Why stay with us · National livestock showsShorthorn, Hereford,
Shorthorn, Hereford,
Merino & Dorper.
Dubbo is one of regional Australia's major livestock centres. Four nationally significant breed shows + sales run through winter and spring — National Shorthorn (June), Poll Hereford National (July), National Merino Ram (August), National Dorper (September). These weeks fill accommodation across the city; Bluegum is built for the working-stay pattern: free undercover parking, kitchenette in every room, quiet rooms set back from the highway, and reception staffed long enough to handle a long sale day.
The annual breed-show calendar at Dubbo Showground
- National Shorthorn Show & Sale — June. First of the four. Breeders, agents and rural transport operators travel from across the country.
- Poll Hereford National Show & Sale — July. One of the year's largest cattle bull events.
- National Merino Ram Show & Sale — August. Australia's premier merino ram sale; stud principals and woolgrowers from every state.
- National Dorper Show & Sale — September. The newest of the four nationally; the Dorper meat-sheep market continues to expand.
For exact dates each year, contact the Australian Stud Cattle / Sheep society for that breed — we list events as we get the confirmations from Showground operations.
Why Bluegum works for a sale week
- Kitchenette every room. Heat dinner late after a long sale day; coffee + toast early before judging.
- Free undercover parking. CCTV monitored. Standard passenger vehicles. Trailers / floats / oversized work vehicles use street parking nearby.
- Quiet rooms. All set back from the highway. Sale days are long; sleep matters.
- Reception 7:30am–8pm Mon–Fri. Late check-ins handled via emailed instructions before arrival.
- Direct billing for businesses. Multiple rooms, weekly stays, cost-coded invoicing — book via Siteminder or contact reception.
FAQs
Livestock sale weeks — common questions.
Which national livestock events run at the Dubbo Showground?
Four nationally significant events run June–September each year at the Dubbo Showground: National Shorthorn Show & Sale (June), Poll Hereford National Show & Sale (July), National Merino Ram Show & Sale (August), and National Dorper Show & Sale (September). They quietly fill accommodation across the city.
When should I book for a national show?
Breeders, agents and transport operators travel from across the country. Major hotels and motels typically tighten 6–12 weeks ahead — lock dates as soon as your sale catalogue or judging schedule is confirmed.
Can my team book multiple rooms or set up direct billing?
Yes. We regularly accommodate corporate travellers and rural-industry visitors. Companies requiring multiple rooms or direct billing arrangements can contact us directly or book through RMS Siteminder / OTAs.
Where can I park a work ute or trailer?
Free, secure, undercover, CCTV-monitored on-site parking for standard passenger vehicles. We can't accommodate trailers, boats, caravans or oversized work vehicles on site — guests with larger vehicles use street parking nearby, subject to local restrictions. Please contact us before arrival if you have parking questions.
What about late returns from a long sale day?
Reception is open Mon–Fri 7:30 am–8:00 pm and Sat–Sun 8:00 am–8:00 pm. After-hours arrivals receive an email with check-in instructions before arrival — no lockouts after a long day at the saleyard.
Lock your sale week early.
Check availability Sources & last verified. Event names and rough months (Shorthorn Jun / Hereford Jul / Merino Aug / Dorper Sep) per Werner Eenink & Sarah De Rijk (Bluegum GMs, 26 June 2026 ops sheet). Exact event dates each year are not published on this page — refer to the relevant breed society or the Dubbo Showground operations team. Last reviewed June 2026.