city, east-central New South Wales, Australia, on the Macquarie River. Visited in 1818 by the explorer John Oxley (Oxley, John), the district received its first settlers in 1824. Founded in 1841, Dubbo was an established village by 1849. It became a municipality in 1872 and a city in 1966. It is the trade centre of an area producing wheat, livestock, timber, and fruits and vegetables. Dubbo has slaughterhouses, flour mills, sawmills, brickworks, and joinery works. It is a major rail and road junction lying some 256 miles (412 km) northwest of Sydney; an airport is also located in the city. Dubbo's attractions include the Western Plains Zoo, and nearby are the Wellington Caves, Warrumbungle National Park, and the Mudgee vineyards. Pop. (2006) local government area, 37,843.