Platypus Rescue HQ Dubbo

 

Platypus Refuge

The new platypus HQ located at Taronga Western Plains zoo in Dubbo New South Wales Australia is a world class facility and ground breaking place. It is designed to safe guard platypus populations due to the increasing pressures of climate change on existing populations. It is located on the traditional lands of the Tubba-Gah people on Wilaay Wiradjuri Country.  Platypus HQ has the ability to house 65 platypuses and it functions as both a rescue and research facility.  A male platypus (aged 23) called Mackenzie is also on display but as the display is set to natural light conditions instead of reverse light conditions (nocturnal created environment within day time),  he wasn't out swimming but rather in his burrow, and should become more active later in the day.  Although it was sad not to see Mackenzie I have seen him before as he was housed in the nocturnal display at Sydney Tarongo zoo before he was moved to Dubbo.  You can read more about Platypus Rescue HQ here.

Front entrance to Platypus Rescue HQ

Recognition of First Nations connection to the Wambool (Macquarie River) which is also home to the platypus

Tanks at the back of the Platypus Rescue HQ for rescue

Platypus enclosure design

Platypus pin I purchased

Platypus HQ above view (source Taronga zoo Dubbo)

Rescue enclosure (source Taronga zoo Dubbo)

Sponsers

Signs around zoo featuring platypuses

Dubbo highlights

Dubbo Gaol

This was my second visit to Dubbo you can check out my other blog on Dubbo here.  This time I visited the Old Dubbo gaol.  The gaol (old English spelling for jail) opened in 1847 and operated until 1966. I loved the old sandstone buildings and the design and detail to the exhibitions. The use of sound effects and recording were great too. The gaol although small compared to other historic gaols I've  visited (including the Bathurst gaol) it was still engaging. The old cells were eerie but also interesting. I only found out they had night tours on the day before I left but it would be cool to do a night tour there. Below are some photos from the goal.

Male Division Cells

Hanging equipment display

Watch Tower

View from watch tower of female cells

Hospital

Gallows

Display of prisoners

Joseph Beahan brother to Kate Leigh (nee Beahan) a prisoner at Dubbo gaol (see mural of Kate Leigh further below)

Murals

More murals from my last visit to Dubbo can be viewed in my video here. A map and audio tour of the public art in Dubbo can be found here.

 

Indigenous design murals 

Lovely murals along the building at 166 Brisbane street. Unknown artist but the style looks like Lewis Burn.

 

 

Alan Riley and Stephen Moore

A beautiful mural is on the ramp located in Dubbo Square featuring a timeline of Dubbo it was created by artists Alan Riley and Stephen Moore. More information here.

 

Adnate

Lovely mural by Adnate of Pearl Gibbs (1901 – 1983) a First Nations woman activist of 20th Century and member of Aborigines Progressive Association (APA).

Pearl Gibbs mural at 157 Talbragar Street

Fintan Magee

A collection of murals are decorated around Dubbo Base Hospital they were created by artist Fintan Magee in collboration with Di Mcnaboe and Lewis Burns. They feature a mural with three generations of Wiradjuri family. Two other murals featuring First Nations Bush medicine are also located around the hospital.

Poncho Army

Poncho Army has created a number of murals as tributes to the colourful historic figures of Dubbo. Below are the murals they created.

Sir Sidney Kidman (1857 – 1935), known as ‘The Cattle King

Ben Hall a bush Ranger (1837 –1865)

Mural tribute to local artist Colleen McCullough (1937 – 2015) and her her book The Thorn Birds (1977).

Kate Leigh (1881-1964) mural. Born in Dubbo but moved to Sydney and underworld figure of the 1920s. The mural is inspired from her mug shot photos.

HAHA

Breaker Morant (1864 – 1902) mural he is known for the execution of  Boer Prisoners of War and killed by firing squad in 1902.  Located behind the building at 213 Macquarie Street.

Public Art

A series of sculptures are decorated around the town below are a few I saw.

Dice Mosaic by Brigid Palin and community members (2011) located Gipps street corner of Victoria Park

Butterfly sculture by Big Kahuna Imagineering at  Livvi's Place Playground

Artwork on skate park

Spirit Man by Brett Garland in Victoria Park commemorating the 2018 Royal Visit.

Urban Trees by Jeff McCann. Located near Western Plains Cultural Centre

Final Thoughts

It was lovely to see Dubbo again it hadn't changed much since my 2021 visit. The zoo and old qaol are a must to visit when you are there, a nice walk along the river is great too. Below are some baby animal highlights from my visit to the zoo.

Macquarie River

Black Rhino Baby

Black Rhino and baby

Hippo family

White Rhino Parent and baby

Lion cub

Lion cub

Video Extras