10 of the best things to do in Dubbo

African safaris, 400-million-year-old cave wonderworlds and a quaint Japanese garden; a trip to Dubbo allows you to traverse not only the globe, but time itself.

Could Dubbo be the regional city that has it all? It’s a question that continues to trump ‘What is there to do in Dubbo?’ or ‘Things to do in Dubbo?’ (which we’re pretty sure haven’t been asked in the best part of a decade).

Set on the banks of the Macquarie River and surrounded by a sprinkling of towns and villages rooted in quintessential rural living, Dubbo itself is a powerhouse of world class attractions and once-in-a-lifetime experiences designed to delight every member of the family.

Only got a few days in town? Mark the following as your must-visits:  

1. Old Dubbo Gaol

a historical display at the Old Dubbo Gaol — The sandstone gaol is now a heritage-listed museum in Dubbo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Heading straight to prison may not sound like much of a sell, but then Old Dubbo Gaol isn’t just any old property. State Heritage-listed and beautifully restored, this historic sandstone gaol – located in the heart of Dubbo – operated between 1847 and 1966, capturing over 119 years of stories and artefacts which run the gamut from the curious to the grim.

Macabre night tours (held during the NSW school holidays) remain a popular choice for those who enjoy their tales on the dark side, but it’s hard to go past the Gallows Gallery featuring the latest collection of hangman ropes in Australia.

Address: 90 Macquarie St, Dubbo

2. Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

a calf and a mother elephant at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo — Spot Asian elephants roaming the zoo. (Image: Destination NSW)

Fancy an African safari in the heart of New South Wales? Thanks to its large, open plains (not to mention its healthy population of big cats, rhinos, elephants, and more), that’s exactly what Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo has been offering Australians since it opened in the late 1970s.

Getting around this gargantuan, open range sanctuary is easy: not only is it possible to explore its 5km circuit by car, on foot, by bicycle or by electric safari car, you can even hire a pedal boat and explore the Savannah Lake, home to the spider monkeys and lemurs.

Three accommodation types are available, including the Zoofari Lodge, which offers a complete safari-style experience, including meals, exclusive tours, zoo entry and bike hire.

Address: Obley Road, Dubbo

3. Dubbo Observatory

guests exploring Dubbo Observatory — See the planets through a 17-inch telescope at Dubbo Observatory. (Image: Destination NSW)

Anyone can take a photo of Dubbo’s street-level attributes, but it can hardly hold a candle to the ultimate memento of what locals call ‘the city of smiles’: shots of the nebula above. It can only happen with a visit to Dubbo Observatory, of course, where local astronomer Peter Starr treats visitors to explore the wonders of the universe.

Night sky tours, telescope viewing and astrophotography sessions are all available, but advance bookings are recommended.

Address: 17K Camp Road, Dubbo

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

4. Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience

the gallery at Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience, Dubbo — Touch down at the immersive Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience. (Image: Destination NSW)

Touching down in the world of heroic medical professionals servicing outback communities sounds far more courageous than it needs to be; in fact, a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience is all it takes to immerse yourself into the remote reaches of our vast country.

Explore (in Augmented Reality) both the cabin of an aeromedical aircraft and an interactive health station, check out day-to-day medical emergencies unfolding courtesy of the big screen, and hear real stories about how Royal Flying Doctor teams deliver life-saving help across the outback, or what they like to call ‘a 7.69 million square km ‘waiting room’.

Address: 21 Judy Jakins Drive, Dubbo

5. Dubbo Farmers Market

people shopping for fresh produce at Dubbo Farmers Market — Dubbo Farmers Market opens every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. (Image: Destination NSW)

There’s nothing to say you have to stock up on a bounty of fragrant preserves and honey, freshly roasted nuts or marinated olives when you pop in at Dubbo Farmers’ Market, located on the corner of Macquarie Street and the Newell Highway, but why would you want to miss out?

Okay, those visiting Dubbo Farmers Market – held on the first and third Saturday of the month – can and should pop by for a mouthwatering breakfast centred on local produce or a coffee – but with over 60 stallholders on site to showcase their wares, it makes sense to commit to the experience.

Address: Cnr Macquarie Street & Newell Hwy, Dubbo

6. Western Plains Cultural Centre

the People, Places, Possessions: Dubbo Stories permanent exhibition at the Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo — Get to know Dubbo straight from the relics of people who lived there. (Image: Destination NSW)

Welcome to the heart of Dubbo’s creative identity, an expansive gallery home to three distinct exhibition programs: the Dubbo Regional Gallery, Dubbo Museum and a community arts centre. Western Plains Cultural Centre features permanent exhibitions that speak to people, history and place, a HomeGround program which nurtures and grows local contemporary artists, and an impressive National Touring program which allows a peek behind major metropolitan galleries, there’s no better place to visit if you want to get a feel for the region’s pulse.

Address: 76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo

7. Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens

mini waterfalls within lush greenery at Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens — Find Zen at the Shoyoen Japanese Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Everyone loves a free activity (particularly when it’s so picturesque) but with Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens, it almost feels criminal waltzing through the gates without paying a fee.

Home to five distinctive garden spaces: Shoyoen Japanese Garden, the Sensory Garden, the Biodiversity Garden, the Oasis Valley and the Wiradjuri Garden, every corner invites a new sight, sound or scent as you take your morning walk.

Families, too, are catered for with an adventure playground and that all-important cafe.

Address: 851 Coronation Drive, East Dubbo

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8. Lazy River Estate

vineyard views surrounding Lazy River Estate, Dubbo — Go on a relaxing stroll through the estate’s vines. (Image: Destination NSW)

Located on the banks of the Macquarie River on the outskirts of town, the Lazy River Estate winery might be known as THE wedding venue of the region, but there’s nothing to say you need to get hitched to enjoy a stroll through the estate’s vines or some R&R under the shade of 300-year-old gum trees.

Our advice? Make a booking at Cultivate at Lazy River Estate, a degustation event hosted once a week in the Lazy River Estate dining room, and/or keep an eye out for their calendar of events which include a Summer on the Deck series.

Address: 29R Old Dubbo Road, Dubbo

9. Wellington Caves

a father and son exploring Wellington Caves — The magnificent cave formations took millions of years to form. (Image: Destination NSW)

Time travel is a crazy thing;  the drive to Wellington Caves only takes half an hour from Dubbo’s city centre, but upon entry to this underground playland, you discover you’ve travelled hundreds of millions of years.

Discovered in 1830 by colonist George Ranken (when he accidentally fell into one of the caves), the Wellington Caves & Phosphate Mine provides a chance to explore a world of subterranean waters, dramatic formations and marsupial fossils. You can take a guided tour through Cathedral Cave (famous for its 32-metre-wide and 15-metre-high stalagmite), Gaden Cave, which dazzles with its display of crystal formations or just roll up your sleeves and play paleontologist for the day and examine ancient fossils in the Discovery Lab.

Address: Caves Road, Mitchell Hwy, Wellington

10. Press

alfresco seating at Press Cafe, Dubbo — Pull up a seat in the lush courtyard at Press Cafe. (Image: Destination NSW)

At face value, Press is a cafe, coffee roastery, pantry shop, and event space housed in a heritage home in Central Dubbo, but you could also argue it also serves as the heart of the town. Devoted to serving up dishes showcasing local ingredients (you’d be crazy not to take a seat in the light-filled space at least once), you can lose whole hours drinking, browsing, chatting and driving away with a car boot full of coffee. Visit at your own risk.

Address: 33 Bultje Street, Dubbo

Need more ideas? Check out of city guide to Dubbo

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.