Left behind in "44-degree" heat was unwell husband Terry in a broken-down vehicle and caravan on the edge of the Newell Highway.

Mrs McWhinney hoped against hope the couple's two phones would work on higher ground.

They didn't and another hike to the next hill seemed the best option to get much-needed help.

But a clearing in the bush stopped the 65-year-old retiree in her tracks and within minutes she was walking " into Dubbo's open arms".

Yesterday Mrs McWhinney told the Daily Liberal of the many acts of kindness and support of Dubbo residents and businesses that turned a traumatic event on January 2 into a revelation about the capital of Western NSW and its people.

"We have not stopped singing the praises of everyone and the town, and just how optimistic, energetic and enthusiastic everybody felt about what they were doing and the place that they lived," she said.

"It impressed us incredibly."

Mrs McWhinney said the clearing led her to the home of Tony and Sue Russo, where iced water was immediately thrust into her hands.

Across almost three-and-a-half hours the Dubbo family fed and cared for the marooned travellers after rescuing 64-year-old Mr McWhinney and towing the couple's caravan onto their property and off the highway.

The city's generosity continued to flow across the following three days as the couple fixed their vehicle in preparation for the return journey on January 6 to their home at Myrtle Creek near Casino in northern NSW.

Mrs McWhinney yesterday thanked Dubbo's cafe operators, bank and retail staff for their pleasant and professional attention.

Special praise was heaped on the Russo family and a "spectacular" NRMA officer who escorted the McWhinneys to Dubbo City Holiday Park where its managers also excelled in customer service.

"Many places would take a dim view of bonnet up and radical surgery being performed in their facility but the managers of the park were very understanding and accommodating," said Mrs McWhinney, formerly a local government employee.

She is equally effusive about Tyreright, Beaurepairs, Autobarn, Supercheap Auto, Bunnings and the "fabulous" STS Auto Electrics.

Mrs McWhinney said despite being on holiday, its owner sourced parts for the disabled vehicle and offered to travel to the holiday park and help with the repairs.

After settling back into home, the couple have taken the time to write to Dubbo Chamber of Commerce.

"Many times one hears of brickbats for towns and services and we wanted... to recommend and thank all the service providers we met and dealt with," Mrs McWhinney said.

She told of business owners in her smaller community being perplexed about why they were missing out on the patronage of "locals".

"Having had the experience in Dubbo we can say with certainty that it is the service standards that make the difference," Mrs McWhinney said.

In the future the grateful travellers plan to return to Dubbo for "at least a week" to reacquaint themselves with new friends and visit the city's attractions including Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the Macquarie River.