Overnight stays are poised to more than double at the Dubbo zoo from late next year. Photo: Sebastian Ashton/Unsplash
The Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW, is poised to more than double its number of overnight visitor stays thanks to a new resort now taking shape.
Set amid 55 hectares of grasslands, the Serengeti Resort is located in a previously unused area of the nearly 300ha site and will be five times the size of the current zoo’s African Savannah habitat, the NSW Government says.
The Urban Developer website report last year said the facility would feature a 300-seat functions centre, a 170-seat café, 20 cabins featuring 10 single-level pods, and a swimming pool.
Government says the Dubbo zoo hosts 300,000 visitors a year with 40,000 overnight stays in either a lodge, cabin or camp.
The new resort, it says, will more than double those number of stays “offering a new level of connection with wildlife and conservation”.
The government believes the new resort will inject an estimated $391 million into the town’s tourism economy over 20 years.
Government has given $20m for the project, in conjunction with Dubbo Regional Council, with a co-contribution from Taronga.
FULL OF PRAISE
Taronga chief executive Cam Kerr describes the new resort as a “game changer” for the zoo and for regional NSW tourism.
“Designed with families in mind, it brings the beauty and excitement of an African safari to our own backyard, right here in Dubbo,” he says.
“It will firmly cement Dubbo as a must-do holiday destination for every Australian family.”
Climate Change Minister Penny Sharpe says Taronga does “incredibly important work in wildlife conservation”.
“Nationally and internationally, they are renowned for their breeding programs, research facilities and animal hospitals,” she says.
“This new facility will help visitors connect with nature in a whole new way while boosting revenue for the zoo and the local economy.”
Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty says it is “fantastic to see construction well under way with building works started”.
Construction work will comprise of pier drilling, concrete slab pours, pool excavation and the construction of a prototype suite.
The project is expected to create about 70 construction jobs and 28 permanent roles once the resort opens in late 2026.
