For a relatively small country town, Parkes has a lot of fascinating claims to fame… which might seem a bit strange because, at first glance, it doesn’t look as interesting as other parts of the NSW Central West.
Parkes has always been in a really important transport intersection, with major roads and railways passing through here. It means that it’s constantly evolved and hasn’t kept the charming heritage streets or quaint weekender feel of places like Forbes or Orange.
So, on the face of it, Parkes just looks like a prosperous commercial centre serving surrounding agriculture, mining, and transportation industries.
But then there’s Elvis.
For no particular reason except that a local couple liked the singer and opened a restaurant called Graceland in the early 1980s, Parkes has grown into an epicentre of Elvis fandom. There’s the huge annual festival in January and attractions in his honour across town.
And there’s The Dish, the radio telescope that helped beam images of the moon landing back to earth in 1969 and became even more famous when a movie was made about it.
Add in some great museums, cool street art, and nearby nature, and it turns out there’s no shortage of things to do in Parkes for a couple of days!
Yes, it feels a bit different to the other towns in the region, but that’s even more reason to stop and have a look if you’re driving through.
To help you plan a trip, here are my thoughts on what to do in Parkes.
Henry Parkes Centre
A good place to start on a visit to Parkes is the Henry Parkes Centre, where you can get your bearings at the Visitor Information Centre.
Beyond offering some brochures, this cultural complex brings together a few different attractions under one roof.
There are some small things to see, like the replica of the Gates of Graceland and a recreation of Moat Cottage, the house where Henry Parkes was born in England (there’s a free video showing inside about his life).
Motor Museum
One of the main attractions within the Henry Parkes Centre complex is the Motor Museum, which has an impressive collection of cars, motorcycles, and other memorabilia.
The collection spans almost a century of automotive history, with vehicles dating from 1908 up to 1986. The items belong to club members or have been loaned from private collections.
Some of these beautifully restored cars were once everyday vehicles in rural NSW. But there are also some really rare ones, like a 1911 Martini GA (thought to be one of only five left in the world).
What I like about the Motor Museum is that it’s not just about the vehicles themselves – there’s also context about their place in regional NSW (or the world!).
The King’s Castle
Attached to the Motor Museum (and included in the same entry ticket) is The King’s Castle – a museum dedicated to Elvis, of course.
The collection of memorabilia on display actually belongs to the original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, who is a huge Elvis Fan. In fact, he owns more than 1500 Elvis-related items!
There are several rooms in the museum, each with their own themes about the life and work of Elvis. You’ll see some of his outfits, instruments, documents, and even furniture.
For fans, there’s heaps here that will be of interest, with many of the items hard to find elsewhere. But even if you’re not a huge aficionado, it’s a good way to get a sense of the hype.
Henry Parkes Museum
The Henry Parkes Museum is run by the local historical society and has a massive collection of items related to the heritage of Parkes and surrounding region.
The main building is full of smaller items from households and businesses that show different aspects of life over the years.
Then outside, there are whole structures like churches and a wooden schoolhouse that you can go inside to learn more about the rural communities around Parkes.
There are also lots of pieces of machinery like tractors, there’s a blacksmith shop full of tools, and there’s also an old rail carriage from the Silver City Comet that went between Parkes and Broken Hill from 1937 to 1989.
If you want to explore the Henry Parkes Museum properly, give yourself plenty of time. Even a relatively quick look around may take an hour (especially if you end up chatting to some of the historical society members), and it would be easy to spend even longer here.
Other main sights
Once you’ve stopped into the Henry Parkes Centre, and maybe had a look at a museum or two, there are a few other major attractions in Parkes that I think you really shouldn’t miss.
CSIRO Parkes Observatory
Probably one of the most famous things to do in Parkes is visit the iconic telescope that put the town on the map.
Officially it’s called the CSIRO Parkes Observatory, but it’s commonly just known as “The Dish”, Why? Well, because of the enormous 64-metre white dish that is the main part of the telescope.
It was built in 1961 and is best known for playing a crucial role in relaying television images from the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. It’s been active since then and is still being used today!
Because there’s cutting-edge astronomy work happening at the observatory 24 hours a day, you can’t actually go inside the telescope. That’s why the CSIRO has built a visitor centre at the site.
In the centre, there are interactive displays about radio telescopes and their discoveries, as well as temporary exhibitions and a cinema. And you’ll still see the telescope just metres away.
