Trip to Dubbo Zoo later in year

[dobbo]

Anyone interested in a weekend at Western Plains Zoo later on around October to November. I dont know about offroad tracks around there but my kiddies want to go on Safari in the Land Rover and I simply cannot afford a trip for 5 to South Afrika (yes Ron I meant to spell it like that)
They offer a overnight camping option which could be nice

[Yabbie]

Even cheaper if you set up camp in the tiger enclosure :)

[dobbo]

Even cheaper if you set up camp in the tiger enclosure :)

You can test out a roof top tent see if it really repels lions

[p38arover]

I simply cannot afford a trip for 5 to South Afrika (yes Ron I meant to spell it like that)

I knew that! :)

Ron

[JDNSW]

You are invited to visit (assuming I'm not away - set date early!), 60km from Dubbo. I can give some "interesting" track to get here (20km from bitumen, but can make it longer via the Goonoo community conservation area) and if anyone wants to camp overnight (no facilities) that can be arranged.
John

[dobbo]

Greatly appreciated John, I forgot you lived near there.

[crump]

the overnight stay thingy is well worthwhile, you get a bit of behind the scenes stuff and the big cats are on the move, not just lazing around.

[Andrewpv01]

It's a big place so you probably need 2 days to see neverything properly

Andrew

[JDNSW]

It's a big place so you probably need 2 days to see neverything properly

Andrew

Yes, I'll second that.
John

[DiscoDave]

So for a couple of days it will become Dobbo Zoo? :p

[loanrangie]

That is a damn good idea, can you drive your own vehicle thru ? I have spent 6 months in Africa but my little girl and wife would love it. I just checked the website and children under 5 are not allowed, bugger mine is 3 :(

[dobbo]

That is a damn good idea, can you drive your own vehicle thru ? I have spent 6 months in Africa but my little girl and wife would love it. I just checked the website and children under 5 are not allowed, bugger mine is 3 :(

The zoo only have an age restriction for the Roar and Snore Sleepover. Your right though that would be an awesome experience. I am in the same boat as 2/3 of my kiddies are below 5. I suppose they dont want the Big cats going crazy over the smell of a dirty nappie and attacking campsites or worse. You can still go to the zoo and camp at another location (cheaper option). I am almost positive you can drive around the zoo in your own vehicle but obviously you have to stay on the tracks. The only restriction regarding Land Rovers that I can see is that Defenders are not allowed to stalk the Lions Tickets are for two days and will cost around $100.00 entry for a family of 5. Two adults two kids are $84.00

[JDNSW]

The zoo only have an age restriction for the Roar and Snore Sleepover. Your right though that would be an awesome experience. I am in the same boat as 2/3 of my kiddies are below 5. I suppose they dont want the Big cats going crazy over the smell of a dirty nappie and attacking campsites or worse. You can still go to the zoo and camp at another location (cheaper option). I am almost positive you can drive around the zoo in your own vehicle but obviously you have to stay on the tracks. The only restriction regarding Land Rovers that I can see is that Defenders are not allowed to stalk the Lions Tickets are for two days and will cost around $100.00 entry for a family of 5. Two adults two kids are $84.00

Yes, you normally drive round the zoo in your own vehicle (you can hire an electric car or bicycles - or even walk, but it is a long way!), and as you say, you have to stick to the tracks. With a very few exceptions you are separated from the animals by a fence or moat or both, but much of the zoo is landscaped so that you cannot see these without really looking - it looks as if you are in the same paddock as the animals in many cases. There is a "petting zoo" I think where children can have actual contact with selected animals. Not lions or tigers
though - on one occasion a few years back a ten year old managed to get through the first fence and pat a tiger through the second fence - I think they saved the arm, and procedures have been improved since.
Note that by the proposed time it will probably be getting quite warm during the day, although it will probably still get cold at night.
John

[Ralph1Malph]

Hi,
I am interested in doing trip from Melb, mostly for the Zoo, not so much 4wd as I am on LPG so range is limited and wife deosn't want me to dent the disco as it's our only wheels (for the moment).:(
As I am lazy, could someone in the know estimate the cost of the dubbo bit of the trip and explain in a bit more detail what we are talking about 'sleeping with the tigers':eek:
Travelling with kiddies and wife is bl****y expensive so all accom options explored.

Regards
Ralph

[hiline]

tigers and lions you say :D :D :D


i have 4 kids and a grumpy wife that might like to sleep with them ;)


so where is this place ????

[dobbo]

tigers and lions you say :D :D :D


i have 4 kids and a grumpy wife that might like to sleep with them ;)


so where is this place ????


Hiline: Dubbo, NSW

Ralph: I have 2 of my Kids under 5 so we'd camp off the zoo property. Plus the cost and activites involved in the Roar and Tour would cut into night time entertainment of beer, campfire n crap talk. For me and mine the Roar and Tour is out this year anyway I'll paste a link for the zoo and we can democratically discuss all accomodation options with anyone interested. Personally I feel the cheaper the better, I've been toying with the idea of a roof top tent, this trip will give me the opportunity to hire one and have the family try it out and see if we like it.

Camping grounds
http://www.camping.com.au/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=camping_search

This one has camping prices
http://www.dubbotourism.com.au/bwWebsite/followon.asp?PageID=2207

Zoo link
http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/content/view.asp?id=40

[George130]

Dobbo you did better than I did. I didn't find Accomodation prices yet as one of mine is under 5. My wife will want access to toilets as a minimum so we would be looking at a van or similar.

[dobbo]

Dobbo you did better than I did. I didn't find Accomodation prices yet as one of mine is under 5. My wife will want access to toilets as a minimum so we would be looking at a van or similar.

