Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

More visitors expected at upgraded Old Dubbo Gaol

More visitors expected at upgraded Old Dubbo Gaol
March 31, 2021

While the Old Dubbo Gaol has been a popular tourist destination for decades, it’s about to become even more popular following the completion of major upgrades to the heritage including  interpretive works that will engage and communicate with a broad audience of differing ages, interests, nationalities, and educational levels.

In addition to being a major tourist destination, attracting more than 50,000 visitors a year, the Old Dubbo Gaol provides education opportunities to more than 3,000 students from across NSW, ACT, Victoria, and QLD each year.

Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Ben Shields notes “The Old Dubbo Gaol refurbishment project has been designed to create an improved visitor experience with enhancements to the State Heritage Listed buildings, including the replacement and refurbishment of a large majority of the exhibitions. Many of these exhibitions required replacement as they haven’t been replaced for more than 20 years.”

The upgrades also include enhancements to displays, and utilising more modern technology to tell the stories of the lives of the inmates at the Old Dubbo Gaol. The upgrades will strengthen the visitor experience to meet current and future needs of visitors. The total project cost is $1.39 million, with $809,725 funded by Dubbo Regional Council and a further $600,000 from the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund.

NSW Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, who helped unveil the latest upgrades advised “The Old Dubbo Gaol is one of the most culturally significant heritage sites in regional NSW. Listed on the State Heritage Register, it holds artefacts of national significance within its collection of more than 600 items, and I am delighted this project has been supported through the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund.”

Some of those artefacts include the largest collection of Hangman Ropes in Australia, and the original Hangman’s Gallows. The upgrades will preserve these historically significant items, with new display cabinets allowing even more artefacts to be displayed to the public.

Mayor Shields added “Council conducted research with visitors to the Old Dubbo Gaol, and they told us that they enjoy the site, but felt there is a disconnect between the out-dated exhibitions and our audience. These latest upgrades include interpretive works that will engage and communicate with a broad audience of differing ages, interests, nationalities, and educational levels.”

As a result of these upgrades, the Old Dubbo Gaol is expected to see a 10% increase in visitation, providing an additional $1.063 million to the local economy each year. It will also allow for the creation of three additional jobs. DRC was also able to engage local contractor Omni Constructions to complete the upgrades.

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said it’s important to continue investing in the Dubbo Region’s tourism attractions highlighting “The Old Dubbo Gaol is one of the premier and most unique tourist attractions we have in Dubbo, and I am proud that the NSW Government has provided signficiant investment to make this as good as it can possibly be. These upgrades allow the Gaol to move with the times when it comes to tourism offerings, while maintaining the heritage feel that befits a site of such historical significance to the city.”

Stage Two of the Old Dubbo Gaol redevelopment is currently in development, which includes upgrades to signage and the entry to the Gaol.

Image caption: Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, NSW Arts Minister Don Harwin, and Mayor Ben Shields.

Related Articles

6th July 2020 - Dubbo Regional Theatre reopens to the public

12th December 2019 - Dubbo Regional Council opens new Wellington Aquatic Leisure Centre

30th August 2019 - Dubbo Regional Theatre receives Drover Award as PAC Australia Performing Arts Centre of the Year

29th July 2019 - Dubbo region to launch new multi attraction ticket

19th June 2019 - 2019 Regional Events Conference to see industry professionals gather in Dubbo

1st March 2019 - Dubbo to host 2019 Regional Events Conference

17th January 2019 - New Hire Centre at Dubbo Zoo goes solar

17th August 2018 - Dubbo community to help shape plans for new indoor pool at Aquatic Leisure Centre

28th March 2018 - New lion exhibit opens at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo

19th February 2018 - Dubbo RSL Aquatic and Health Club indoor pool closes amid roof safety concerns

6th July 2017 - Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre welcomes 500,000 patrons

14th June 2016 - Artlands Dubbo Conference to emphasise the strength of regional arts

7th August 2013 - Construction underway at Dubbo Athletics Centre

21st November 2020 - Tasmanian Government commits $20 million for Port Arthur Historic Site

6th March 2020 - Port Arthur Historic Site named top attraction 2019 Australian Tourism Awards

12th April 2016 - Port Arthur Historic Site to get Federal funds for tourism centre development


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd are the premium dealer in Australasia for the Dutch company BERG’s commercial and domestic products. Our flagship product is their revolutionary pedal go-kart – the…

read more

Attractions / Tourism / Venues

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Worldwide Sports Management

Principal Consultant Simon Weatherill has spent the last 20 years developing the world renowned Melbourne Sports Hub, as former Chief Executive Officer of the State Sports Centres Trust…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

ICP

ICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…

read more

Attractions / Fitness / Recreation

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business