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Top 18 things to do and attractions in Parkes
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedOct 4, 2025
Updated • updatedOct 4, 2025
Many of us love traveling on the Wanderlog team, so naturally we’re always on the hunt to find the most popular spots anytime we travel somewhere new. With favorites like Henry Parkes Centre, Parkes Observatory, and Dish Cafe and more, get ready to experience the best places in Parkes.
Visiting Parkes? See our Parkes Trip Planner.Why trust us
We scoured through the internet and read through 15 reputable sites and blogs like The Crazy Tourist and Visiting Australia. We gathered all the results in one place and ranked them by how many times they were mentioned so you know you're getting the best of the best. Just look for the "mentioned by" tags on each place.
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Other best of categories in Parkes
Restaurants
Attractions
Cafes
Family restaurants
Museums
Specialty Museums
Located on the Newell Highway in Parkes, the Henry Parkes Centre is a comprehensive tourism complex that houses four museums and a visitor information center. The first group of museums includes the Parkes Motor Museum, showcasing a diverse collection of well-preserved vehicles from different eras, and the Kings Castle Elvis Exhibit, featuring an extensive display of Elvis Presley memorabilia.
A great little stop over, greeted by a lovely lady filling us in on all the goings on related to the Elvis festival. Elvis rhino out the front and a new feature, a replica of Gracelands Gates. Stop in for a photo and see what's happening in Parkes and the surrounding area.
Michelle F — Google review
If you're an ELVIS or vintage cars fan stop in! Popped it to get a bumper sticker and was met with an amazing collection of Elvis memorabilia, apparently the biggest in the southern hemisphere! Lots of real items from Elvis, even left with a keep sake collectable a piece of the kings hair! Past the Elvis room is a garage full of all types of vintage cars!
Awesome, Elvis Display Was Very Interesting, Plus Vintage Car and Bikes, Didn't Have A Look At The Pioneer Museum, Should Have But Think I've Seen My Fair Share Of Them Of Late In My Travels
Great place for info. Loved Elvis museum & Car museum.
Short doco on Henry Parkes was very good.
Visited the Henry Parkes Centre to see the car collection. Access via the Tourism Information Centre. Cars restored and well displayed with interesting information boards. Also motorcycles and automotive memorabilia on display. Reasonable prices.
Parkes Museum, what a great place with such a variety of exhibits, just a treasure trove. Spent at least 3 hrs here, just Soo much to see.
This place is for you if your a Big Fan of The legend King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley.
Worth the visit, easy parking, toilets available.
We enjoyed the free video about Henry Parkes.
We paid to to do the Elvis and car museum.
We didn't pay or do the historical village.
66-78 Peak Hill Rd, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Observatory
Research institute
CSIRO - Parkes Observatory, also known as "The Dish," is an iconic symbol of Australian science and a significant player in global space exploration. As the first fully-steerable large antenna in the Southern Hemisphere, it played a crucial role in receiving television images of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Situated about 20km north of Parkes, New South Wales, this colossal radio telescope has been operational since 1961 and continues to be an essential piece of equipment.
If you’re even slightly interested in space, science, or history, Parkes Observatory is an absolute must-visit. Known affectionately as “The Dish,” this iconic radio telescope has played a major role in space exploration, including helping relay live television of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The site is incredibly well-maintained and offers a great balance between scientific significance and visitor-friendly facilities.
The Visitors Centre is informative and thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of engaging exhibits explaining how radio telescopes work and the important discoveries made here. There’s also a short documentary playing regularly that gives great historical context and makes you appreciate just how important this place is.
The outdoor area is just as impressive—standing under the towering 64-metre dish is truly awe-inspiring. You can get great photos and there’s plenty of signage explaining what you’re looking at. The staff and volunteers are knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about sharing the Observatory’s story.
