Parkes

Pioneer Park Museum Set in a historic school and church, displays include early farm machinery and transport. The museum incorporates the collection of the previously separate Henry Parkes Historical Museum, which specialises in memorabilia from the gold rush, and includes the fascinating 1000-volume personal library of Sir Henry Parkes. Pioneer St, North Parkes; (02) 6862 3509.Motor Museum: displays of vintage and veteran vehicles and local art and craft; Cnr Bogan and Dalton sts. Memorial Hill: excellent views of the town and surrounds; Bushman St, North Parkes. Kelly Reserve: playground and picnic and barbecue facilities in bush setting; Newell Hwy, North Parkes. Bushmans Hill Reserve: take the walking trail to a lookout, passing mining relics and a memorial to those who lost their lives in local mines; Newell Hwy, North Parkes. Tyndalls Lavender Farm: visitors welcome to watch distillation process; also includes shop; Wellington Rd. Self-guide historical town walk and drive: highlights include the police station (1875), post office (c. 1880) and Balmoral, one of the town's oldest homes, noted for its iron lace, Italian marble and stained-glass windows; brochure from visitor centre.

Parkes CSIRO Radio Telescope Commissioned in 1961, the telescope is the largest and oldest of the 8 antennae making up the Australian Telescope National Facility. It has been used for globally important work such as identifying the first quasar in 1963, mapping important regions of the Milky Way, and tracking the NASA Apollo moon missions. It was most famously instrumental in transmitting images of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon to the world. The story of the events on the ground at Parkes is portrayed in the film The Dish (2000). The visitor centre explains the uses of the telescope and has 3D displays. Inquiries (02) 6861 1777; 23 km N.Condobolin This country town is where the first Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll has his roots. A lookout on Reservoir Hill gives views over the town, which is at the junction of 2 rivers and surrounded by red-soil plains. Mt Tilga, 8 km N, is said to be the geographical centre of NSW, and Gum Bend Lake, 5 km W, is a good spot for fishing and watersports. 95 km W.

Macusani Alpaca Farm and Shop: includes workshops throughout the year; Tichborne, 10 km S. Peak Hill: working goldmine with lookout offering views of Parkes; 48 km N.

Lithgow to Mudgee 180 km

Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out more

---

Wagga Wagga 229 km

In my early teens I lived in Wagga Wagga for about three years and spent many hours fishing from a kayak on the Murrumbidgee and at Lake Albert. The river held excellent numbers of redfin, and they were of good size, so... Find out more

---

Picnicking around Dubbo 107 km

Throw a rug down in the 167-hectare Burrendong Botanic Gardens and Arboretum near Wellington, and take in the fragrance of an estimated 2500 native plant species.... Find out more

---

Wine-tasting - Mudgee 145 km

Mudgee is probably best known for its vineyards and wine, and there are a growing number of organic wineries, including Botobolar, Lowe Family Wines, Martins Hill and Thistle Hill. Broombee also has organic fruit and... Find out more

---

Ice-climbing 209 km

In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out more

---

Picnicking in the Blue Mountains 214 km

Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out more

---

Star-gazing - Coonabarabran 223 km

Because of its combination of clear skies, altitude and distance from city lights, Coonabarabran is the astronomy capital of Australia. There are various ways to explore space here, from simply gazing skyward with a pair... Find out more

---

Birdwatching in Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands 229 km

Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands are Ramsar-listed, and among nearly 200 birds spotted here are brolgas, black-winged stilts and painted snipes. Fivebough has 5 kilometres of walking tracks, with bird hides along the... Find out more

---

Koala-spotting - Coonabarabran 231 km

Coonabarabran is home to one of the healthiest koala colonies in the state, and the solitary mammals are often seen in and around the town. Try the Porcupine Reserve and while there check out the view over the Liverpool... Find out more

---

Koala-spotting - Narrandera 233 km

Koalas have thrived at Narrandera since they were released in 1972. At Narrandera Nature Reserve you should be able to spot a few.... Find out more

