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Date ideas in Dubbo
17 date ideas around Dubbo, from walking the zoo before it opens and a torchlit night at Old Dubbo Gaol to stargazing at the Observatory, Kusama's mirrored pumpkins and the Shoyoen Japanese Garden. Swipe through them above, or browse every one below. Each was checked on the place's own website: what it is, when it's on and what it costs. 2 are free.
Every date idea in Dubbo, by kind
17
ideas
2
free
5
kinds
Sep 2026
last checked
For couples: 8 date ideas in Dubbo
DUBBO
Stargazing with Peter Starr at Dubbo Observatory
Astronomer Peter Starr (yes, his real name) leads an outdoor night-sky session on Camp Road: a short astronomy talk under the stars, a laser-pointer tour of the constellations, then the Moon, planets and deep-sky objects through the observatory's telescopes.
When Most nights; start time shifts with the season (session times on the observatory's page). Half the tickets go on sale at 8am on the day, so you can book once you know the sky is clear
Cost Adults from $50 (booking fee online); a six-person Premium Session is $125 each
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The gatehouse of Old Dubbo Gaol. Photo: Kgbo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
A torchlit night tour of Old Dubbo Gaol
After dark, the 'Beyond the Grave' tour takes adults through the cells of the State Heritage-listed gaol on Macquarie Street by torchlight, telling its stories of death, punishment and darkness. Tickets include a daytime visit to the gaol too.
When Twice a month on selected nights (not public holidays); dates on the gaol's ticketing page
Cost From $50 adults; 16+ only
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
A lake inside Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Photo: Maksym Kozlenko · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Walk the zoo before it opens, then ride the circuit
On Saturday mornings a guide leads a quiet walk through Taronga Western Plains Zoo before the gates open to the public, past some of its endangered animals as the zoo wakes up. Afterwards, hire bikes and ride the one-way 5.5km sealed circuit, taking the smaller paths off the main road; helmets are provided.
When Walk Saturdays 7am to 9:30am (plus Wednesdays and Fridays in school holidays), book online; zoo circuit open 9am to 4pm every day
Cost Walk $15 each plus zoo entry ($51.30 adults when checked); all-day bike hire $17 (geared $24)
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
A tiger at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Photo: Maksym Kozlenko · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Feed a Sumatran tiger at Dubbo zoo
A keeper takes a group of no more than six behind the scenes to come eye to eye with a critically endangered Sumatran tiger, and you help feed it while hearing about the species in the wild.
When Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; meet at 12:25pm for 30 minutes; bookings essential
Cost $99 each plus zoo entry ($51.30 adults when checked); minimum age 10
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Western Plains Cultural Centre, home of the Kusama room. Photo: Ché Lydia Xyang · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Kusama's mirrored pumpkins at the Western Plains Cultural Centre
Step into Yayoi Kusama's yellow, polka-dotted room at Dubbo's free gallery and museum, where dozens of lit pumpkins inside a mirrored box reflect into infinity. The work is on long-term loan from the National Gallery of Australia.
When Kusama room 10am to 2pm daily; centre open every day 9am to 4pm (until 6pm Friday); closed Good Friday and 24 to 26 December and New Year's Day
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
The sandstone stables at Dundullimal Homestead. Photo: Kgbo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Devonshire tea at Dundullimal Homestead
A National Trust homestead from the early 1840s, which the Trust calls one of Australia's oldest and most refined slab houses, with cedar joinery, sandstone stables, a blacksmith's forge and a timber church whose bell you can ring. Finish with Devonshire tea at the Shed Café.
When Monday, Friday and Saturday, 11am to 3pm (last entry 2pm); closed some public holidays
Cost $15 adults (National Trust members free)
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
A footbridge in Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden. Photo: Maksym Kozlenko · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
EAST DUBBO
Shoyoen Japanese Garden and the Wiradjuri Garden
In East Dubbo's Regional Botanic Garden, wander the Shoyoen Japanese Garden, then follow the Wiradjuri Garden's three themed paths for the rivers, landscapes and plants of the Wiradjuri Nation, looking for the Rainbow Serpent and stopping at the yarning circles.
When Shoyoen and the other themed gardens Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm, weekends 9:30am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday); Wiradjuri Garden sunrise to sunset
Cost No entry fee listed
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
DUBBO
Derby Day at the Dubbo races
The Inland Petroleum Golden Eagle and Derby Day race meeting at Dubbo Turf Club on Merrilea Road. Buy tickets ahead through the club's website.
When Saturday 31 October 2026
Cost Ticketed; prices on the club's ticketing page
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Food and drink: 5 date ideas in Dubbo
Jacarandas in Victoria Park, where the market is held. Photo: Kgbo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Saturday morning at the Dubbo Farmers Market
Twice a month local producers fill Victoria Park with seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, local meat and eggs, olive oil, preserves, honey and nuts. Start with breakfast and a coffee from the market, then fill a bag for the week.
When 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month (3rd Saturday only in January), 8am to 12 noon, rain, hail or shine
Cost Pay as you go at each stall
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
DUBBO
Beer and woodfired pizza at Devil's Hollow
The brewery that calls itself Dubbo's first opened in 2019 and says it takes its name from the Wambuul (Macquarie) River. Its own beers pour from 11am every day, alongside woodfired pizzas and a full kitchen.