The cafe on site, Dish Café, is also a lovely spot to relax with a coffee or meal while taking in the view of the telescope. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating and the food is surprisingly good for a tourist spot—try the scones if you get a chance!
Overall, Parkes Observatory is a fascinating blend of science, history, and natural beauty. It’s well worth the drive and a great stop whether you’re traveling solo, with kids, or in a group. Highly recommended!
DaRcAssan Z — Google review
In your travels North and South up and down the Newell Hwy if your never stopped and taken the time to divert off the hwy to visit the Parks Observatory you are doing yourself a disservice. If your got kids it is especially worth while. Only a hand full of Km north of Parks and about 6km down the side road will get you there. Free entry with most of activities designed and aimed at the kids around 9-14yrs. Lots of photos and interesting information panels for the adults and hands on activities for the kids. The gift shop is A1 with good prices for a wide variety of interesting items to buy. The actual 'dish' is huge and most impressive and you will be amazed. It is still in operational use presently. There is a guided tour available but we didn't do that. This side divert will easily chew up a couple of hours and both you and the kids will appreciate getting out of the car far a very interesting tourist attraction. Got a Cafe there as well. Free and ample close by parking including long vehicles and free entry. Make sure you visit the outside two opposing dishes 70mts apart where if you face into one dish and whisper your partner can hear what you say facing into the other dish. All in all a great little place to visit that will consume no more than two hours of your time and break up your drive. Highly recommend.
This is my 3rd time here and it just blows my mind.
Lots to see, but unfortunately the cafe/ food is now closed, very disappointed as i would have liked a coffee while enjoy the structure rotate today.
Must must must do everybody!!
Great 3D movie to inform the public about our planet & solar system. Great displays and of course a view of the dish. Plenty of gifts & merchandise with space in mind. A cafe available. Movie was a cost, but everything else was free to view.
Great place to look around to explore and learn some history. If you haven't seen the movie The Dish, I suggest you watch it and learn more about what it does. It's free to go in and check everything out. The whisper dishes out the front are great. You start whispering in them, and the other person over at the other didh can hear you as though you were standing beside them. Awesome place to visit
Great stopover on the way to Dubbo! We saw the 3S experience which was only $16pp and we didnt even know Australia had a Observatory like this! Such a great experience
Nice little stop on the way through NSW.
Interesting information center and GOOD doughnuts!
Worth the stop if you are passing through or if you are in to space exploration and the moon landings!
The museum is cool, they have the universes baby picture. My brother is jealous and wants to also visit.
585 Telescope Rd, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
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Temporarily Closed
affordable
Cafe
Breakfast restaurant
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Nestled in a picturesque location, Dish Cafe is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy breathtaking views of the iconic radio telescope. This spacious and welcoming cafe features ample seating both indoors and outdoors, making it an ideal spot to relax with friends or family. The menu may be limited, but it boasts delightful offerings like freshly-baked scones served with real whipped cream and jam that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Visited this place during our road trip from Queensland. Decided to have a cuppa.
It wasn't many choices at the time, but their scones and jam caught our eyes.
The coffee was perfect, the scones were warm fluffy and light, the jam was REALLY nice!! And YES, they use real whipped cream!! Not the cream out of a can.
Really enjoyed our time here. Plenty of seating area inside or outside. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the price was a bit stiff but its worth with the view of the dish.
Overall was very nice. Highly recommend this place😃👌
Julet J — Google review
Looking forward to a good lunch at an iconic spot we were disappointed to find the cafe hot with the doors open, flies in and no air conditioning, menu extremely limited and expensive and the food so awful it couldn't be finished The photos are of the $15 bacon and egg roll with hollandaise A picture tells a thousand words 🤢 Also of note garden closed and portable toilets in use as they were also closed 😶 The famous radio telescope itself...fabulous 👌
We decided to have breakfast at the cafe to extend our visit to the Dish and get more views of the Dish. So glad we did. Super nice, friendly and fast service. They even made a special small yoghurt and fruit for me. My son got the pancakes and they were delicious. We are pancake aficionados so that says a lot. Great tea.
