Have you given any thought to where you might go in the next school holidays? Yes Australian Beach Dwellers, it's only a few short weeks away.
Winter is a fantastic time to visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. They didn't coin that fabulous song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" for nothing. During Winter, the animals are much more active during the day, so there is lots to see and do at this time of year.
There are animal feeding schedules, which you can view and where you can hear a talk about the animals.
It's a great temperature to work up a sweat on your bike. You can hire one if you don't want to take your own.
And there are some fabulous accommodation options, so you can stay overnight at the zoo to enjoy the fabulous night time animal encounters program. There is the beautifully appointed Zoofari Lodge.
![]() |
Zoofari Main House Living Room |
The Zoofari Main House Dining Room
A Zoofari Lodge Guest room
The fire pit
There is also a brand new camping option at the Billabong Camp, which consists of 25 permanent campsites situated around a picturesque billabong in the zoo's Australian wildlife area. How much fun would the kids have charging around there with some new friends? Staying in the camp has a range of inclusions over and above the accommodation. There is a light refreshment upon arrival, dinner, super and a buffet breakfast, two days admission to the zoo and an exciting range of animal encounters and guided tours where you will see Australian and Asian animals. The tariff also includes a 10% discount at the Zoo shop, Bakhita's Cafe and any further Animal Encounters you book.
My four year old is in love with animals and says she is going to be a vet, so looking at these gorgeous animals up close, was so exciting for her.
There were loads of families travelling by bike or you can drive your car, walk or hire a vehicle similar to a golf cart. It is very safe with the maximum vehicle speed limit at 10km
There are various cafe outlets throughout the zoo
and plenty of spots to have your picnic.
But the absolute highlight for me was these cheeky monkeys. Mum, Dad and a baby Siamang
Boy did they put on a show.
They can expand their throats like this and the make the loudest noise. We were just lucky to be there when they did it.
And this little baby was just the cutest little darling and we were very lucky to see him and all the love his parents gave him.
Since our trip to Taronga Western Plains Zoo a month ago, a white baby rhino has been born and is now on show to visitors. There is always something new to see......animals being animals and all.
![]() |
We were a month too soon, so this is not the baby |
This was one cool dude
And I'd like to know this guy's secret. About 130 years old and still going strong. I'd like to know what is in the water on the Galapagos Islands, that make these beautiful turtles enjoy such longevity.
If you are looking for a fabulous way to entertain the kids for a couple of days in the next school holidays think about a trip out to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. We also went to the Old Dubbo Gaol, which was fabulous, so there is plenty to see and do on a mini break to the Mid West.
Today I am giving away a family pass to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. It is for entry to the zoo for 2 adults and 2 children.
To validate your entry here's what you need to do
Follow Desire Empire on one or more of the following platforms:
Google Friends Connect (over in my side bar)
Leave a separate comment for each follow, even if you have for some time.
Sharing this to each of your social media platforms or giving it a Google + will constitute another entry. Leave me a separate comment for each share.
And good luck
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all of you who entered. The winner is Rachel Kriss-Newell. Congratulations Rachel. I shall be in touch with details shortly.
Giveaway Terms and Conditions
You MUST enter the giveaway on this BLOG by leaving a comment here. You do not need to have a Blogger account. Just sign in as anonymous and leave an email address.
This competition is open to anyone. It is up to the winner to provide their own transport to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. And their own accommodation, whilst there.
The prize is a family pass to Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, for 2 adults and 2 children. It is for zoo entry only, for one day and is valid for use up to 12 months from the date of the ticket's issue.
The prize is a family pass to Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, for 2 adults and 2 children. It is for zoo entry only, for one day and is valid for use up to 12 months from the date of the ticket's issue.
This competition is open from now until 11 June 2013 12pm Australian EST.
The winner will be announced on this blog, Face Book and Twitter and I will contact you, as long as you have left a valid means. The winner will have 7 days to respond, otherwise the prize will be redrawn.
Disclosure
Although I was not paid to write this post, I did receive a family pass to Taronga Western Plains Zoo free of charge.
