BILLABONG CAMP OPENS AT TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has officially opened the new overnight accommodation experience, Billabong Camp, at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Billabong Camp consists of 25 permanent camp sites located around a picturesque billabong in the Zoo’s Australian wildlife area. This immersive bush camping experience will bring visitors close to a variety of Australian and Asian animals.

“Billabong Camp guests will spend the night in canvas tents under the stars. They’ll experience close encounters with Australian wildlife and behind the scenes walking tours through the Zoo to see Asian wildlife,” said Zoo General Manager, Matthew Fuller.

“The Billabong Camp site has been a hive of activity over the past seven months, and this one million dollar development is now ready to offer guests a wonderful overnight experience in a stunning location, for a zoo stay they will be sure to remember for years to come.”

Mr Grant, representing the Tourism and Major Events Minister George Souris, said the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, was proud to support this new tourism product for Dubbo.

“Taronga Western Plains Zoo received $100,000 under the 2011-12 Regional Tourism Product Development Program to develop Billabong Camp,” Mr Grant said.

“The experience will cater for school groups during the week and families on weekends and school holidays, providing amazing and inspirational encounters with wildlife, not to mention a unique camping experience.”

Through the 2011-12 Regional Tourism Product Development Fund, the NSW Government invested a total of $5 million to support 129 tourism projects across NSW, including Billabong Camp.

“The aim of the program is to encourage industry growth and tourism spending in regional NSW,” said Mr Grant. “As these projects are completed, visitors to NSW will benefit from an even better choice of experiences and activities.”

“The new Billabong Camp experience is an exciting addition to Dubbo’s top tourist attraction and will surely boost the local visitor economy, encouraging visitors to stay longer in Dubbo for this unique offering.”

Billabong Camp compliments the Zoo’s current premium overnight experience, Zoofari Lodge, and will welcome its first guests from Saturday 13 April, 2013.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is located in Dubbo in Central Western NSW and is open every day. For more information visit www.taronga.org.au or contact 6881 1400.