Top Things to do in Parkes
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The 10 Best Things to do in Parkes, New South Wales
Discover the best top things to do in Parkes, Australia including Parkes Aviation Museum - HARS, CSIRO Parkes Observatory, The Henry Parkes Centre, Memorial Hill Lookout, War Memorial, Parkes Radio Telescope, Railway Pioneers Of Parkes (Locomotive 3075), Cooke Park, Parkes Elvis Festival, Sir Henry Parkes Statue.
Restaurants in Parkes
1. Parkes Aviation Museum - HARS
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By TCGchef - Berrima, Australia
This annex to the Albion Park museum is well worth the visit and with the planned improvements will bring this attraction up in the standings very well, keep an eye out and support HARS with a visit
2. CSIRO Parkes Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 825 reviews
Reviewed By Drums4Lunch - Wollongong, Australia
Always wanted to come to “The Dish” after I watched the movie many years ago, finally bought the family and it was a great day. The radio telescope is MASSIVE!!... There is a 30min 3D movie experience for minimal $$ available in the merchandise shop, the museum portion is also great. A cafe is also available onsite and the food is very good. Great for taking photos of this historic Australian scientific icon (Apollo 11 Moon Landing folks)... Overall a great visit for those out west looking for something to do.
3. The Henry Parkes Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
The Henry Parkes Centre is a one stop shop for all your travel needs and a cultural experience all at the one location! Home to the Parkes Visitor Information Centre and 4 museums including the King's Castle Elvis Exhibit, Parkes Motor Museum, Henry Parkes history museum and Antique Machinery collection.
Reviewed By Pantherboy - Georgetown, Australia
Apart from the usual service and information provided by a Visitor Information Centre, this place had a host of other offerings. On site are the Henry Parkes Museum (the Father of Federation), an Elvis Presley Museum (there is a huge Elvis Presley festival in Parkes every year), an impressive motor Museum, and a replica of Henry Parkes cottage, complete with a theaterette with video presentation on Henry Parkes. The cost for both the Elvis Presley and motor museums is $10, and worth every cent! If you're in Parkes, this is a must!
4. Memorial Hill Lookout
5. War Memorial
6. Parkes Radio Telescope
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Karen70P
I have always had the Dish on my bucket list and it didn’t disappoint! We drove from Orange which took about 1.5hrs roughly, through lovely countryside. The Dish was very active while we were there and turned it all different directions which was fantastic. It was stinking hot, 38 degrees, but it’s a dry heat so more bearable than Sydney humidity, and the visitors centre and cafe were air conditioned. The whole place followed Covid-safe guidelines. The cafe has lots of food (healthy and unhealthy!) and drink options (including alcohol). I had scones, and jam and cream and it was 10/10. My partner had a beautiful moist almond orange cake. It is fascinating to learn about the role the Dish played in Australian and world history and continues to be a valuable tool today
7. Railway Pioneers Of Parkes (Locomotive 3075)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By chris19531955
I was riding a bike through here and spotted this immaculately restored locomotive. Worth the 5 minute stop.
8. Cooke Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Margiesfree - Greater Sydney, Australia
The park comes alive during the Elvis Festival and the organisation is a credit to the town. Free Live music all day and well into the night, fabulous retro stalls and a variety of food stalls. You could spend all day every day there listening to the music if you missed out on concert tickets
9. Parkes Elvis Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By RobynE771 - Adelaide, Australia
A feature of our Great Southern Beyond Rail Journey from Adelaide to Brisbane, was stopping at Parkes and attending the semi-final of artists at the Parkes Elvis Festival. This whole experience was fantastic and if you enjoy 'toe-tapping' music, this is certainly the place to be every January. The annual street parade reportedly hosted about 20,000 spectators and the League's Club was to capacity with an audience entertained by 8 'Elvis inspired' finalists. What a great way to spend an afternoon. The market area was full of Elvis memorabilia and old and young alike were immersed in this iconic entertainer.
10. Sir Henry Parkes Statue
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By yvey1991
This statue is in the middle of town and you can't really miss it. It's definitely worth getting out for though as it gives you a wonderful explanation for the role Sir Henry Parkes played in Parkes history. Great tribute!
