01. NRMA Dubbo Holiday Park
4.1 (1237 reviews)
NRMA Dubbo Holiday Park — Central West
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Best for
Families, wildlife & road trips
Price range
$140–$300/night
Vibe
Open plains & big skies
Getting there
~4 hrs from Sydney
Start with Dubbo below.
Big-Sky Country on the Macquarie
Dubbo anchors the Central West — a genuine regional city with full services, set on the Macquarie River and built around the open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It’s the natural base for a family wildlife trip and the launch point for the Outback, the Warrumbungles’ dark skies, and Mudgee’s wine country.
How to Plan a Central West Trip
Dubbo is the obvious base — full services, an easy four-hour run from Sydney, and the open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo as the headline. Give the zoo most of a day (an early start beats the heat and catches the animals at their most active), then spread the river, Old Dubbo Gaol and the surrounding country across a second day.
It’s one of regional NSW’s most family-friendly destinations — flat, well-serviced and built for kids — but it also makes a natural launch pad for the Warrumbungles’ dark skies and Mudgee’s wine country if you have longer.
Where to Stay
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03. Green Gables Motel
4 (207 reviews)
Green Gables Motel — Central West
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Central West NSW?
Inland NSW, around Dubbo on the Macquarie River — about 4 to 4.5 hours north-west of Sydney, at the edge of the Outback.
What’s the main draw?
Dubbo’s open-range Taronga Western Plains Zoo, plus the river, Old Dubbo Gaol and big-sky country.
Is it good for families?
Yes — it’s one of regional NSW’s best family destinations thanks to the zoo and easy logistics.
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