All the baked goods look amazing, so hard to choose. We came for breakfast with a dish view, had eggs on toast. No picture because I ate them down before i thought of it. Gluten free bread options. Good coffee. Well worth going into this cafe while visiting the dish.
Great spot to view the dish with some food and drinks. The coffee was average but the pies were really good.
Didn't actually go to the cafe but did fo for a gander at the Dish which was brilliant. The large array of hands of activities, lectures and the main event itself were all well worth the visit!
Gourmet pie and delicious salad, hubbie had the Bacon And Egg Roll which he rated highly, scones with fresh cream and lovely jam were also yummo, great coffee. Have wanted to visit foe years, so glad we finally went
Nice place for academic tour, tiny spaces for enormous possibilities to discover something new!
Good parking area and comfy vibe for the natural scene! It’s nice to see the dish actual working and figure science methods with practical experience!
476 Telescope Rd, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Museum
History Museums
The Parkes Aviation Museum (HARS) is situated at Parkes Airport, housed in a former RAAF hangar with a rich history as a World War Two air force base. The museum boasts an impressive collection of aircraft exhibits including the Bell AH-1 Huey Cobra, De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, and Convair 580. Unlike traditional museums, visitors are encouraged to get up close to the aircraft and even climb aboard some of them.
This museum exceeded all expectations. The best thing about the museum is that you can actually climb into and explore the exhibits at your leisure. Most museums these days are limited to look, don't touch. It was eye opening to experience the cramped conditions that many pilots endure and great fun to crawl through the fascinating interiors. So many dials and switches to play with!! Was particularly chuffed to see (and touch!) one of the engines from Mad Max 3, and to be able to sit in the Cobra military helicopter. Huge props to the staff member who was knowledgeable, laid back and friendly - and on top of all things, a non-paid volunteer giving up his time on a 40 degree day.
BB — Google review
Introduction was very informative when entering. Take your time and live in the moment, try to imagine the times when these aircraft were flown. Good display inside & out. We spent a few hours wandering around and enjoyed it all.
Such a great stop over on the way back home to Melbourne! You get to not only see the aircraft's but also go in some of them. There are no crowds and you can take your time. The museum is only open on thursdays and Sundays, we went on a Sunday but hopefully they can open more. Great experience!
Was driving past the entrance of the museum and saw it was open being public holidays (Tuesday) thought I'd have a look so did a uei. 15$ well spent with a good assortment of aircraft to look at and enter. Mick gave me a partial tour as I was the only visitor and very knowledgeable he is in all the history of the aircraft. Stop in and you won't be disappointed
Not a bad place, yes it has a few aircraft but felt more like a junk yard to be honest. But at times junk yards can be interesting.
V friendly and knowledgeable staff. The two gentlemen gave us a lot of information and we're v patient with the kids. The uniqueness of this museum is the kids and the grown-up kids can all get inside the planes to see what it feels like to sit in the pilot's seat. Massive helicopter and planes. Honestly it's best place for kids who love planes, helicopters or fighter jets. They have it all. It's much easier and best recommended for only kids to get into the pilot's seat. Not so easy for grown-ups unless you are of a small build. Loved it and loved the fact how much my kids enjoyed getting inside the planes. There is a flat fee per family and when we visited it was only $10 (4 adults and 2 children).
Excellent work done by the two gentlemen as well who maintain the facility and give a guided tour.
Highly recommend a visit to this museum. You won't be disappointed.
A small but great collection of aircraft with super friendly and enthusiastic staff (local high school history teacher). One of the really great things about the museum is the ability to walk through the aircraft and see them from the inside. The collection apparently started as spares for the air museum in Albion Park, but grew big enough to be its own thing. This is an experience that are are unlikely to get anywhere else so well worth dropping in when you are in the area.
