7 Day Dubbo & Zoofari Lodge

Departing: Monday 12th October 2026

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Fitness Level: please contact one of our consultants if you have any questions.

Meals: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / PL = Picnic Lunch / D = Dinner / FD = Feature Dinner

TRAVEL ITINERARY

DAY 1 - HOME to GOONDIWINDI    (D)

Monday 12th October 2026:  Welcome to our tour to Dubbo. Once onboard, meet fellow travellers, relax, and watch the world go by. In Yelarbon, we stop at the striking Silo Art, the only set in Australia with two tall and six shorter silos in a row. We stop for lunch before arriving in Goondiwindi for our first night together. 

Stay: Jolly Swagman Motor Inn

DAY 2 - GOONDIWINDI to DUBBO     (BLD)

Tuesday 13th October:  Today we cross the New South Wales border, stopping in Narrabri for lunch at the Outback Shack, filled with memorabilia and a striking mural. We then continue via Coonabarabran, arriving in Dubbo late afternoon. Tonight, we stay together before the group splits tomorrow due to limited Zoo lodges. 

Stay: The Oxley Motel

DAY 3 - DUBBO & TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO     (BLD)

Wednesday 14th October:  After breakfast we visit Old Dubbo Gaol, a remarkably intact site where guides bring prison history to life. We then tour Dundullimal, a National Trust property built in the 1840s. Its timber slab homestead, T-shaped plan, cedar joinery, stone stables, stockyards, and garden remnants make it a fascinating stop. Lunch follows at Dubbo RSL Club before our first “zoo group” stays overnight at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Covering 300 hectares, it is one of the world’s largest, with animals roaming in natural habitats. Zoofari Lodges accommodate only half our group, so we split. Those staying enjoy a guided walking tour, dinner, breakfast, and the rare experience of sleeping beside the savannah. The other half visits the Western Plains Cultural Centre, home to the city’s gallery and museum, where a behind-the-scenes tour offers access to artefacts and insights into Dubbo’s past.   

Stay: The Oxley Motel & Zoofari Western Plains Zoo

DAY 4 - DUBBO & TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO    (BD)

Thursday 15th October:  Our first “zoo group” enjoys an African-inspired breakfast before re-joining the tour. With everyone onboard, we take a drive around the zoo with a guide and time to explore the daily program. Lunch is at own cost—why not purchase at the zoo? The second group then stays on for their unique overnight. Those who stayed at Zoofari last night instead visit the Western Plains Cultural Centre, home to the city’s gallery and museum. A behind-the-scenes tour offers access to artefacts and insights into Dubbo’s past before we regroup at the motel for the evening. 

Stay: The Oxley Motel & Zoofari Western Plains Zoo

DAY 5 - DUBBO to ARMIDALE    (BLD)

Friday 16th October:  After our memorable Dubbo stay, we farewell our hosts and travel on. In Tamworth we stop for lunch at the Longyard Hotel before arriving at Saumarez Homestead for a guided tour. This rural property remains much as it was when families made it almost self-sufficient. We continue to Armidale to settle in for the night. 

Stay: Cotswold Gardens

DAY 6 - ARMIDALE to TOOWOOMBA     (BLD)

Saturday 17th October:  We travel north through sheep and cattle country, pausing in Glen Innes. In Warwick we stop for lunch at the RSL Services and Citizens Memorial Club, then continue to Ballandean Estate, Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery. Run by the Puglisi family for over 80 years, it offers a tasting among rustic barrels with views of rolling hills. We finish the day in Toowoomba, with time to refresh before dinner. 

Stay: Platinum International

DAY 7 - TOOWOOMBA to HOME     (B)

Sunday 18th October:  After checkout we begin our journey home, stopping at the Workshops Rail Museum. Once employing over 3,000, it now offers an interactive look at the birthplace of Queensland’s Railways—an engaging finale to our trip. We arrive home later today with lasting memories from this unique 7 day holiday with friends.

* All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times / days and public holidays of some attractions.  We cannot be held responsible for changes due to closures or inclement weather.