Things to do with kids in Dubbo, Orange & Central NSW
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the reason most families come to Dubbo, and the best way to do it is to hire bikes and ride the circuit between the open-range exhibits. Tickets cover two days, so you don't have to rush. In town, the Old Dubbo Gaol has actors in costume and a quiz for kids.
Half an hour south, Wellington Caves has hour-long cave tours and a lab where kids can look at fossils. Wear enclosed shoes. In Bathurst, a 10-metre T. rex skeleton stands in the Fossil and Mineral Museum, and the motor racing museum sits right beside Mount Panorama.
Near Orange, Lake Canobolas has an adventure playground, a cafe and a path around the water. Bring a torch for the short loop through Arch Cave at Borenore. In Canowindra, the Age of Fishes Museum shows armoured fish that lived 360 million years ago.
168 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Dubbo. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
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Top things to do in Dubbo & Orange
Cycle the circuit at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
A one-way 5.5km circuit links the open-range exhibits, and you can drive it, walk it or hire bikes and electric carts. A bike with a baby seat or a caboose costs $30 for the day. Tickets cover two consecutive days, and the circuit opens 9am to 4pm daily.
about 5 min
Zoo · Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
Step inside the cells at Old Dubbo Gaol
Kids can walk through the cell block, the exercise yards and the watch tower while actors in period costume bring the gaol's stories to life. Ask the team about Prisoner Puzzles, a quiz with prizes. The gaol opens 9am to 5pm daily, and a family pass for two adults and two kids is $59.
under 5 min
Heritage · Old Dubbo Gaol
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Go underground at Wellington Caves
Guided cave tours take about an hour, and Cathedral Cave holds a limestone formation about 15 metres tall. Back above ground, the Discovery Lab lets kids examine fossils and megafauna through a magnifier. Fully enclosed shoes are a must on cave tours, and the Fossil and Phosphate Mine tour is closed for now.
about 60 min
Caves · Wellington Caves and Holiday Park
Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Meet armoured fish at the Age of Fishes Museum
Thousands of fossil fish found near Canowindra lived in the Devonian Period, more than 360 million years ago. Some had armoured shells, some had lungs, and live aquarium displays show what their world looked like. The museum opens 10am to 3.45pm Thursday to Monday, and every day in NSW school holidays.
about 2 hr 30
Museum · The Age Of Fishes Museum
Photo: eileenmak, CC BY 2.0
Stand under a T. rex in Bathurst
A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton 10.5 metres long is the centrepiece of the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Look for creatures preserved in amber, opalised fossils and crystals from more than 100 Australian mine sites. It closes on Wednesdays outside NSW school holidays, and kids under school age get in free.
about 2 hr 45
Museum · Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum
Photo: Shkuru Afshar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visit the racing museum at Mount Panorama
This museum sits beside Bathurst's Mount Panorama circuit and tells the story of its racing history. Kids under school age get in free, and a family ticket is $39. It closes on Tuesdays outside NSW school holidays, and access may be restricted during race events.
about 2 hr 45
Museum · National Motor Racing Museum
Photo: Jon Ovington, CC BY-SA 2.0
Picnic by the water at Lake Canobolas
This reserve at the foot of Mount Canobolas has the Apex Adventure Playground on its eastern bank and a lakeside kiosk and cafe. A walking track circles the lake, with barbecues, picnic areas and fishing spots along the way. It opens 7am to 7pm daily, and dogs must stay on a lead.
about 2 hr 15
Lake · Lake Canobolas
Photo: Aoujwt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Paddle the still water at Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp
This stretch of the Cudgegong River in Wollemi National Park suits canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. Watch for wallabies, long-necked turtles and platypus, and greater gliders at night. The campground is busy in school and public holidays, so bring drinking water and book through NSW National Parks.
about 2 hr 45
Lake · Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp
Photo: Mountain Ash, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bring a torch to Arch Cave
The 0.7km Arch loop track starts at the Borenore picnic area and takes 15 to 30 minutes, with short steep hills and many steps. Inside the cave, a torch picks out stalactites, stalagmites and striped rock walls. Water can rise quickly in storms, so check the forecast and wear sturdy shoes.
about 2 hr
Cave · Arch Cave, Borenore
Photo: Mountain Ash, CC BY-SA 3.0
Everything on the map
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Big playgrounds
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Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.