Dubbo is a thriving commercial centre 303km north-west of Sydney, located at the crossroads of major highways north to Brisbane, south to Melbourne, east to Sydney and Newcastle, and west to Broken Hill and Adelaide. Temperatures vary from an average high of 31 degrees in summer to an average high of 16 degrees in winter.

Prior to white settlement, Dubbo was inhabited by the Wiradjuri Indigenous People. There is evidence that indigenous people lived in the area approximately 40,000 years prior to white settlement. Dubbo derives from the Wiradjuri term ‘red earth’.

Dubbo serves as a major commercial hub for the western New South Wales region. It contains many parklands, museums and galleries. Many of the buildings are influenced by Victorian architecture; a few examples include Edwardian semis and Victorian terraces.

Dubbo is well known for its vineyards and fine food with many tours and tastings available throughout the region. Dubbo has a strong sporting culture. The region has rugby league and Australian Rules teams.

Dubbo is the terminus for the Countrylink rail service which operates to Sydney. There are also busses which serve the local area, as well as coaches to major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Flights to and from Dubbo Airport operate daily to Sydney, Broken Hill and other towns.