Dubbo is a city of 30,990 people situated at the junction of the Newell, Mitchell and Golden Highways 414km north-west of Sydney. The city is a thriving commercial centre for a large agricultural area based on grain crops and livestock. The Macquarie River runs through Dubbo. The city has a modern airport, rail and transport facilities. One of the major tourist attractions in the area is the Western Plains Zoo which attracts over 530,000 visitors to the city each year. The zoo is home to 1,500 animals from all over the world and covers an area of 300 hectares. You can drive through the zoo in the comfort of your own car and be fascinated by close encounters with the animals.