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Zoo Adventures Dubbo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo holiday program

Zoo Adventures Dubbo

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo holiday program

A wild school holiday program!

Our Dubbo Zoo Adventures program is a fun, educational holiday program for children aged between 5 and 12 years, where young aspiring Keepers and conservationists are taken on an exciting journey, learning about animals and the environments they live in.

On this page

Important update

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is committed to keeping our guests, staff and animals safe, so the difficult but responsible decision has been made to cancel Zoo Adventures for the Winter Holidays.

Guests who had booked have been sent an email with further details on this cancellation, however, if you need to get in touch please email twpzeducation@zoo.nsw.gov.au or call 02 6881 1433.

Read more about the latest safety information for Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.

About the program

This unique school holiday program provides children with engaging experiences, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the zoo and the animals that live here. 

Every Zoo Adventure includes:

  • Interactive animal encounters
  • Meet a Keeper experience
  • Explore the interactive playground
  • Daily Adventurers - experience new exciting challenges for a unique & thrilling Zoo Adventure
  • Professional, enthusiastic, fun loving staff to assist and enhance your Zoo Adventurers experience
 

What to bring

Adventurers should bring a packed lunch and snacks for the day, as well as a refillable water bottle. And to be prepared for all weather, we also suggest you bring a hat, sunscreen and wet weather gear, just in case.

NOTE: the Zoo Adventures safety t-shirt and/or vest must be worn during the visit, to help our staff identify children in a busy environment.

Booking conditions

Expand to read the full booking conditions

I understand, agree and accept as the parent/guardian of the child/children booked on the program that Zoo Adventures Program:

  • Requires a moderate level of fitness and good mobility
  • Is for children attending primary school, aged between five to 12 years of age
  • Is an all-weather experience and will ordinarily proceed in the event of inclement weather
  • May include entering an environment housing animals which involves a degree of unpredictability and therefore risk of injury occurring
  • Is at my own risk and without any liability attached to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, including any injury to the child/children or damage to their property
  • Requires the child/children to take direction from Zoo Adventures Hosts regarding photographs and video taken on any device, and understand that some photos may be restricted from social media platforms
  • Requires the child/children to take direction from Zoo Adventures Hosts to comply with Taronga’s COVID-19 Safety Plan
  • Must not be attended by a child/children if they feel unwell or have flu like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath) and acknowledge that they will be excluded from the program and Taronga Zoo if they attend when unwell or with flu like symptoms
  • Bookings are non-refundable but can be rescheduled or transferred in exceptional circumstances and at the discretcon of Taronga
  • Program activities and schedules are subject to change without notice
  • Taronga reserves the right to cancel community education programs at any time to remain COVID Safe, or due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters or in the event of severe weather. In the unlikely event that this situation occurs, Taronga will contact me as soon as practicable to notify me and reschedule my booking
  • Taronga cannot guarantee a nut-free environment (please contact us for further information)

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a booking for Zoo Adventures - Lil Keeperz?

Bookings will open approximately 2 weeks before the school holiday period. Once bookings are open, available dates and themes as well as the appropriate booking form will be made available on this page.

To make a booking:

  1. Choose a date that suits your Little Keeper
  2. Fill out the form and email to tharrison@zoo.nsw.gov.au

 
Successful applicants will be e-mailed a confirmation of their place as soon as possible. 

Please be patient and do not send multiple copies of your form as this can lead to errors in the booking process. Our booking system isn't automated, and as an extremely popular program with a high volume of applications it can take us approximately a week to confirm your spot. 

 

What if I have a friend who wants to attend on the same day?

Due to health and safety reasons and to ensure your child has the best time possible, numbers are strictly limited.

The best way for us to guarantee the friend and child will be attending the same day is to submit a booking form with both children's names on the same form. This way they will be processed at the same time and have a greater chance of being accepted together.

There is space on the booking form for up to four children. If you have more names please fill out a second booking form and submit these together.

 

What if the day I want is booked out?

We're sorry but unfortunately if a date is booked out, we are unable to admit any other children due to strict Work Health and Safety reasons. We'll always get in touch to offer you another date if available. 
 
We will update this page regularly to inform you as soon as possible if a date is filling up or booked out.

 

Can I come in with the kids on the day?

Sorry, 5-12 year olds only!
 
Parents are welcome to visit the Zoo but you'll need to buy a ticket to enter. Please note while you may occasionally see the kids when they're out in Zoo grounds, you won't be able to follow them during the program, as they will be visiting restricted behind the scenes areas. This is also a matter of child safety. 
 
Other options for parents while the kids attend Zoo Adventures Little Keepers are to visit the local shops and cafes.

 

Are the kids guaranteed a set animal experience on the day?

Unfortunately we are unable to guarantee any set animal, Meet a Keeper experiences or themed activities on any given day.

Due to the ever-changing nature of the Zoo environment it is sometimes necessary to make last minute changes without warning.

The above itinerary is maintained as rigorously as possible but is subject to change without notice. Taronga assumes no liability for changes without notice.

 

Have another question?

Email the team at tharrison@zoo.nsw.gov.au and we will endeavour to answer!

 

We proudly Acknowledge the Cammeraigal (Taronga Zoo, Sydney) and Wiradjuri (Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo) people, their Country, spirit and traditions as customary owners of the lands upon which our Zoos stand.