Taronga Western Plains Zoo Is Building A $12 Million Serengeti Resort

Still waiting to rack up enough leave to take that dream safari trip? Luckily, you no longer need to catch a long haul flight. Construction is underway at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo for its most ambitious project yet: a sprawling Serengeti Resort set to bring the African savannah to regional NSW.

Jump to:

• What Exactly Is The Serengeti Resort?
• What Can Visitors Expect From The Experience?
• Why It's A Game-Changer For Dubbo
• When Can You Stay?

What Exactly Is The Serengeti Resort?

The $12.1 million Serengeti Resort is set to turn 55 hectares of Dubbo grassland into something straight out of a nature doco—minus the jet lag and questionable safari hat.

Set across 55 hectares of open grassland, the new precinct will unlock a previously unused part of the zoo — and it’s no small upgrade. The Serengeti Resort will be five times the size of the current African habitat, creating space for free-roaming giraffes, rhinos, zebras and antelopes to wander the plains (and for your camera roll to go wild).

The development follows last year’s debut of a cutting-edge platypus refuge, signalling another major leap in the zoo’s ongoing push to expand both its conservation work and visitor experiences.

What Can Visitors Expect From The Experience?

The new resort will feature a central hub complete with a function and events centre, a café-restaurant, and a sparkling infinity-edge pool overlooking the roaming herds.

Surrounding the hub will be a collection of eco-accommodation options designed to immerse guests in the landscape, while keeping Taronga’s sustainability mission front and centre.

Already home to three award-winning stays (including bushland lodges and billabong campsites), the addition of the Serengeti Resort will more than double overnight stays, turning Taronga Western Plains Zoo into a true multi-day destination.

Why It's A Game-Changer For Dubbo

The Serengeti Resort represents the largest investment in the zoo’s history, supported by a $20 million contribution from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development through a partnership with Dubbo Regional Council and Taronga.

Once complete, the development is tipped to inject nearly $400 million into the local economy over the next 20 years. The build will create around 70 construction jobs, with another 28 ongoing roles once operational—a welcome boost for the region.

NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said the project recognises Taronga’s international reputation for conservation and animal welfare.

The zoo’s world-class breeding programs, research hubs and animal hospitals “help visitors connect with nature in a whole new way,” she said, while driving economic growth across regional NSW.

When Can You Stay?

The Serengeti Resort is slated to open in the second half of 2026, marking the next chapter in Taronga’s evolution as one of Australia’s most significant conservation and tourism hubs.

Once open, it’s expected to attract thousands of visitors eager for an up-close wildlife experience (without needing a passport).

So if you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to the sight of a rhino grazing outside your window (or just fancy a weekend escape that ups the ante) you’ll want to keep Dubbo on your radar.

Image credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo | Website