---

Dish Cafe

Made famous by the film The Dish, Parkes’ historic telescope is also host to a large visitor centre, housing, among other things, this lovely little cafe serving home-baked lunches and morning or afternoon teas to... Find out more

---

Parkes International Restaurant

Located at the Parkes International Comfort Inn, this restaurant and cocktail bar serves fantastic, great-value food. Choose from the diverse à la carte menu and blackboard specials. Bookings are essential on... Find out more

---

Station Hotel

The open-plan, modern bistro and bar here serve contemporary dishes, and imported beers and cocktails, in a casually chic setting. Sleek candlelit tables line the curved glass wall and moss-green club chairs invite... Find out more

---

William Bull Brewery 227 km

The high-profile, family-run De Bortoli Wines diversifying into craft beer has been one of the longest-running stories around. In the late 1990s they acquired a brewhouse that originally belonged to the ... Find out more

---

Terarra Creek camping area 42 km

To get to this sole camping area in the park, follow Escort Way from Eugowra and keep an eye out for an NPWS sign pointing to a dirt road. The campground is a little under 5 km from the park entrance. The road is 2WD,... Find out more

---

Wanda Wandong camping area 47 km

Let the children run free in this spacious, grassy camping ground, 700 m off the Tomingley–Obley Rd, 3 km north of Tomingley. This is the best section of the park to visit for 2WD vehicles towing caravans; even so,... Find out more

---

Greenbah camping area 59 km

Bring your binoculars and your bird-identification guide to this camping area next to Greenbah Creek, as it’s a top spot for birdwatching. To get here, turn off Baldry–Peak Hill Rd onto Sawpit Gully Trail... Find out more

---

Wallaby picnic and camping area 77 km

Take a walk along the Wallaby Walking Track (4 km, 1 hr, medium difficulty) and you may catch a glimpse of a red-necked wallaby or swamp wallaby. Alternatively, sneak out at night with a torch and see if you can catch... Find out more

---

Canobolas Forest Park 78 km

This is a peaceful picnicking and camping area surrounded by a 60-year-old pine forest. There are picnic tables, walking tracks, and trout in the creek nearby. It’s 20 km south of Orange via Cadia Rd then Four Mile... Find out more

---

Federal Falls camping area 78 km

The road in to Federal Falls camping area isn’t suitable for caravans or camper trailers, although 2WD vehicles are permitted. To get here, follow Pinnacle Rd from Orange and turn onto Towac Way. There are a number... Find out more

---

Holy Camp camping area 86 km

This is a nice, shaded spot 15 km west of Grenfell via Holy Camp Rd. From the camp you can do the Euladrie walk, which follows an old logging road to the base of the escarpment and then climbs steeply to Peregrine... Find out more

---

Ben Halls camping area 88 km

The grassy unpowered campsites here are set beside historic Seatons Farm, and just a half-hour walk from Ben Halls Cave. The farm is a well-preserved Depression-era farm, with interpretive signs that give a... Find out more

---

Canobolas Caravan Park 90 km

This is a friendly and well-appointed caravan park on Bathurst Rd in Orange. There are shaded powered and unpowered tent sites as well as self-contained deluxe and standard cabins. Nearby attractions include wine-tasting... Find out more

---

Bakers Shaft Reserve 92 km

This camping area is around 20 km west of the historic town of Carcoar. Follow the Mid-Western Hwy through Mandurama, and about 10 km north you’ll come across Burnt Yards; take Bakes Rd then Junction Park Rd. This... Find out more

---

Spicer Caravan Park 1 km

This is a budget-priced, council-owned park with good basic facilities, about 2 km from the town centre. It is in a quiet spot, off the main highway, about 16 km from the Parkes satellite dish. Bookings are required in... Find out more

---

Apex Riverside Tourist Park 33 km

The park is about 3 km from the town centre on a picturesque bend of the Lachlan River, which some sites overlook. It is managed on behalf of Apex and is of good quality.... Find out more