I’ve been to a few plane museums and this is by far the best one I’ve been to. Kids will love it. You can sit in the cockpits of quite a few of the choppers and planes. Allow at least 1 hour
Airport, Muzyczuk Dr, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Memorial park
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Memorial Hill Lookout, located just a few blocks east of Parkes' CBD, offers stunning 360-degree views of the city and the surrounding farmlands of the Central West region. The lookout is crowned by a striking white memorial tower that serves as a prominent landmark in town. Visitors can also explore the World War II Bofurs anti-aircraft gun originally located at Bushmans Dam.
So very impressed at this site.
Quite simple but very moving and in a scenic vantage point that overlooks Parkes and surrounding districts.
This 33 meter high Shrine Of Remembrance is fitting to pay respects to all the locals who participated in conflict
Also is lit up at night which would be quite a sight to see under the night skies.
Good parking. And a walk which I didn’t do but looked interesting.
Angela B — Google review
What a great place for such a memorial...the views are fantastic.
Loved the surrounding gardens.
Great spot to drive up and see Parkes from a vantage point. The memorial was clean and well maintained. Plenty of parking and we also found it easy to park with our caravan. Mind you it was a weekday. Parkes is a great little town and to see it from another point of view was terrific. Definitely worth a stop. Would be great spot to come and sit of the grassed area and have lunch.
Lovely war memorial, but little views it is surrounded by trees. Walkway down but we didn't use them.
Lovely place to visit. Well maintained grounds and awesome views
Beautifully designed and maintained memorial. Definitely worth a visit and beautiful views for photos
You'll get to see a nice view of Parkes from above. :) You'll also see the airport runway as well
Great spot to check out the views of the town, beautiful surroundings garden.
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6Parkes Elvis Festival Support
Mentioned on
Event management company
The Parkes Elvis Festival is an exhilarating five-day celebration that takes place every January, perfectly timed to honor the birthday of the legendary Elvis Presley. Nestled in the charming town of Parkes, NSW, this vibrant festival features over 200 unique themed performances scattered across various venues throughout the township. From delightful early morning breakfasts to lively rock 'n' roll dancing that lasts into the night, there's something for everyone at this unforgettable event.
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Monuments & Statues
Nestled in the bustling heart of the Central Business District, the Sir Henry Parkes Statue stands as a tribute to one of Australia's most influential political figures. Serving multiple terms as Premier of New South Wales from 1872 to 1891, Parkes earned his title as the 'Father of Federation' for his relentless advocacy for uniting Australia’s six colonies. His legacy includes significant contributions such as promoting an extensive rail network and opposing convict transportation.
The town of Parkes was named after Sir Henry Parkes (1815 -1896), who was a Premier of NSW. He is sometimes called the "Father of Federation".
This statue stands in the centre of Parkes, at the junction of Clarinda Street, Welcome Street and Dalton Street.
Roger P — Google review
A befitting tribute to one of the key "Fathers of Federation".
The statue of Sir Henry Parkes is located in a prominent position in the central business district of Parkes. There are small water jets around the base of the statue that stream water up a short height from the ground.
The actual statue itself depicts Sir Henry Parkes in a pose, that one could argue, expresses the great foresight he had in pushing for the former colonies to federate together as the Commonwealth of Australia.
A landmark that you can't miss, and a great photo spot.
It that much to do but good place to honour the Father of Federation
A very nice big statue in the centre of town.
Really nice place so peaceful.
A must visit if in Parkes great friends love the old stuff
If you appreciate Australian history, Sir Henry Parkes statue is another great Australian statue to see.
Amazingly crafted statue. Great place for a photo with Sir Henry Parkes!
Park
Nature & Parks
Cooke Park is a well-maintained green space located at the southern end of Parkes CBD. It features mature hardwood trees that create a picturesque setting, especially during autumn when the leaves turn golden and brown. The park offers amenities such as covered BBQ areas, picnic facilities, an off-leash dog park, and play equipment for children. Visitors can enjoy an idyllic view of Bushman's dam and wildlife while taking a leisurely stroll or having a relaxing picnic.
