The Dubbo Region is making strides in eco-conscious tourism. Go green and holiday with a good conscience by exploring some of our incredibly sustainable attractions.
The Region is planted firmly in Australia’s first Renewable Energy Zone, which aims to replace coal-fired stations with solar and wind facilities. As you travel between Wellington and Dubbo you will spot glimmers of solar farms and impressive wind turbines spinning in the distance.
The world renowned and not-for-profit Taronga Western Plains Zoo is leading the sustainable tourism charge with its ECO Certification in Advanced Ecotourism and certified carbon neutral status. The Zoo’s successful breeding programs for endangered species are making incredible strides in saving at risk animal populations of Black Rhinos, Asian Elephants, Giraffe, Tahki and Sumatran Tigers.
The new Wildlife Hospital gives visitors an up close look at Taronga’s talented veterinary staff as they ‘heal the wild’ through viewing windows. The Hospital is also home to the largest collection of frozen coral in the world, with samples from the Great Barrier Reef stored in Dubbo in the hopes of restoring and potentially re-seeding the reef in the future.
In 2023 Taronga Western Plains Zoo made huge progress in the sustainability space, by becoming powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity. This landmark switch was made seven years ahead of Taronga’s sustainability target, which was to be powered by renewable electricity before 2030. It means that every year from now on, approximately 7,000 tonnes of CO2 are no longer being released into the atmosphere (via Taronga Annual Report 2022-2023).
Your travel footprint
Limit landfill
Offload your recyclable bottles and cans during your stay in the Dubbo Region and take advantage of our Return and Earn facilities. With 3 locations in Dubbo and 1 in Wellington, you can check the opening hours and machine capacity at the map online here.
Pedal power
Soak up the sunshine, breathe in the fresh air and give the car a break as you explore the Dubbo Region on 2 wheels. With a range of cycling routes offering picturesque views, pit stops at major attractions and options for on and off road exploration. Stop in at one of our Visitor Information Centres for an up to date cycleways map and suggestions for the best loops to suit your cycle style.
Sustainable souvenirs
Take home a piece of the Dubbo Region that you will use time and time again. Our Visitor Information Centres have a great range of reusable tumblers, water bottles and sturdy market bags. You can also support farm to table local producers by picking up some small batch, regional products at either of the Centres.
Native conservation
Not only is the Zoo making incredible progress in energy conservation and sustainable practices, the Taronga Sanctuary is home to breeding programs for endangered fauna such as the Greater Bilby, Chuditch (Western Quoll) and regent honeyeater. The fenced sanctuary at TWPZ is free from predators including foxes and feral cats. The purpose of this incredibly important site it to breed a large number of genetically and behaviourally robust bilbies for release to the wild in NSW and beyond.
Image via Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Greater Bilby baby with keeper Steven Kleine
Roads less travelled
The Dubbo Region has plenty of room to roam, with un-spoilt and protected land perfect for family-friendly walking, kayaking, cycling, bird watching, swimming and camping. Enjoy
seeing kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and koalas, as well as rare birds and plants. You can discover some of the reserves and hidden gems to explore using the Great Outdoors map in the centre of our Visitor Guide, available online here. Always remember, take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints.
Healing the wild
Guests at Taronga Western Plains Zoo can now see firsthand how Taronga cares for an array of animals with previously ‘behind-the-scenes’ hospital activities now on display to the public at a brand-new Wildlife Hospital. Visitors experience an up close view of animal surgeries as they take place via windows and TV monitors – a unique offering of conservation in action, and the amazing work the Zoo vets undertake every day. Find out more about the Wildlife Hospital here.
Image via Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Wildlife Hospital Opening Koala check up
Fabulous flora and fauna
Immerse yourself in beauty of the Aussie bush at the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum. This incredible garden is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Australia's unique and incredibly diverse flora, and is located near Mumbil, south-east of Wellington. The Garden houses one of the largest collections of Australian plants in cultivation, with more than 50,000 flowering plants, shrubs and trees from over 2,000 species growing on 164 hectares with stunning views overlooking Lake Burrendong.
The Arboretum opens from sunrise to sunset every day of the year! Don't miss exploring Fern Gully, once a dry bush gully that has been transformed into a man-made rainforest complete with an enormous, thatched canopy. Enjoy the gently trickling creek, tree ferns and rainforest trees in this cool and delightful oasis. Pack your pushbike, a picnic hamper, bird watching binoculars and your very best walking shoes to experience nature at it's best. Plan your visit.
