Built by the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in 1961, this massive radio telescope (about 20km north of Parkes) is located 6km east of the Newell Hwy. It was glorified on celluloid in The Dish (2000), which told a (somewhat fictionalised) account of the telescope's role in relaying live footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. The complex includes a visitor centre with space info, a 3D theatre (adult/child $7.50/6) and oodles of information on radio astronomy.
CSIRO Parkes Observatory
New South Wales
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.78 MILES
North of town, this complex is home to the Parkes Visitor Information Centre plus a handful of exhibitions housed in a few small museums.The King's Castle…
11.46 MILES
Bushwalking, mountain biking and 4WD touring are some of the activities that can be enjoyed here, and for those who wish to stay a little longer there are…
9.81 MILES
Housed in a former RAAF hangar from the airport’s time as a World War Two air-force base, this aircraft museum located at the Parkes Regional Airport is a…
19.41 MILES
The historic gold mine is located at Peak Hill, a small town 49km north of Parkes (75km south of Dubbo). Visitors can take a self-guided tour and enjoy…
10.47 MILES
This lookout atop Memorial Hill offers great views over Parkes and surrounds.
Nearby New South Wales attractions
9.78 MILES
North of town, this complex is home to the Parkes Visitor Information Centre plus a handful of exhibitions housed in a few small museums.The King's Castle…
9.81 MILES
Housed in a former RAAF hangar from the airport’s time as a World War Two air-force base, this aircraft museum located at the Parkes Regional Airport is a…
10.47 MILES
This lookout atop Memorial Hill offers great views over Parkes and surrounds.
11.46 MILES
Bushwalking, mountain biking and 4WD touring are some of the activities that can be enjoyed here, and for those who wish to stay a little longer there are…
19.41 MILES
The historic gold mine is located at Peak Hill, a small town 49km north of Parkes (75km south of Dubbo). Visitors can take a self-guided tour and enjoy…