in the comfort of XPT DUBBO EXPRESS train ,one can get to westerly town , on the Western Plains of NSW . Here the enjoyment of country atmosphere of the state awaits visitors. The travel on the train is pleasing . Diesel train passes through Blue Mountains ,towns of Lithgow , Orange and other small places and settlements . The sound of fast moving wheels of the train on the rails presents enjoyment of railway travel . It accompanies the lyrics composed by senior customer attendant of NSW Railway System at WAUCHOPE. These words reflect pride and joy of the work with NSW Railway system and by saying “here comes the XPT, humming along, passengers gathering, making a throng. Cocooned in a carriage ,shining stainless steel, lots of good vibrations, everyone can feel. “ , makes traveller very pleased with the voyage . These sweet lines of the song put travellers into relaxing mood but also into reflective and creative spirit too . Inviting to put own ability to pay due respect to the trip . How appropriate it be to put in own words some song to the tunes of music of travel . Rushing wind , sound of singing and humming wheels of train make one poetic ”
” Yes ,stainless steel wagons which were brought from UK , still on the tracks of NSW , make the travellers feel OK , moving in the nook of compartment, we are treated by the crew with excitement” .
On board of the XPT train catering service is provided . Some international meals like pastas , rice dishes or meat pies are served with accompanying great Australian wines or beers . With tummy full after tasty lunch, singing the songs , passengers arrive in Dubbo . Town famous for its great Western Plains ZOO , under Sydney Toronga Zoo Management . Beside exotic animals like lions, and other great animals of Africa , also from other continents, visitors to the ZOO come as well across the native animals like kangaroos , emus and koalas. Rhinoceros attractive artistic sculptures adorn the beautiful streets of Dubbo CBD.
Upon arrival , after 6 hours of the train trip checking into some of many hotels and motels available in Dubbo is welcome . ATLAS MOTEL turned to be the choice for this great couple of days trip stay.
After few refreshing hours after the train trip it is time for a dinner. This evening meal is available at many local restaurants and snack bars . Just like ATLAS MOTEL , meal of choice was at the ATLAS FALLAFEL PLACE . How interesting coincidence . Places in Dubbo, like ATLAS names of motel and eating place bring the thoughts of the Greek mythology . Stories of one of TITANS who held the sky and it was , yes precisely ATLAS . Sky after the dinner ,presenting amazing red sunset which eventfully , while closing its spectacle brings other act of the great unforgettable nature spectacle . Twinkling stars on the cloudless sky provides romantic mood in this remote pocket of Australia .
Dubbo is very proud of the delightful present , being very attractive Japanese Gardens in ORANA , donated by the MINOKAMO city in Japan ,situated about 100km away from TOKYO .The SHOYOEN GARDEN with the attractive Japanese floral , miniature stylized sand and small shrubs landscapes , moss beds ,arrangements is pleasing to eye and mind.
While in Dubbo visit to the WESTERN PLAINS CULTURAL AND ART CENTRE , is great choice . Lots of interesting facts to learn . DUBBO meaning RED OCHRE in aboriginal Wiradjuri language can be translated also as “red earth” . It is truly very appropriate to the colour of the land around the town . Some refer the origin of name Dubbo to the Wiradjuri people language word “Thubbo’ “ meaning Head Covering .
OTHER interesting place to visit could be park related to Anzacs heroes history . Here War Memorial presents visitors with many facts of the Australian troops involvement in WWI and WWII . One of the facts is truly unique . Related to WWI it presents history of the call to arms like Coo-ee March and other such as Waratahs, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Dungarees, Men from Snowy River, Kurrajongs, Kookaburras, Central West Boomerangs and North Coast Boomerangs Marches . It was amazing drive to get the Diggers to the WWI European war theatre .
Other interesting fact ,also about ANZAC Park is related to the stone works which were created in some instances by Polish stonemasons. They were brought to Australia to carry this amazing dying skill and art of masonry . They are representative of nation which like Australian fought on many WWII front for own and others freedom.
After day of town exploration meal at local Bowling Club is very welcome . Sizzling beef Mongolian style , stir-fried vegetable ,rice and desert banana split again with glass of Australian Red wine creates pleasant mood for the stroll under starry sky .
Of course the Dubbo has amazing history . It is worth of noting that on this land of the Tubbagah People of the Wiradjuri Nation ,there is evidence of 40000 years of aboriginal culture .Year 1818 is one of important dates . It is that year when John Oxley , renown Australian explorer passed around the today’s Dubbo area. In 1851 as the census indicates Dubbo had its first occupants . They consisted of 28 males and 19 females. All the white settlers first activities date to the XIX century . 1866 first bridge over the Macquarie river was build . The same river which year later presented major flooding in Dubbo. Year 1885 presents Australia with town called DUBBO as it was proclaimed in March of that year . Important moment of Dubbo history .On other hand ,in 1967 , at 1.30pm on 12 September ,having population by that time of 15,364 citizens ,Dubbo was proclaimed , by the Governor of NSW Sir Roden Cutler, as the CITY .
Dubbo being centre in the area ,crossroad of Newel , Mitchell and Golden Highways in this attractive Macquarie Valley , is also hub for further travel to other towns in western and northern NSW . From here , beside weekly train connection to Broken Hill, being the Sydney Perth / WA/ train service , there are daily also busses to this most westerly mining, home of EUREKA rebellious Stockade town , which of course with its history is also tourist town and transit point to Western Australia . Other bus services are also available . Well known opal , mining town of Lightning Ridge and Burke being well known for wool , cotton and citrus fruit can be reached from Dubbo.
Dubbo is definitely place one ought to consider visiting and tasting some flavour of Australian “ outback” . To entice visit Dubbo 2016 , it should be remembered that area has great wines and very exiting program of Dubbo Annual Jazz Festival to be held in August 2016 . Of course Dubbo is interesting destination at any time of the year.
Train or self driving and domestic or international air services are available to reach the colours of Dubbo . Nature , history while visiting Goal , which already in 1847 was Court House lockup or enjoyment with the ZOO experience are awaiting .
WMIG NOVEMBER 2015
interesting websites:
– http://www.nswtrainlink.info/ NSW Railways,
Airlines to fly to Sydney:
-http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/au/home- Singapore Airlines ,
-http://www.lot.com/pl/en/ – Polish Airlines LOT
-http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/home – Jetstar
-http://www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/ – official Dubbo website