Likewise they are caravan parks so the ammenities would be there

[hiline]

sounds good :D :D

but dont know if you lot could handle me and my 4 kids :eek:

never mind the grumpy wife :wasntme:


it will all depend on times with the kids school and work commitments for me

see what happens when its closer

[dobbo]

sounds good :D :D

but dont know if you lot could handle me and my 4 kids :eek:

never mind the grumpy wife :wasntme:


it will all depend on times with the kids school and work commitments for me

see what happens when its closer

If there to much we'll just share the drink with them. That way the kids will sleep and the wife wont be as grumpy:)


So what dates suit everyone? The ideal would be get there Friday night Sat, sun at zoo home monday morning problem is school, work etc. Anyone know when school hols start this year? Terms 3 - 4 and end of year.

[DirtyDawg]

That is a damn good idea, can you drive your own vehicle thru ? I have spent 6 months in Africa but my little girl and wife would love it. I just checked the website and children under 5 are not allowed, bugger mine is 3 :(

Is it because under 5 they worry the big cat may choke on em , you know what I mean like bite size finger food (Disclaimer :my apologies to anyone on this forum who has recently or ever lost a toddler to a big African Cat whilst in a safari park)

Dobbo in dubbo I sense a pattern in this:D cryptic or a start to a potential tongue twister to which we must all add to, I will start

' Is Dobbo in Dubbo

[JDNSW]

Is it because under 5 they worry the big cat may choke on em , you know what I mean like bite size finger food (Disclaimer :my apologies to anyone on this forum who has recently or ever lost a toddler to a big African Cat whilst in a safari park)

Dobbo in dubbo I sense a pattern in this:D cryptic or a start to a potential tongue twister to which we must all add to, I will start

' Is Dobbo in Dubbo

Actually I suspect it may be because they worry that the younger ones may keep the animals awake. Thinking of my oldest grand daughter when she was under five, I can see the point!
John

[Yabbie]

For those who are Short of ways to spend their hard earned $$$

http://www.zoofari.com.au/

Camping the way the Mrs's would like you too!!
Just don't let her see it before you see the prices......BIG $$$$$$$$$$

[Yabbie]

http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/content/view.asp?id=62


Fees and charges.

** Please Note: The standard entry to Western Plains Zoo is a 2-day pass (consecutive days only).**

[Ace]

Hi Dobbo stacey, mum and my sister are planning a trip there in the next NSW School hols which is at the beginning of october, i think they are planning on going during the week as my mum is a teacher aswell and stacey wont need to miss work that way but will find out and get back to you. Have any dates been proposed yet cause the next Ace's BBQ is on over the long weekend, would late october be a go for the Zoo or is november better? matt

[dobbo]

Hi Dobbo stacey, mum and my sister are planning a trip there in the next NSW School hols which is at the beginning of october, i think they are planning on going during the week as my mum is a teacher aswell and stacey wont need to miss work that way but will find out and get back to you. Have any dates been proposed yet cause the next Ace's BBQ is on over the long weekend, would late october be a go for the Zoo or is november better? matt

Haven't set a date as yet

So you can tell us all when

[Ace]

Haven't set a date as yet

So you can tell us all when

Mate its your idea im not taking over, you can set the date, was just reminding you of the Long Weekend, besides the Zoo would be packed on the long weekend.

It looks like we are going during the week either in the 1st or 2nd week of the hols so stacey doesnt miss work, looks like i wont be coming with you guys :( I know i would rather travel around the zoo with a group of land rovers rather than a group of women. :mad:

Matt

[dobbo]

Mate its your idea im not taking over, you can set the date, was just reminding you of the Long Weekend, besides the Zoo would be packed on the long weekend.

It looks like we are going during the week either in the 1st or 2nd week of the hols so stacey doesnt miss work, looks like i wont be coming with you guys :( I know i would rather travel around the zoo with a group of land rovers rather than a group of women. :mad:

Matt

So what date do the end of year hols start then?

[Ace]

So what date do the end of year hols start then?

I am talking about the october hols they start at the end of september and finish on the 8th of october i think. Basically one week either side of the next BBQ. Matt

[dobbo]

This is just the idea pool at the moment so no dates have been set. I thought a weekend would be a good idea but looking into the distances required to travel (for some interested parties) and the fact it'll take two whole days to get around everything perhaps it'd be better of for the first week of the summer holidays. That way everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. When the dates are set then we'll transpose the thread into the upcoming event forum.

[dullbird]

funny we are actually planning to go to dubbo zoo in november as my mum and two neices are visiting from the uk and we were going to take them there as we had heard that it is reallygood

[Ace]

This is just the idea pool at the moment so no dates have been set. I thought a weekend would be a good idea but looking into the distances required to travel (for some interested parties) and the fact it'll take two whole days to get around everything perhaps it'd be better of for the first week of the summer holidays. That way everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. When the dates are set then we'll transpose the thread into the upcoming event forum.

From sydney it would be a 5hr drive. Best way is to come to lithgow and then to mudgee, then towards gulgong, turn left half way to gulgong towards wellington and then follow the signs to dubbo. I had a conference there earlier in the year (stacey and marcos went to the bloody zoo whilst i was in the conference) it was heaps quicker going via mudgee rather than via bathurst, orange wellington. Matt

[FenianEel]

Could be a goer from Brissy for this.
If it's the long w'end we'll be in Sydney watching the EELS will the grand final though!

[Ace]

Could be a goer from Brissy for this.
If it's the long w'end we'll be in Sydney watching the EELS will the grand final though!

I think the plan is late october early november, or even the xmas hols FE, but if you were down over the long weekend for the GF come over to lithgow and have a few beers and get some 4wding in with us NSW members at the 9th Ace's BBQ. Matt

[George130]

Wife has voted the 3rd November. Once pople know what they prefer I guess we will be looking at our commitments.