---

BIG4 Forbes Holiday Park 33 km

This is a very neat owner-operated park, about 2 km from the centre of town on Cowra Road. The park caters predominantly for tourists and has good amenities and most facilities. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

---

Forbes River Meadows Caravan Park 33 km

Located about 2 km south of Forbes along the highway, this owner-operated park is a convenient and ideal overnight stop. It has shady trees, large expanses of lawn and spotless amenities. We stay here when passing by.... Find out more

---

Peak Hill Caravan Park 46 km

This owner-operated park offers a range of accommodation and is ideal for an overnight stay. It is a small, budget-priced park, located off the main highway and just a short walk from the town centre. The owners supply... Find out more

---

Colour City Caravan Park 88 km

This is a council park with good basic facilities in a quiet, off-highway position, about 2 km north of the city centre, adjoining the showgrounds. It is good value at a budget price. Bookings are recommended all year... Find out more

---

Wellington Caves Holiday Complex 91 km

Relax and let a few days slip by at this spacious park, located 6 km south of the town centre alongside the Wellington Caves, a popular tourist attraction. It is a quality park and makes an ideal stopover. Bookings are... Find out more

---

Wellington Valley Caravan Park 96 km

On the Mitchell Highway on the eastern approach to Wellington this older park has been renovated and transformed. The convenient drive-through sites and grassy camping areas are a feature.... Find out more

---

Wellington Riverside Tourist Park 98 km

This is a well-maintained park on the banks of the Macquarie River, close to the highway and just a short walk to the centre of town. The park has good facilities at a budget price. Bookings are required at peak times... Find out more

---

BIG4 Dubbo Parklands 105 km

This is a very good park at the southern entrance to the city, the closest to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The place has a large selection of accommodation and very good amenities. Winter months can be very busy as... Find out more

---

Kadina B&B

Kadina offers traditional B&B accommodation with a generous helping of country warmth and hospitality. There are two comfortable guest rooms, one offering both a queen and single bed, and both have their own... Find out more

---

The Old Parkes Convent

Once upon a time, this Federation-era two-storey building housed the Sisters of Mercy boarding students. Today it is a quaint, rustic B&B in the heart of Parkes, offering two self-contained, air-conditioned... Find out more

---

Clonturkle Sanctuary 158 km

Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out more

---

Jenolan Cabins 186 km

These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out more

---

Dargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 196 km

At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out more

---

Woolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 202 km

Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out more

---

Kanimbla View, Blackheath 203 km

Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out more

---

Jemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 207 km

One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out more

---

Old Leura Dairy 210 km

This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out more

---

Bunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 216 km

Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out more

---

Wollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 216 km

These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out more

---

Billabong Creek Rest Area 9 km

23 km N of Forbes (R) or 10 km S of Parkes (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 12.531 E148 07.473 ... Find out more

---

Forbes Rest Area 32 km

South side of town Large area on the riverbank 500 metres north-west of the highway past the Forbes Lake Motel. Good shade. Facilities at adjacent day use area. GPS: S33 23.292 E148 00.110... Find out more

---

Tomingley South Rest Area 60 km

64 km N of Parkes (R) or 56 km S of Dubbo (L) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 35.698 E148 13.176 ... Find out more

---

Molong Park Area 65 km

South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 05.966 E148 52.297... Find out more

---

Kingsley Fairborough Park Area 68 km

30 km NW of Orange (R) or 4 km SE of Molong (L) Small grassed area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 07.26 E148 54.31  ... Find out more

---

Tomingley Creek Rest Area 69 km

74 km NE of Parkes (L) or 46 km SW of Dubbo (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 31.283 E148 16.763  ... Find out more

---

Bell River Rest Area 71 km

23 km N of Molong (R) or 42 km S of Wellington (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 54.712 E148 53.429  ... Find out more

