03/07/2025
A bold new chapter has begun in Dubbo NSW, with construction now underway on the most ambitious development in Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s history: the Serengeti Resort.
🌾 Set across 55 hectares of expansive grasslands, the Serengeti Resort will offer an immersive experience like no other, blending family-friendly accommodation with breathtaking views of roaming African wildlife. The resort will feature a central hub with a function and events centre, café restaurant, and infinity-edge pool, surrounded by diverse accommodation options. It will also unlock a previously unused area of the Zoo, five times the size of the current African Savannah habitat.
🦒 The Serengeti Resort will transform Taronga Western Plains Zoo into a multi-day proposition, increasing the length and expenditure of visitor stays and bolstering the Dubbo Visitor Economy. With its scale, ambition and family-focused design, the development is set to cement Taronga Western Plains Zoo as a must-do holiday destination for every Australian family.
The development has received a $20 million investment from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – made possible through a partnership between Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Dubbo Regional Council – with a co-contribution from Taronga. It is expected to deliver significant economic and tourism benefits to the Dubbo region, with the creation of 70 construction jobs and 28 ongoing roles at the Zoo once operational.
Over the next 20 years, the Serengeti Resort is projected to attract over 813,000 overnight guests, injecting an estimated $391 million into the local visitor economy.
Construction milestones are already underway, with civil works including stormwater and road base layers commencing earlier this year. Building works have now started in earnest, led by MAAS DPC. The first stage includes the resort hub and 20 two-bedroom suites overlooking the Serengeti Plains. In the coming months the resort will start to take shape with pier drilling, concrete slab pours, pool excavation and the construction of a prototype suite.
The Serengeti Resort will be a game changer for tourism in regional NSW. Designed with families in mind, it brings the beauty and excitement of an African safari to our own backyard, right here in Dubbo. This is more than just a place to stay; it’s an unforgettable experience that blends Taronga’s world-class wildlife expertise with the warmth of regional hospitality.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo currently welcomes around 300,000 guests annually, with 40,000 staying overnight in one of its three award-winning accommodation offerings. Set to open in the second half of 2026, the Serengeti Resort will build on this legacy, offering a new level of family comfort and connection with wildlife and conservation.