Today I am linked up here
Essentially Jess
Transformation Thurday
With Some Grace
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Weekend Wrap Up
Sundae Scoop
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
The Great Aussie Giveaway
Transformation Thurday
With Some Grace
Feathered Nest Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Weekend Wrap Up
Sundae Scoop
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
The Great Aussie Giveaway

Followed on fb
ReplyDeleteLidya yulianti
Followed on Twitter
ReplyDeleteOhshinoh
I am a follower on twitter,#blurbman
ReplyDeletefollowed on Pinterest-love dee x
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a great time. we went there when our kids were young. i remember them loving the flying fox (in the playground) as well as all the animals. the monkeys are always so entertaining.
ReplyDeletex
That's a great giveaway. I love Western Plains but haven't been there for many years. Must go again. My father was instrumental in setting up Zoofari Lodge and I can't believe I've never stayed there. He went there with John Cleese! xx
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFollow on Facebook
ReplyDeleteFollow on Twitter (AngBoy74)
ReplyDeleteFollow on Instagram
ReplyDeleteFollow on Google +
ReplyDeleteFollow on Pinterest
ReplyDeleteShared on Google +
ReplyDeleteShared on Twitter
ReplyDeleteshared on FB
ReplyDeleteWould love to take my kids to the Western Plains Zoo again, we went three years ago but I think my kids were too young to appreciate it back then!
ReplyDeleteFollow on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteFollow on Facebook
ReplyDeleteTheresa
What a great comp Carolyn. Taking the kids to stay overnight at a zoo is on my sand bucket list! I went to a conference at Dubbo once, being at the zoo in the early morning and hearing all the animals waking up was magical! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite photo was of the cool dude in the shade. The second shot of the giraffe was great. Awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteWe've NEVER been here, which is just silly recently. Actually the twins haven't even been as far as the Blue Mountains - very slack. We'd LOVE to use it.
ReplyDeleteAm following on everything. We still sing 'Happy Birthday to you, you were born in a zoo, you look like a moneky... and you act like one too.' I've taught my kids all the important things in life.
ReplyDeleteLiked on FB
ReplyDeleteFollowed on Google +
ReplyDeleteFollowed on Pinterest
ReplyDeleteI can't make it to Sydney but what wonderful pictures. I'd love to stay overnight. I slept the night at the Perth Zoo with a whole class of kids. Best camp ever!
ReplyDeleteOh how I enjoyed your exceptional post today. Seeing all your wonderful pics of the animals and your family is great. Sure looks like an educational fun time to spend days at that zoo. Think your zoo has a famous zoo in San Diego, Ca beat, no accommodations for overnights there.
ReplyDeleteSan Diego zoo is part of a big park in San Diego called Balboa park which is huge. There's also Wild Animal Park east of San Diego outside a town called Escondido. It's also wonderful. We used to go to both when we lived in San Diego area. Your zoo reminds me very much of San Diego with all the gorgeous trees. They also have a childrens zoo. Been a long time since we went to San Diego zoo or Wild Animal Park. In Balboa Park they also had Globe theater where live performances were put on. The zoo, park are in middle of city, surrounded by houses, etc.
How I'd love to go to your wonderful zoo and see your country. Every time you show pictures I long to visit. I have such a curiosity of Australia, have for years. Wish I had pictures to show you of San Diego zoo. Will have to see if I can find any in our albums. Your kids are so cute,are they ever growing up, your little one is shooting up.
Have a lovely week.
We love the Western Plains ZOO.
ReplyDeleteAlways love the zoo! My youngest works at the zoo here in the summers as an EMT. Some days I'll head over just to wander with my camera in tow. Wish I could see yours!
ReplyDeletexo
Cathy
(who'd love to visit, but since it's a rather long hike...)
Follow you Google +
ReplyDeleteFollow on FB
ReplyDeleteFollow on Twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow you on facebook
ReplyDelete(rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)
I have shared your giveaway on facebook
ReplyDelete(rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)
Follow on Pinterest
ReplyDeleteRT - giveaway on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter (rl_mt)
ReplyDelete(rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)
I am connected with Google Friends Connect (rm.newell)
ReplyDelete(rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)
I follow you on Google+
ReplyDelete(rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)
I follow you on Pinterest
ReplyDelete(rm.newell@bigpond.com.au)
I follow you on facebook as Sharon Fawcett
ReplyDeletesharon 7999 at yahoo dot com
I have also shared your giveaway on facebook
ReplyDeletesharon 7999 at yahoo dot com
My first thank you for the article photos on this site.
