Dubbo tourism: New developments to lure more overseas visitors

Work is underway on $13.5 million worth of tourism projects set to transform a regional city into a go-to destination for international travellers.

A game-changing $13.5 million plan to give regional NSW a greater slice of the international tourism pie is gaining momentum, with construction soon set to commence on major developments that will transform Dubbo into a global visitor hub.

Dubbed ‘Destination Dubbo’, the plan will see a first-of-its-kind Aboriginal tourism centre constructed, along with a major event precinct along the Macquarie River and a heritage plaza to better showcase the iconic Old Dubbo Gaol in the city’s CBD.

How the Old Dubbo Gaol Heritage Plaza will look. Picture: Barnson

The NSW Government has spearheaded the plan with an $11 million investment, while Dubbo Regional Council will chip in $2.5 million to bring the developments to life.

Council’s culture and economy director Natasha Comber said the unprecedented plan had been designed to help Dubbo become the number one inland tourism destination in NSW for domestic and international travellers.

An artists impression of how the Macquarie River event foreshore precinct could look at night in Dubbo. Picture: lahznimmo architects

She said the plan was shaped by research undertaken by council, which identified an opportunity for Dubbo to better leverage off the popularity of the world renowned Taronga Western Plains Zoo by creating new offerings for tourists.

“The research found we needed more facilities to increase the numbers of nights domestic visitors would stay in Dubbo and also capture the attention of the international tourism market,” Ms Comber said.

“We want international tourists to stay in NSW and come out here from Sydney, instead of leaving and going up to the Gold Coast or somewhere else.

“Building quality products is key to attracting that international market. Tourists and specifically international tourists are looking for quality authentic experiences. They want to connect with communities, they want to hear stories and immerse themselves in those experiences and they’re the needs we’re meeting with these projects.”

How the new Wiradjuri Tourism Centre in Dubbo could look. Picture: Peter Stutchbury Architecture /Dubbo Regional Council

Ms Comber said work on the design of three developments which make up the Destination Dubbo plan had been undertaken alongside community members, particularly Aboriginal residents who formed part of a working group established to the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre component.

“There are a low number of Indigenous tourism offerings around Australia.

“We’re working closely with community to help them share their culture, their stories and experiences from the past and in the present.

“The vision with the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre is that the centre will become an activation hub for Indigenous based tourism businesses that could undertake tours, do performances, conduct business or provide art works and the like.”

An artists impression of how the Macquarie River event foreshore precinct could look in Dubbo. Picture: lahznimmo architects

The Macquarie River event foreshore precinct component of Destination Dubbo would give the city access to more local and visiting performances or events for crowds of up to 5,000, Ms Comber said.

“Similarly, with the heritage plaza, we’re obviously going to have tourists there to visit the jail but it will also be a green space within our CBD where workers can have their lunch, but we can also have weekend markets and things like that,” she said.

The plaza, which will be located at the site of a soon to be demolished old National Parks building in Dubbo’s main street, will also be home to the largest first nations public art project in regional NSW which is being designed by Dr Bianca Beetson a proud Kubbi Kubbi, Wiradjuri artist.

Very excited to help announce the chosen artist for the Destination Dubbo – International Ready Kinetic Artwork! Dubbo Regional Council Telstra UAP Urban Art Projects #publicart #kineticart #destinationdubbo

Posted by Dugald Saunders MP on Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Ms Comber said the Destination Dubbo plan was expected to inject an additional $20 million into the regional NSW economy.

“Prior to Covid the region was welcoming around 11,000 international tourists so there is plenty of opportunity to grow this market,” she said.

By 2030 the Destination Dubbo project is expected to contribute an additional $20 million annually to the NSW regional economy.

“Following the pandemic, it’s going to be open for business and we’re going to see those people come in,” Ms Comber said.

Local accommodation providers hit by Covid border closures are among the businesses excited about the expected boost to the region the Destination Dubbo plan will bring.

Blue Gum motel owners Amanda and Robert Zatta say the Destination Dubbo plan is a winner. Picture: Ryan Young

Blue Gum motel owners Rob and Amanda Zatta said while most of their leisure visitors came to Dubbo to see Taronga Western Plains Zoo, many had considered staying longer once they were made aware of what other tourism offerings were in the region.

“When people check-in that we know are leisure travellers we do spend a lot of time with them to let them know there are other things to do while they’re here in Dubbo besides the Zoo,” Mrs Zatta said.

“A lot of people think that’s all there is.

“When we tell people about the relaunch of the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience, people are blown away. In fact a few people said it’s been their favourite thing to do while in Dubbo and they didn’t even know about it.”

Of the Destination Dubbo developments it’s the Wiradjuri Tourism Centre and Macquarie River event foreshore precinct that excites them the most and Mr and Mrs Zatta said they were confident the plan would attract more people to regional NSW and keep them visiting for longer.