Dubbo's premier tourist attraction has taken out gold on the national stage, recognition it says for its work to operate overnight experiences to a global standard.
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Taronga Western Plains Zoo won the Unique Accommodation category at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards gala ceremony held at Melbourne on Friday night.
The top result was achieved the year after it had claimed bronze in the same category and silver for best attraction.
Members of the Taronga Western Plains Zoo team were there to accept the award at the gala event, also attended by television personality Hugh Sheridan.
On Sunday Taronga Western Plains Zoo director Matthew Fuller remained delighted by the addition to the trophy cabinet.
"This is an absolutely outstanding achievement for the zoo, winning the peak industry award for the Unique Accommodation category," he said.
"This is the first time the zoo has won the Unique Accommodation category at the national level, recognising our continued endeavours to develop and operate our unique overnight experiences to a global standard.
Mr Fuller said the win was a wonderful outcome after the zoo's significant investment in overnight experiences.
During the past three years the zoo has undergone some changes with the creation of Billabong Camp, redevelopment of Zoofari Lodge and the opening of Savannah Cabins self-contained accommodation, providing visitors with unique opportunities to wake up in the wild.
"We have benchmarked our experiences against some of the best nature-based operators in the world, and we're thrilled that these experiences are receiving national and international recognition," Mr Fuller said.
"We are incredibly pleased and overwhelmed by our success and are delighted to not only receive recognition from industry, but from our visitors as well.
"It highlights that the work we've done and the success we're having is translating into a greater ability for a long term sustainable approach to supporting our animal care and conservation endeavours."
The 39-year-old zoo is moving to undertake a comprehensive Visitor Experience Plan, which will see new wildlife exhibits along with key upgrades and redevelopments across the site, providing unique ways for visitors to directly connect with wildlife.
The plan would see a number of significant projects take place at the zoo, with $49.7 million being invested to improve the visitor experience and set Taronga Western Plains Zoo apart from any other zoo in Australia, Mr Fuller said.