Visiting the CSIRO Parkes Observatory means driving about 25 kilometres north of town, but it’s worth the trip to see this bit of Australian scientific history.
Elvis, Elvis, Elvis
Now, you might be wondering why a country town in central NSW is so obsessed with Elvis Presley. Well, it all started with a locals Anne and Bob Steel who had a restaurant called Gracelands.
Although the couple opened the restaurant in 1981, it wasn’t until about a decade lates that it actually became Elvis themed. And from there, they had the idea to start a festival about Elvis in 1993.
Since then, it’s grown and grown and the Parkes Elvis Festival now brings in more than 25,000 people each year (to a town with a population of less than 10,000)! There are impersonators, parades, concerts, and much more.
But even if you don’t come for the festival in January, there are lots of Elvis-themed things to see in Parkes, including the Gates of Graceland and The King’s Castle museum I’ve already mentioned.
Around town, you’ll see lots of street art dedicated to Elvis, there’s a statue of Elvis in Cooke Park, many stores have Elvis displays in their front windows, and there are always new dedications popping up around town.
Memorial Hill
For a bit of local history and a nice view over Parkes, head up to Memorial Hill. This is where you’ll find the Parkes War Memorial, which honours those from the district who served in various conflicts.
The memorial itself is quite striking, with a 33-metre-high cenotaph and memorial walls listing names from both World Wars and other conflicts. It’s a peaceful spot and an important reminder of the contribution that regional areas like this made during wartime.
Around the memorial is the Rotary Peace Walk, with a series of small gardens dedicated to areas of war and planted with flora from those regions.
Bushman’s Hill
Not too far away is another elevated part of town, Bushman’s Hill.
This was the site of the first gold mine in Parkes and it has historic spaces from this time, including old mine relics. But it’s also a reclaimed green space, with gardens and artworks.
The reserve has walking trails that wind through native bushland, giving you a taste of what the landscape around Parkes looked like before European settlement. The Wiradjuri Amphitheatre at one end is used for outdoor concerts and events.
There are also good lookout points in the reserve where you can see across the town. And i’s a nice spot for a morning walk or to stretch your legs if you’ve been driving for a while.
Around town
As I mentioned earlier, Parkes doesn’t really have the same kind of heritage streetscape of other NSW Central West towns because its buildings have been constantly upgraded.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some interesting things to do in the Parkes town centre, which can get quite busy during the day.
Street Art
One of the things I love about Parkes is the way that street art has been incorporated into the central area. In particular, there are quite a few large murals scattered around the main streets like Clarinda Street, as well as in some of the laneways.
The murals cover various themes. They celebrate the town’s connection to astronomy and the Dish, they feature Elvis (naturally), and they also showcase local wildlife and landscapes.
As well as murals, you’ll find sculptures and other installations. And often there’ll be a temporary public art exhibition in Parkes celebrating something like the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
It’s pretty easy just to wander around and see most of the street art in Parkes, but there is a map here if you want to plan your route.
Sir Henry Parkes Statue
If you’re wondering why Parkes is named after Sir Henry Parkes, I’m sorry but the answer might be disappointing. He wasn’t born here (he’s originally English) and he never lived here.
But in 1873, when he was premier of New South Wales, Henry Parks visited the town that was then called Bushman’s. In honour of his visit, it was renamed Parkes… and the name stuck.
Of course, he want on to be a prominent figure in the creation of Australia as a country and is considered the ‘Father of Federation’. So it’s only fitting that there’s a statue of him in the centre of the city.
The Sir Henry Parkes statue shows him in his later years, captured in bronze with all the gravitas you’d expect. There’s information around the base about his life and achievements, so you can read up on a bit of Australian political history.
Walking trails
If you’d like to get some fresh air and exercise while you explore, there are three official walking trails that the town has put together as a way to see some of the best sights in Parkes by foot.
The shortest is the Culture Walk, a 4.5-kilometre route that goes from the Henry Parkes Centre, up to Bushman’s Hill, and then through the centre of town with all the street art and cafes.
Slightly longer, at 6 kilometres, is the Scenic Peace Walk. The main attraction here is Memorial Hill and the Rotary Peace Precinct, but then it also goes through some native forest and a pleasant dog park.
Finally, the Big One is a 10-kilometre that basically combines the highlights of the first two walks and adds in a couple of other bits of park. It doesn’t include the Henry Parkes Centre, so you can do that too for an even longer trail.