---

Two Mile Creek Rest Area 76 km

32 km N of Molong (L) or 33 km S of Wellington (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 50.029 E148 54.404... Find out more

---

Gamboola Rest Area 78 km

17 km NW of Orange (L) or 17 km SE of Molong (R) Small area just off the highway. Reasonable shade. GPS: S33 09.44 E149 00.36... Find out more

---

Piney Range Rest Area 78 km

82 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 22 km W of Grenfell (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 48.917 E147 57.204  ... Find out more

---

Bogolong Rest Area 79 km

95 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 9 km W of Grenfell (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 50.982 E148 05.447   ... Find out more

---

Grenfell West Rest Area 84 km

102 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 2 km W of Grenfell (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 53.425 E148 08.743 ... Find out more

---

Ben Halls Cave Camp Area 88 km

T/O 99 km E of West Wyalong (R) or 5 km W of Grenfell (L) Large open area located 26 kilometres south-west of the highway via Back Piney Range Road and Weddin View Road in a pleasant natural bush setting in Weddin... Find out more

---

Tyagong Creek Rest Area 89 km

31 km E of Grenfell (R) or 24 km W of Cowra (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.096 E148 27.977 ... Find out more

---

Cowra Park Area 91 km

Middle of town Large parking area opposite the information centre. GPS: S33 50.200 E148 40.919 ... Find out more

---

Ramage Park Rest Area 91 km

5 km NE of Cowra (R) or 104 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. GPS: S33 49.787 E148 42.614   ... Find out more

---

Wellington South Rest Area 92 km

56 km N of Molong (R) or 9 km S of Wellington (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 37.413 E148 56.885... Find out more

---

Marsden Rest Area 93 km

36 km NE of West Wyalong (R) or 68 km W of Grenfell (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 45.846 E147 31.126   ... Find out more

---

Panai Rest Area 95 km

106 km NE of Parkes (L) or 14 km SW of Dubbo (R) Secluded area just off the highway among some large trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 19.800 E148 30.504  ... Find out more

---

Narromine East Rest Area 99 km

36 km W of Dubbo (R) or 4 km E of Narromine (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.618 E148 16.179... Find out more

---

Geurie North Rest Area 102 km

24 km NW of Wellington (L) or 27 km SE of Dubbo (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 23.306 E148 48.978... Find out more

---

Fullers Lane Rest Area 105 km

60 km NE of Cowra (R) or 49 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 35.890 E149 09.927 ... Find out more

---

Carcoar Dam Camp Area 107 km

T/O 62 km NE of Cowra (R) or 47 km SW of Bathurst (L) Large camp area located 2 kilometres south of the highway on the shores of the dam. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 36.717 E149 10.864 ... Find out more

---

Dubbo West Rest Area 109 km

8 km W of Dubbo (R) or 32 km E of Narromine (L) Small area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 12.243 E148 32.358 ... Find out more

---

Blayney Park Area 110 km

West side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 32.263 E149 15.254... Find out more

---

Macquarie Wood Camp Area 110 km

T/O 28 km W of Bathurst (R) or 28 km E of Orange (L) Large open grassed area located 2 kilometres north of the highway among some large trees. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S33 24.34... Find out more

---

Terramungamine Camp Area 114 km

T/O 8 km N of Dubbo (L) or 58 km S of Gilgandra (R) Large area 4 kilometres west of the highway on the bank of the river. GPS: S32 10.124 E148 35.198 ... Find out more

---

Brocklehurst Rest Area 115 km

9 km N of Dubbo (L) or 57 km S of Gilgandra (R) Large area just off the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 10.299 E148 37.151   ... Find out more

---

The Rocks Rest Area 117 km

20 km W of Bathurst (R) or 36 km E of Orange (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S33 25.56 E149 22.48  ... Find out more

---

Wyalong Park Area 123 km

West side of town Small parking area just off the highway. GPS: S33 55.440 E147 14.127 ... Find out more

---