Parkes is famous for two things – The Dish (both the film and the continuing work in the exploration of space) and the Elvis festival held each year. But it has far more to offer – we had a great 3 days there.
We were at the Parkes from 11 April up to 14 April 2021.
Kerry’s snippets in fuchsia
Getting There
Forbes > Parkes ~ 32kms
History
The Wiradjuri people occupied the lands around the upper Lachlan River for tens of thousands of years. Their history after European settlement should be read here.
In 1817 a party led by John Oxley became the first Europeans to pass through the district. In 1835 Major Thomas Mitchell led an expedition through the area, camped just north of the present townsite, and wrote that the local Wiradjuri were intelligent, resourceful, sincere and possessed of an unaffected nature.
The history of European settlement can be read here
Today Parkes is a thriving service centre with a strong commercial and industrial base. It has a population of some 11,400 people.
Day 1 – 11 April 2021 – drive to Parkes
It was a very cold day, some cloud and windy. We had our winter woolies on. I did a final morning walk around the lake.
We had to be out of the van park by 10, but could not get into the Parkes van park until after 12 – so we had to while away some time after the half hour drive from Forbes. It was also a Sunday. Thus we found the Tourist Office closed.
So we drove back into town and walked around for a couple of hours. The town is not immediately as picturesque as Cowra or Forbes but is a large and busy place. But there are some impressive buildings – you could see a statue of Sir Henry Parkes in a couple. Some very impressive homes here too, with mostly lovely gardens.
The Spicer van park is quite close to town, at the base of Memorial Hill. We were early but Cameron let us in. We were even able to drive through as the site to our rear was empty. It is a very open park but also much of it is on a slope. It took all our bits of timber to get the stabilisers touching the ground on one side. But the facilities are excellent – you even got bath mats for the showers.
That evening Cameron got the fire pit going and we settled in with a few people. Cameron and Sam – a lovely couple in their late 20s – have been looking after the park for 8 weeks while the regular managers took a holiday. They loved it and are looking to move to another similar position in Queensland. There were quite a few people there so it was another late dinner. Nothing like a roaring fire on a cold evening.
Day 2 – 12 April 2021 – Memorial Hill & The Dish
Cool day but beautiful clear skies.
My morning walk took me up to Memorial Hill and then through the town. Later we drove up to the Hill so Kerry could enjoy the views. The Hill truely provides magnificent views over Parkes and the surrounding countryside. Its 33m high Shrine of Remembrance really stands proud.
There is also a Remembrance Walk on the Hill with different flora from the areas of the conflicts to commemorate those lost in the various wars. It is quite sobering to see the number of conflicts in which Australians have participated.
We then went to look at a fabulous house I had seen on my walk – very unusual. Very interesting shapes in this house – with a rotunda on one side with leaded glass inserts. Someone went to a lot of trouble to design this back in the day.
In the afternoon we drove the 25kms or so north to the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, star of the film ‘The Dish,’ (2000). The Visitor Discovery Centre is where people can explore explore the world of astronomy and discover what role The Dish plays in ‘listening to the stars’. We looked at the many displays, as well as hands on exhibits. There is a 3D theatre and we just got in to watch three films ($12 with discount). Well worth it.
Outside you can walk almost right up to The Dish – its 64 metre steel paraboloid tower is impressive. This is one of Australia’s most prominent landmarks, standing impressively over surrounding farmlands – a super sophisticated piece of scientific equipment ironically in the middle of sheep paddocks! I for one didn’t realise that it was thanks to this Dish that we got images of the Moon Landing.
Day 3- 13 April 2021 – Elvis et al
Cool day but beautiful clear skies
I found a great walking track that took me around the ovals and up to the water tanks and the water treatment plant and then back around town. Excellent 10km hike, it even had hills.
Later the morning walk we drove to Bushmans Hill, the site of Parkes first gold mine. Still standing is the Bushmans Mine Chimney erected in 1895. Good views.
I walked down the Hill – Kerry had to drive – to get to the Wiradjuri Amphitheatre. First I got to a garden area, then picnic tables and then the Amphitheatre. This was opened in 2014 to provide some cultural space for the indigenous community.
Later we went to Henry Parkes Center to see Elvis, the vintage cars and Moat House replica.
The Kings Castle is a collection of Elvis’ personal artefacts owned by Greg Page, well known as the original ‘Yellow Wiggle’. The exhibition is designed to try and bring out some of the highs and lows that Elvis Presley encountered throughout his life and career. The exhibit contains many genuine artefacts from Elvis homes and items he wore or used on stage. His life history is also set out on the walls as you walk around. The first and last panel are below.
It is a really interesting exhibit, but I could not feel anything but sadness for the man. He seldom seems happy.
Parkes Motor Museum is an impressive collection of motor vehicles owned by the Parkes Antique Motor Club and represents all heritage motoring eras with up to 24 cars, 10 motorcycles and other motoring memorabilia. Items on display are either the property of individual Club Members or have been loaned from private collections. I enjoyed it because there were so many UK cars from the era that I lived there – the Humber Vogue, the Renault Dalphine, the Morris Countryman, etc. There was even a 3 wheeled Reliant! This was an impressive display – but on the small side compared to the Parkes exhibit.
There is a video of the exhibits – click here
Moat Cottage is a replica of the Moat Cottage where Australian Statesman and ‘Father of Federation’ Sir Henry Parkes (1815 – 1896) was born in Canley, Country Warwickshire, near the city of Coventry, England. The original Moat Cottage is thought to be constructed in the 17th Century and still stands.
This replica of Moat Cottage reflects the humble beginnings of Sir Henry Parkes and serves as a symbol of Australia’s oldest Sister City link between Parkes and Coventry (1938). Parkes was named in honour of the great statesman, changing its name from Bushmans to Parkes in 1873.
Only part of the house is open to the public. We also enjoyed the story of Sir Henry Parkes and his connection to the town, told via a multi media presentation in the small theatre. Being an emigrant I knew very little of this great man.
To see photos for this post, click here
To see a video of the vintage cars, click here