parkes shire

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PARKES ATTRACTIONS

Parkes is a modern town of nearly 12,000 people, with a shire population of 16,000. The Parkes Shire is
made up of the township of Parkes, as well as the smaller towns of Alectown, Bogan Gate, Cookamidgera, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore.

From a gold rush town in the 1800’s, Parkes has progressed to become a thriving commercial centre
servicing a rich agricultural and mining district. The Parkes Shire offers a relaxed friendly country way of life with a full range of services and facilities. Parkes has also developed as an important inland hub of the nation’s transport network.

Parkes visitor information centre

Phone: (02) 6862 6000
Email: tourism@parkes.nsw.gov.au; Web: www.visitparkes.com.au

Parkes Visitor Information Centre is located on the northern approach to town on the Newell Highway at the Henry Parkes Centre. The Centre provides information on accommodation, facilities and attractions, souvenirs, maps, refreshment, free Wi-Fi and is open daily.

CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, ‘The Dish’

Newell Highway, Phone: (02) 6861 1777.
Open Daily: 8.30am-4.15pm.
Email: parkes-vdc@csiro.au ; Web: www.csiro.au/parkes

Parkes’ famous Radio Telescope is still at the forefront of international radio astronomy, 50 years after it
was first commissioned.

The Visitors Discovery Centre (free entry) at the Radio Telescope offers hands-on displays, audiovisuals (charge applies) and informative staff to answer all of your questions. The Centre is located close to the
Dish, allowing perfect photographic opportunities.

The Dish Café is a licensed restaurant and serves a wide range of food and beverages from light meals to large breakfasts. The scones and home made jam are a real treat. Opening hours - same as Telescope Visitors Discovery Centre.

Henry Parkes Centre

Pioneer Park - Newell Highway, Parkes (northern side of town)
Phone: (02) 6862 6000; Open 7 days.
Email: tourism@parkes.nsw.gov.au ; Web: www.henryparkescentre.com.au

This unique complex houses the Visitor Information Centre, along with 4 Museum collections:

• The King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit, owned by former ‘Yellow Wiggle’ Greg Page
  
• Parkes Motor Museum
  
• Henry Parkes Museum
  
• Pioneer Park Antique Machinery Collection

One admission gains access to all museums. Tickets valid for two days.

Memorial Hill

Entry from Bushman Street, Parkes

One of the highest points in Parkes, offering panoramic views over the Shire.  The reserve is home to a war memorial built to honour the local victims of war. This Reserve is also home to the Rotary Arboretum.

Bushman’s Hill

Entry via Wentworth Street or Newell Highway, Parkes

Site of Parkes’ first gold mine over 100 years ago. Walk to the top of the hill, where you will pass relics and a fantastic view over Parkes. There is a sheltered picnic area with easy access.

Kelly Reserve

Corner of Newell Highway & Thomas Street, Parkes

Kelly Reserve is home to a steam locomotive, Bushmans Dam, parkland, free BBQs, a playground and toilets, making a pleasant location for a picnic, somewhere to stretch the legs and allow the kids to enjoy the outdoors.

Shop and eat

Parkes has a range of large retailers, smaller specialty shops, boutiques and key services, along with a great selection of cafes, restaurants and clubs where all tastes are catered for. Easy parking - with longer vehicles catered for in surrounding streets. Contact the Visitor Information Centre for more details.

Parkes Olympic Swimming Pool

Dalton Street, Parkes

Upgraded 50 metre pool with wet deck & modern pool area for kids, canteen and BBQ facilities. Open October-April. Public Swimming Pools also located in Trundle, Tullamore & Peak Hill.

Craft Corner

Dalton Street, Parkes

Offers a range of locally produced hand-made arts, craft, paintings, pottery, jewellery, knitwear and regular exhibitions of specialised items.

Parkes Shire Library

Bogan Street, near Cecile Street intersection, Parkes
Phone: (02) 6861 2309; Open 6 days

Audio books, newspapers, local studies & history collection, Internet access.

Parkes Golf Course

London Road, Parkes; Open 7 days

Parkes Golf Course is an 18 Hole championship course with grass greens and watered fairways and complemented by a welcoming Club House. Other popular golf courses are located in Peak Hill,
Trundle & Bogan Gate.

Goobang National Park

Located north-east of Parkes; Phone: (02) 6851 4429

Goobang National Park is located between Parkes and Peak Hill, to the east. It is approximately 42,080 hectares in size, and includes the Hervey, Curumbenya and Bumberry mountain ranges and surrounding valleys. Visitors can enjoy bushwalking, picnicking, free camping, photography, bird watching and nature study.

Peak Hill Open Cut Experience

Located 50km north of Parkes, in Peak Hill
Phone: (02) 6862 6000

This historic tourist gold mine offers viewing platforms, walking trails and views over 5 spectacular open cut mines. Self guided walking trails across the hilltop offer panoramic views and interpretive information on both historic and more recent mining activities. Free self guided tours every day 9.00am - 4.00pm. Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day.

Big Fish Fossil Hut at Peak Hill

Located 50km north of Parkes, in Peak Hill
Phone: (02) 6869 1422

This collection includes a wide range of specimens representing ancient wildlife groups that have lived across Eastern Australia over the past 700 million years. Don’t miss the 4.5m long Big Fish Fossil!

Trundle Hotel & Trundle Main Street

Located 65km north-west of Parkes
Phone: (02) 6892 1009

This heritage listed pub c.1909 dominates Trundle’s 66 metre wide main street. Its an iconic country pub, well worth a visit. Meals and coffee available.

Utes in the Paddock

70km west of Parkes, at Ootha

Located at Ootha near Condobolin at Burrawang West Station (access from Parkes-Condobolin Rd),
This quirky project celebrates Australia’s outback culture. Iconic Holden utes take on new life as a
tribute to life in the outback by a variety of well-known artists. Enjoy a meal and cold drink at the Bogan Gate Pub on the way.

Twisted River Wines

Located 40km east of Parkes on the Orange Road

Twisted River Wines is an award winning vineyard located on the edge of the cool climate boundary of the Central Ranges wine region. Nestled on the edge of Goobang National Park, it produces low yielding, high quality grapes such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Viognier. Cellar door open 10am - 5pm weekends and public holidays, other times by appointment.

Sir Henry Parkes Statue

Clarinda Street, Parkes

Erected in honour of the “Father of Federation”, Parkes was named after this great statesman on 1 December 1873, the then Premier of New South Wales. He visited Parkes in 1887 and gave the town the Fontana Bust, which is displayed at Parkes Shire Council. In the same year, Parkes’ main street was changed to ‘Clarinda’ which was Lady Parkes’ Christian name.

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