Dubbo Zoo Reveals Savannah Sleepover Plans

Rooms with views of giraffes and rhinoceros are among plans filed for a zoo in regional NSW.

A 300-seat function centre, 170-seat cafe, 20 cabins and a swimming pool are included in plans for the Dubbo zoo at Obley Road, Dubbo, about 400km north-west of Sydney filed by owners Taronga Conservation Society Australia.

Troppo Architects has designed the Serengeti Function Centre and accommodation plans. The proposed buildings would overlook a new 55ha open range exhibit on the 282ha property.

The new open range will be home to multiple species and is being funded with $20 million from the NSW Government Regional Tourism Activation Fund plus $10 million from Taronga.

The Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, opened in 1977.

The zoo has accommodation options on the site including the Zoofari Lodge, Savannah Cabins and glamping at Billabong Camp.

The proposed accommodation is described as 10 single-level pods arranged in a duplex configuration, creating 20 cabins that would be more high-end than current offerings.

Each suite would offer two bedrooms plus a separate lounge, kitchen and deck.

The Serengeti project has a capital investment value of $27 million with completion slated for late 2025.

Its planning application would be processed as a Crown development in a SP3 Tourist Zone.

▲ A render of the proposed cabin pods at the Dubbo zoo.

There have been a host of upgrades and associated projects at Dubbo Zoo over the years, including a $14.6-million wildlife hospital that opened in 2022. 

Unusual accommodation options could become part of the regional centre’s appeal with Contour3D planning a 3D-printed holiday park on a property opposite the zoo.

At Taronga Zoo Sydney, work is under way to upgrade the park’s sky safari by 2026 plus add a new wildlife hospital, reptile centre and platypus centre.

In South Australia, Monarto Safari Park filed plans this year to add glamping to its Wild Africa experience in January.

And back at Dubbo, MAAS Property filed plans to add a 14-storey mixed-use tower to the Bank Hotel in November, 2022.