You can check out the suggested routes here.
Parkes Aviation Museum
About six kilometres drive from the centre of Parkes, out at the airport, is the Parkes Aviation Museum. While it’s not huge, it has some interesting displays about the history of aviation in the region.
The collection includes aircraft, engines, and various memorabilia, with a focus on both military and civilian aviation. There are information panels about the role the local area played during World War II and how aviation has been important for connecting regional communities.
The Parkes Aviation Museum is run by volunteers who are often veterans or aviation enthusiasts themselves, so you won’t have any trouble getting some stories out of them. This may end up being the best bit of a visit to the museum!
Around the region
While there are plenty of things to do in Parkes itself, I think it’s also worth heading out into the surrounding region for some little side trips.
There’s some beautiful countryside, a few interesting communities, and a couple of interesting attractions.
Lake Endeavour
When a dam was built back in the 1940s, it created Lake Endeavour, a gorgeous body of water that’s now a popular recreation area for residents of Parkes.
The lake is used for water skiing, sailing, and fishing, and there are good facilities around the shore including picnic areas and barbecues.
If you want to have a swim on a hot day, this is one of the best spots. I would recommend the 30-minute drive out to the new facilities that the council has built, including a 90-metre floating walkway (there’s even free wifi!).
Birdwatchers will also find plenty to see here too, with various waterbirds that make the lake their home. In the early morning or late afternoon, the light on the water is particularly beautiful, and it’s a peaceful escape from the town.
Goobang National Park
About 30 kilometres northeast of Parkes, you’ll hit the border of Goobang National Park, a huge reserve that protects an important bit of the Central West’s woodland.
It’s quite a rugged park that feels off the beaten track. It’s one of those national parks that’s designed more for environmental reasons than recreational ones – but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do.
Goobang National Park has several walking trails that take you through the native vegetation, and it’s a particularly good spot for birdwatching with more than 150 species recorded here. In spring, the wildflowers can be quite spectacular, adding splashes of colour to the bush.
There are a couple of camping areas here, so another option is to spend a night or two here to get away from the towns and enjoy the bush.
Peak Hill Gold Mine
The Peak Hill Gold Mine is quite interesting because it has both an old and a modern history, originally operating from 1893 – 1917 and then being reactivated and used between 1996 – 2002.
Now it’s a tourist attraction and visiting it lets you see what’s left from both those periods, including how much mining changed during the century between.
The Peak Hill Gold Mine is open-cut, so you don’t need to go down into any tunnels. There are walking paths and viewing platforms that take you to all the highlights.
While you’re there, also pop into the town of Peak Hill, which has a quaint main street with galleries and antique stores. There are still plenty of heritage elements from the gold mining days.
Nearby villages
The area around Parkes is dotted with small villages that each have their own character and story. If you’re doing a bit of a country drive, a few of them are worth stopping at along the way.
About 35 kilometres west, is the tiny village of Bogan Gate (named for the Bogan River, not for the character of any of its residents!). The highlight here is the recently-refurbished Bogan Gate Pub that has a relaxing beer garden and does great meals.
To the north, Trundle is another small farming community. It’s known locally for its annual ABBA Festival (yes, every region seems to have its music festival theme!). The Trundle Historical Society Museum is worth a look if you’re interested in local history.
And even further north is Tullamore, which has a nice little heritage precinct with some well-preserved buildings from the early 1900s.
You can do them all as a loop coming back through Peak Hill to see the mine.
Forbes
And finally, I want to mention Forbes, another town just 30 minutes’ drive away. You may already be passing through, if you’re doing a NSW Central West road trip – but, if not, I would really recommend popping in.
Forbes is a bit smaller than Parkes and feels really different. In the centre, there’s a robust collection of heritage buildings including a historic town square, which you don’t see often these days.
There’s a real emphasis on the arts here and, as well as the sculptures in the town centre, you could drive some of the Sculptures down the Lachlan trail where huge sculptures have been installed in the bush.
Forbes is also known for its bushranger stories, particularly of Ben Hall and his gang in the 1860s, and you can visit Ben Hall’s grave at the town’s cemetery.
So, while there are quite a few interesting things to do in Forbes, you can easily fit them into a day, making this a nice little side trip from Parkes if you weren’t planning to pass through otherwise.