ReplyDeletemy likes see it, however sorry I did not accidentally daydreaming here and I also did not know because what ...
hopefully can inspire many people. success always
We have memberships and go regularly to the zoo. The Siamangs are fabulous and put on a great show, my kids love them. I will happily share this, but I don't need to enter! X
ReplyDeleteSounds fantastic! I would love to take the kids there - following you via bloglovin'
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow you on facebook
ReplyDeleteNew follower on Facebook (contact@mybrownpaperpackages.com)
ReplyDeleteAnd twitter (contact@mybrownpaperpackages.com)
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing! Your photos are truly inspiring, this is something we just have to do!
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Twitter popeyes_girl_22 Thanks
ReplyDeleteLiked on FB thanks
ReplyDeleteFollow on Facebook
ReplyDeleteFollow on Facebook
ReplyDeleteFollowing on twitter
ReplyDelete@KazEdwards23
Follow on FB
ReplyDeleteFollow on Twitter
ReplyDelete(auntka5)
Follow on Pinterest
ReplyDelete(auntka5)
Tweeted!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/auntka5/status/340769731260854272
Following on FB
ReplyDeleteFollowing on twiter (@mummyhearts)
ReplyDeleteGogle +
ReplyDelete& Pinterest! Thanks for a great review and comp
ReplyDeleteI'm following you on facebook. My email is ltow3810@hotmail.com. Looks like you had a fab time at the zoo. I remember Mum taking my sister and I when we were young, we had a blast riding the bikes through mud!!
ReplyDeleteFollowing with interest on facebook and twitter.
ReplyDelete(MissJane41)
thanks
ReplyDeleteHave followed you on facebook
what a great prize- love your pics too. We went a few years ago and had a blast would love to go back again with the family.
ReplyDeleteFollowing on facebook
ReplyDeletealso following on pinterest
ReplyDelete..and instragram :)
ReplyDeleteHow good are those monkeys! Now I want to hear them. Gorgeous newsletter, as always x
ReplyDeleteI am following you on Facebok
ReplyDeleteI already follow you on twitter
ReplyDeleteI follow you on Google +
ReplyDeleteI am already a pinterest fan!
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on facebook (Justine Liane) and my email is cashy@y7mail.com
ReplyDeleteThis Zoo looks so good - will have to see if we can plan a visit out there sometime soon :)
ReplyDeleteFollow on Facebook.
Follow on twitter @newlifeonroad
ReplyDeleteFollowing on instagram
ReplyDeleteshared on twitter - https://twitter.com/NewLifeOnRoad/status/343220319101788160
ReplyDeleteFollow you on Pinterest - Lisa Wood
ReplyDeleteHey, I have followed you on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteliked facebook, thank you
ReplyDeleteGreat Pictures of beautiful animals, facebook liked.
ReplyDeleteliked on facebook. looks amazing
ReplyDeletenicrogla@bigpond.net.au
following on GFC
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Twitter
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Google +
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Pinterest
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome holiday for the whole family to enjoy - I love the idea of an Open Plain Zoo as opposed to a city one
ReplyDeleteshared on twitter https://twitter.com/mandachic/status/343596751191691264
ReplyDeleteFollowing on twitter as @CrazyChooker. Great giveaway. I would love to take my 2 sons there, looks like an awesome family adventure.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you on facebook. Dubbo Zoo is awesome I lived there back in 1998-1999 and used to visit everyday, I now have kids but haven't been back since they were little. Looking at your pics I want to go back soon...fundraising2012@bigpond.com
ReplyDeletefollowing you on facebook - Michelle Williams
ReplyDeletefollowing you on twitter - Awinnah
ReplyDeletefollowing you on instagram - @awinnah
ReplyDeletefollowing you on Google+ - Michelle Williams
ReplyDeletefollowing you on Pinterest - Michelle Williams (Awinnah)
ReplyDeletefollowing you on twitter
ReplyDelete