Fast facts
- Agriculture meets astronomy in wide, open spaces
- Famous for the Parkes Observatory
- Four hours’ drive west of Sydney
Why go there
When Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon in 1969, it was the Parkes Observatory’s giant radio telescope that received the transmission, broadcasting it to a television audience of 600 million people.
In 2000 the observatory was also the setting for the Australian film, "The Dish". Now visitors head to Parkes to visit the observatory and learn about the radio telescope as well as the principles of astronomy.
The area has an interesting bushranger history and a long tradition as a gold-mining centre, one of the richest in the early colony.
Things to do
- Play bushranger at Escort Rock, Eugowra near Forbes, where bushranger Frank Gardiner and his gang staged Australia’s biggest gold heist.
- Spot endangered species, such as the squirrel glider and brush-tailed rock wallaby, at Goobang National Park.
- Go camping and fishing along the Lachlan River.
- Try water sports at Lake Cargelligo, an outback aquatic playground, north-west of West Wyalong.
- Have your photo taken beside the colossal Big Four tractor at the Pioneer Park Antique Machinery Museum, Parkes.
- Discover Lake Cowal, near West Wyalong, the largest natural lake in NSW.
Don’t miss
- Parkes Observatory Visitor Centre, where you can learn about the giant radio telescope.
- Gold-mining history and Aboriginal artefacts at West Wyalong’s Bland District Historical Museum.
- The historic gold mine at Peak Hill.
- Bushrangers Hall of Fame, Albion Hotel in Forbes.
- Macusani Alpacas, an alpaca farm, café and shop, 10 km south of Parkes.
Events
- Countrylink Parkes Elvis Festival, Parkes, in January.
- Parkes Annual Show, Parkes, in August.
- Bush Tucker Day, Trundle, in September.
- Parkes Country Music Spectacular, Parkes, in October.
- Antique Motorcycle Rally, Parkes, in October.
