Parkes CSIRO Radio Telescope

Parkes NSW 2870 (Pop 10 500)
Pic: John Sarkissian - Courtesy CSIRO

Parkes is located on the Newell Hwy 365 km west of Sydney. This former goldmining town is today a thriving commercial centre set in a rich agricultural district. Originally founded in 1853 as Currajong, the aboriginal word for Kurrajong Trees, it was renamed Parkes after Sir Henry Parkes in 1873. Elvis Presley Festival (Jan), Country Music Spectacular (Oct), Antique Motor Bike rally (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Pioneer Park Museum, Pioneer St incorporates the Henry Parkes Historical Museum and has a fine collection of historical artifacts, goldmining memorabilia and Henry Parkes personal library. Bushmans Hill Reserve, Newell Hwy features a lookout, mining relics and a mining memorial. Motor Museum, cnr Bogan & Dalton Sts features vintage and veteran vehicles. Memorial Hill Lookout, Bushman St excellent town and district views.

Nearby:
CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope (26 km north) This big-dish antenna radio telescope was completed in 1961 and is one of the world’s most powerful. It has detected quasars and pulsars and starred in the Australian movie ‘The Dish’. Peak Hill (48 km north) working open-cut goldmine and lookout over Parkes. Goobang NP (30 km n-e) 42 000 ha park features interesting mix of local flora & fauna mix and incorporates the Hervey, Curumbenya and Bumberry mountain ranges.

 
Accommodation:
Parkes has about a dozen motels, 9 hotels, 2 B&Bs and 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Kelly Reserve, Newell Hwy. Tel (02) 6862 4365.

Airport:
Parkes Airport (PKE) off Orange Rd, Bindogundra. Tel (02) 6861 2380. (6 km east of CBD).

Hospital:
Parkes Health Service, Coleman Rd. Tel (02) 6862 1611.

Other Emergency Services:
Police Tel (02) 6862 1077. Fire Brigade Tel (02) 6862 1822.