{"id":246641,"date":"2022-10-27T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T21:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/?p=246641"},"modified":"2023-02-13T13:46:15","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T02:46:15","slug":"dubbo-zookeeper-insider-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/nsw\/central-west\/dubbo\/dubbo-zookeeper-insider-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Towns for 2022: Insider tips to the best of Dubbo"},"content":{"rendered":"
Bridget Kaitler wakes before dawn each day to start work at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. The zoo is one of the top reasons why you voted Dubbo no. 46 in the Top 50 Aussie Towns. Here, Kaitler shares her top tips for exploring the town.<\/h5>\n

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns. <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

I relocated from Melbourne<\/a> in 2015 to complete my Certificate III in Captive Animals and have worked as a zookeeper for the past six years<\/a>. I love my work. When I first arrived at the zoo, my favourite animal was the lion. That\u2019s since changed. Working on the conservation breeding programs has given me a greater appreciation for endangered animals such as the greater one-horned rhino, and our own greater bilby and the Tassie devil.<\/p>\n

\"Zookeeper

Zookeeper Bridget Kaitler at work. (Image: Taronga Western Plains Zoo)<\/p><\/div>\n

I love the way the Tassie devil growls. And I love how cute and charismatic they are. A highlight of working here is hearing the primates do their territorial calls in the early morning. And watching the herd animals moving in packs. It\u2019s an exciting place to work.<\/p>\n

I work in Division 2 at the zoo which is mainly the Aussie fauna, big cats and primates. My shift starts at 7am. I start the day with a coffee at The Waterhole<\/a>, which is near to the meerkat exhibit, which I have to rake out each day. If I\u2019m in town, The Harvest<\/a> is where I go to for coffee and breakfast. The Dahab Cafe<\/a> or Short Street Store<\/a> are where I go to for lunch.<\/p>\n

\"Meerkats

Grab a cup of coffee from the Waterhole near the meerkat exhibit. (Image: Taronga Western Plains Zoo)<\/p><\/div>\n

If I have friends visiting Dubbo<\/a> from out of town, I take them for a picnic along the Macquarie River or to the Warrumbungle National Park. The Shoyoen Japanese Garden is a nice place for a picnic, too.<\/p>\n

\"Shoyoen

Pause for a picnic in Shoyoen Japanese Garden.<\/p><\/div>\n

Being from Melbourne, I\u2019m an AFL fan so I go to the South Dubbo Tavern<\/a> to watch the footy when it\u2019s on. The Pastoral Hotel<\/a> or The Commercial Hotel<\/a> are great fun pubs, too. If I\u2019ve got a mate visiting from Melbourne, I take them to the Royal India Restobar<\/a>, which is a favourite with locals. It\u2019s fun. It\u2019s got a nice atmosphere. Lots of ornate wallpaper, Art Deco chandeliers. I\u2019d then steer them to the Monkey Bar<\/a>, Down The Lane<\/a>, or The Establishment Bar<\/a>, which is a sort of speakeasy. The Devil\u2019s Hollow Brewery<\/a> is another excellent spot for a beer. It\u2019s housed in a big shed in the industrial estate. It\u2019s got great pizza.<\/p>\n

\"Old

Visit the Old Dubbo Gaol. (Image: Destination NSW)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Old Dubbo Gaol<\/a> is also really cool. It\u2019s a great venue for pop-up events and festivals. Dubbo is halfway between Melbourne and Brisbane and the zoo gives road-trippers a great reason to stop.<\/a><\/p>\n

Living in Dubbo has been great. The people are so down-to-earth and friendly. I love it here.<\/p>\n

Explore more of Dubbo in our travel guide<\/a> or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.<\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bridget Kaitler wakes before dawn each day to start work at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. The zoo is one of the top reasons why you voted Dubbo no. 46 in the Top 50 Aussie Towns. Here, Kaitler shares her top tips for exploring the town. Find the complete list of the Top 50 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":246662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[882],"tags":[7007,4542,5500,5716,5515,7467,4539],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTop Towns for 2022: Insider tips to the best of Dubbo - Australian Traveller<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top Towns for 2022: Insider tips to the best of Dubbo - Australian Traveller\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Bridget Kaitler wakes before dawn each day to start work at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. 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