Parkes

Temperatures (average): 18-32C summer, 4-14C winter

Have you ever seen The Dish? This movie portrayed Australia's involvement in communicating the first television signals from the first lunar landing. And what town formed the pivot in this communication? Parkes, the home of THAT radio telescope. Since then the town's name has become synonymous with telescopes and space observatories. Ask any Australian what comes to mind when they hear the name Parkes and you will quickly discern the influence this telescope has had on the town.

Parkes is a town that is growing both in stature & in population. It has most everything you could ever need within easy reach or a short drive. If what you want is not found locally or in neighbouring towns/cities such as Orange or Dubbo then there are daily plane services to Sydney for day trips & the Country link train service is here too.

Because of where it is situated in the state of NSW, the town is being touted as an inland freight management area with new freight companies setting up businesses in the industrial area. It is also ideally situated between Melbourne & Brisbane for a new inland rail line, to compliment the existing east/west line that carries freight & the Indian Pacific passenger train.

So there is a bit going for this township. The residents feel it is a safe place to live. Will you feel the same way? Is it a place you would like to call home? Let's consider some more of the town's features.

CLIMATE

The shire can experience climatic extremes with typically hot conditions in the summer months and regular frosts in the cool winter months. Many find these conditions contribute toward a healthy lifestyle. It can't be bad if the population is increasing, can it? Don't worry too much about water since the rainfall is usually sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle.

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Annual events include:

• Elvis Revival Festival
  
  
• Annual Show Circuit
  
  
• Country Music Spectacular
  
  
• Tullamore Irish Festival
  
  
• Australian Marbles Championships
  
  
• Antique Motorcycle Rally

The Elvis Revival Festival? This really is the Elvis you all know and love. Come to town in January and you will "see" Elvis, everywhere! Here are some of the features of this unique festival:

• Look-a-like, sound-a-like, rock & roll competitions!
  
  
• Elvis Street Parade
  
  
• Elvis Feature Concert Free Outdoor Concert
  
  
• Elvis on the Green - bowls
  
  
• Elvis Lennox Private Collection
  
  
• Elvis Gospel Church Service

There is even a special train that runs from Sydney to Parkes for this festival, and guess what it is called? The Elvis Express! So brush up those blue suede shoes and get to Parkes in January.

Pioneer Park is the place to go to step back into history. This park is home to the museums, the Henry Parkes Museum, Antique Machinery Museum, and local and family history. Evidence of the town's railway past can be seen around town.

History is not for everyone. You may prefer some physical activities like sport. There are a lot of sporting events that occur throughout the year & it is also attracting some of the pre-season NRL games. There are a wide range of sports catered for, such as hockey, rugby league & union, cricket, golf, netball, swimming, little athletics, Australian rules football, tennis, bowling, as well as horse & greyhound racing.

TOWN SERVICES

Schools. There are a number of schools, including Catholic, Public & Christian. There are 4 Pre-schools, 5 Primary schools & 2 Secondary schools. A TAFE campus is also located locally.

Health. Parkes has a good size hospital. There are 3 Doctors Surgeries, 3 Dentists, 2 Chemists, 2 Optometrists. The aged population is cared for by 3 accommodation places. The feathered, four legged & furry population of Parkes is taken care of by one veterinary surgery.

Shops. Parkes boasts a very good shopping centre that is growing with the population. The main shopping centre has just about everything you need & if you can't find what you want within the main 5 or so blocks (good walking distance), then you will only have a short drive for those necessary items. The big name shops include: Woolworths, Bi Lo, IGA, Big W, Target (new bigger store opening soon), Mitre 10, Carpet Court, Furniture One. There is also businesses that cater for the agricultural side of things, mining, IT.

PARKES AREA

Other towns/villages located in the shire include Trundle, Peak Hill, Tullamore and Bogan Gate. Each of these towns has its own features. We recommend contacting Parkes Shire Tourism for more information. We hope you find them as helpful as we did.

Did we mention there is a big space observatory just to the north of town? The observatory has a visitor centre for your perusal and a small theatre. Try the sound cones just before you enter the visitor centre and be amazed at how far your voice can travel.

Want to see a map of Parkes?

ECONOMICS

Employment. Although no specific unemployment rate is available for the township, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations reports that the Parkes electorate, as of June 2006, had an unemployment rate of 4.5%. This electorate also includes Forbes.

The Northparkes Mine (gold & copper) to the north/west of town will help to keep the unemployment rate down over the next few years.

Investing. Coming soon. Search for real estate for sale or rental properties available in town.

Are there any comments you would like to see added to our town review? Any photos you would like to contribute? Please let us know.