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You're welcome to drop in on me if I'm home - the Expo in Sydney is the 27th, but I should be home the next day.
In fact, I can supply a patch of ground with no facilities if you care to camp here rather than in a caravan park - about 60km out of Dubbo, 18km off the bitumen.
John
Thanks JD....will keep that in mind, you mean to say you have no facilities at all....................Quote:
Originally Posted by JDNSW
What do you need more than a bit of flat ground complete with resident wildlife (mainly macropods)?Quote:
Originally Posted by weeds
John
Weeds we stayed at the Big4 last month. Good, clean and secure. As to close, best one unless you stay at the park ($$$$).
As for Dubbo, make sure you lock everything away and hide anything valuable. We didn't have any problems, but met at least 6 other travellers who had, were also warned at the tourism centre and by the van park staff.
Apart from that Dubbo's not a bad place if you like watching people spit in the streets every few paces. I'm not kidding, we couldn't believe walking down town what they were like, spit, spit , spit...:(
We went down there September last year and stayed at Wellington Caves Caravan Park. Its 40 minutes out of Dubbo but it was worth it for piece of mind. The guided tour we took to see the Cathedral Cave was also worth it and it was right behind the park office. We also went to Dubbo Gaol. The kids loved it.
Jodie
Weeds,
We stayed at that big 4 about 2-3 years ago, I'd agree with the others, clean, and as close to the Zoo as you can get. As the others have said - make sure you lock everything up. The night we stayed there - someone jumped that park fence at night and stole a wallet and some stuff from a defender parked near us.
(I didn't have the heart to point out the the bloke leaving your wallet in the car's not so smart... it ruined their holiday :()
One thing we did at the Zoo that my kids loved was was an early morning walk (http://www.taronga.org.au/western-plains-zoo/plan-your-visit/tours--activities/morning-walks.aspx)
We went around the zoo before it was open to the public as many of the animals were being fed, we accessed a few of the back areas away from general access, the guide was knowledgeable and the kids just loved hand feeding the giraffes.
Not sure what age your boys are - but my two were about 8 and 9 at the time - and still talk about that trip.
Well worth it - and really not very expensive.
Have fun!...
Mark
You will have a great time ... haven't been there for years but it used to be a good Zoo. If you get time, take the kids to Dubbo Goal, it's worth a look. Can't remember caravan parks though, probably Dubbo would have one but wouldn't have a clue on the details :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by weeds
I will second the visit to Wellington Caves and Dubbo gaol. But plan on allowing the best part of two days at the zoo! The gaol you can do in a couple of hours and the Wellington caves from a couple of hours to half a day - there are three tours available, each taking about an hour and covering different caves - see the Wellington website for times etc. Note that for the phosphate mine, closed footwear is mandatory, and for any of them you probably don't want to wear your best shoes!
While there, take some time to look at the Japanese gardens over the road from the caves and caravan park. During the last school holidays I visited there with my grandchildren - the reaction of the 10yo, who had not seen the gardens before was "Oh, it beautiful!".
John
thanks again guys....lots of good info
righto, i'm all sorted
sun 27 depart brisbane, drop in on friends at boonah and travel the back roads over the border ranges and bush camp somewhere between brisbane and dubbo
mon 28 arrive at dubbo, book in to the big 4 for three night
tues 29 dubbo zoo
wed 30 dubbo zoo
thurs 1 dubbo jail, wellington caves then onto johns 'JDNSW' place, john has saved his best campsite for us
fri 2nd head back to brisbane, free camp over night
sat 3rd back in brisbane
sun 4th repack car for fraser island