When Taproom Tuesday to Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to late, Sunday 11am to 5pm, Monday 11am to 2pm; kitchen until 8:45pm Tuesday to Saturday
Cost Woodfired pizzas $22 to $26; surcharges may apply on public holidays
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
DUBBO
Set-menu dinner at Cultivate, Lazy River Estate
A few nights a month the Lazy River Estate dining room opens for Cultivate: executive chef Brad Myers' three-course set menu, changing monthly, with bread, sauces and condiments made from scratch, looking over the estate's vines and grounds.
When Selected Thursday evenings and the last Friday of the month, from 6pm (pre-drinks from 5:30pm); dates on the restaurant page; bookings essential and open on the 1st of each month for the next month
Cost $95 each for three courses on the October 2026 menu when checked ($50 deposit when booking); drinks extra, no BYO
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Dubbo RSL, with One7Eight upstairs. Photo: Bidgee · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Dinner and cocktails at One7Eight
Upstairs at Dubbo RSL, One7Eight is the club's special-occasion restaurant, with a seasonal menu, a cocktail bar alongside and a room 'worth dressing up for'. Drop into the bar for a drink even without a table.
When Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm; bookings recommended on Fridays and Saturdays
Cost Mains $36 to $53 on the winter menu when checked (the menu lists two prices per dish; the page notes member pricing applies); 12-hour slow-roasted lamb shoulder to share $96/$104
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
DUBBO
Friday pizza and live music at Rhino Lodge
A glamping lodge on Camp Road, beside the zoo's southern boundary, whose restaurant fires woodfired pizzas on weekend nights. On Fridays there's live music from 6pm, or share the 1kg tomahawk steak.
When Dinner Friday and Saturday, 6pm to 9pm on summer hours (from 4 September 2026; hours change with the season, check the restaurant page); live music Friday evenings from 6pm. Bookings advisable, walk-ins welcome
Cost Woodfired pizzas $20 to $25; 1kg tomahawk steak to share $80
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Shows and music: 2 date ideas in Dubbo
Macquarie Street, the main street Crossroads Bar is on. Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
A gig at Crossroads Bar
A live-music bar on Macquarie Street that grew out of the stage in the music shop next door. Local and touring acts play regular gigs, some free and some ticketed, plus open mic nights and jam sessions, with a record bar and a hallway of Dubbo music history on the walls; cocktails and Six String beers on tap.
When Regular gigs; dates on the gig guide
Cost Some shows free; others ticketed, prices on each show's listing
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. Photo: Bidgee · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
A show and a cheese box at the Dubbo Regional Theatre
The council's 500-seat theatre overlooking Victoria Park hosts local, national and international performances year-round. Pre-order a cheese box to share at the bar, which pours local wines and beers, an hour before curtain.
When Shows year-round; dates on the What's On page
Cost Ticketed; prices on each show's page
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Make something: 1 date ideas in Dubbo
DUBBO
An 80s and 90s singalong paint and sip
A Saturday-night paint and sip at Dubbo RSL where a live singer runs through 80s and 90s anthems while a host artist walks you, stroke by stroke, through painting a Santorini doorway. No experience needed; you take the canvas home.
When Saturday 21 November 2026, painting starts 6pm (up to 3 hours); online tickets only, no door sales
Cost $59 each (all art gear included); 18+ only; bar at the venue, no BYO
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Views and climbs: 1 date ideas in Dubbo
The Tracker Riley Cycleway in Dundullimal Reserve. Photo: Bidgee · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗
DUBBO
Walk or ride the Tracker Riley Cycleway
A 13km path along the Macquarie River linking the city centre with the zoo and Dundullimal Homestead. It is named after Dubbo's Alec 'Tracker' Riley, the first Aboriginal tracker to reach the rank of Sergeant.
When Any day
Cost Free
Checked on the official website, 30 Sep 2026
Can't decide? Let the deck pick your Dubbo date
Stuck for date night ideas, or for things to do together at the weekend? Instead of scrolling lists, let the deck deal you one date idea at a time. Swipe right on the ones you like, left on the ones you don't, and within a few minutes you have a shortlist to choose from, or just take the first one you both said yes to.
How it works
Swipe to decide. Each card is one date: what to do, where it is, when it's on and what it costs. Swipe right (or tap Save) to keep it, left (or Skip) to see the next.
Share it with your date. Share sends a link that opens the deck on the same card, so the other person can say yes too.
Keep the ones you like. Saved ideas stay under the deck and on the map. Sign in and they're kept in My Places on every device.
Filter by the kind of date. Food and drink, shows and music, on the water, views and climbs, making something together, or ideas for couples.
Where the date ideas come from
Every idea of ours names a real place and was checked on its official website: what it is, when it's on and what it costs, with a link to that website and the date it was checked. Ideas with an end date leave the deck once they finish. Photos come from Wikimedia Commons and are credited on each card. Mixed in are bookable tours and experiences, clearly marked, with today's prices.
Questions
Can it pick a date for us?
Yes. Swipe until one appeals, or save a few and choose between them. For a single answer, the date wheel picks one at random.
Is it free?
Yes. Many of the ideas are free too: walks, lookouts, galleries, markets and swims.
Do we need an account?
No. Saves stay in your browser; sign in only if you want them on other devices.
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Every idea links to the place’s own website and was checked there on the date shown; times and prices change, so check before you go. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.