Offering major events throughout the Central West personalised service from Jessica, a barista trained by nationally recognised industry professionals who is constantly staying abreast of coffee trends.
- 81 Wheelers Lane, Dubbo NSW 2830
At Kennards Hire we house a team of accredited and trained professionals who provide expert advice and assistance to meet your event needs; generators, lighting, plumbing, traffic management, or heating and cooling. We look forward to providing you with a competitive quote to help support your event.
- 61-63 Wheelers Lane, Dubbo NSW 2830
Western Plains Security Network prides itself on being locally owned and operated. A comprehensive Man Power Division can provide armed guards, cash in transit services, static guards, event security, bag checks, and crowd control. Whatever your security requirements we can look after you.
- Macquarie Street, Dubbo NSW 2830
Our online booking platform and onsite ticketing booth makes sales a breeze. 123 Tix can manage everything from the registration of conference delegates; premium ticket sales for your boutique event; through to tracking sales of tickets to large-scale festivals and sporting events.