Cooke Park is a lovely, family-friendly place which is located at Clarinda St & Short St Parkes NSW 2870.
After enjoying an overnight stay in Young, we had driven to Grenfell & onto Forbes & then onto Parkes, where we intended to stop off for a short break 😀
To our delight, we had arrived in Parkes where the Elvis Festival Street parade was in full swing.
We couldn't get over the fact that Cooke Park was one of the major meeting places where the Elvis Tribute Artists performed on the state of the art stage.
What a lovely place to enjoy the atmosphere & excellent food outlets that cater to the masses of people who were in Parkes enjoying the Parkes Elvis Festival.
Cooke Park is a well established public area with plenty of shaded areas & toilet facilities, which also provide wheelchair access 👍
There was plenty of green space available if you were having a picnic 😀
Dogs 🐕 are welcome, but it is advisable to have them on a leash as there is no fencing 😉
My wife & I were impressed by the security staff on the day that maintained a great service at Cooke Park during this busy period in Parkes.
The street parade was a definite highlight & success for everyone who was in attendance.
The classic cars, what a treat, & the Elvis impersonators were outstanding, the Pricillas, who were beautiful dressed for the occasion 😀
What a wonderful nostalgic time we had at Cooke Park watching all the Elvis Festival tribute & street parade 😀
John O — Google review
Excellent setup by the Parkes Council for the Elvis Festival.
A relatively small park with some interesting sculptures and points of interest. Some shade from the trees and a few small picnic benches and areas. Quite close to the busy roads, and dogs are allowed on leash within the park.
This park is awesome. The leaves are falling and it is beautiful. Ducks are swimming or sleeping with their heads under their wings on the side of the water. The leaves on the ground are thick and fun for children to run through and throw. The conservatory is wonderful as a greenhouse filled with blooms
Beautiful, lush, green park, which is well maintained with lovely water fountains. We enjoyed a nice stop-over picnic lunch here on our travels. 🌳
decent park in the town of parks, and there are so many restaurants nearby .Just grab a takeaway and enjoy in the park..
The best park in the area, The Elvis Festival is held here daily over 4 days.
A nice retreat on a hot day and relax while having a picnic or just having take away food from one of many food outlets close by.
Good size park. Not fenced. Restrooms clean and functional.
Clarinda St & Short St, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Observatory
The CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, also known as "The Dish," is a 64-metre steerable radio telescope that played a crucial role in transmitting live images of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Built in 1961 by Welsh physicist Edward George Bowen, it has become a symbol of Australian scientific progress and is now heritage-listed. The visitor center offers an immersive experience with a 3D cinema, historical information about the Apollo 11 mission, and cool souvenirs.
A great place to visit, there is a store you can buy souvenirs, a 3D theatre that shows a short documentary about the dish and what it has explored. And many other fun things to do on site. With a sound dish you can whisper into and hear your friend on the other side of a field. Overall had a great time here
Jesse C — Google review
An interesting place to visit, the visitors centre is small but has a lot to look at. The cafe was not in operation when we visited.
Great little excursion just 25 mins out of Parkes. Fun puzzles for the kids and big kids to play with, adults may struggle too! Can easily spend an hour or 2 here, especially if you do the 3D immersion session.
My kids loved this experience and it was so great to watch the telescope move around. We’re all now wanting to know more about astrophysics and have a deeper appreciation for science. The food in the cafe was amazing. The kids also had fun whispering into the small telescopes in the garden.
Must visit in Parkes. Free entry.
if you are around dubbo or Parks or passing nearby , it's a most go .. absolutely amazing.
you can spend good 2 hours in here and the disc cafe servers amazing food and coffee.
spare sometime in 3D theatre 🎥 watching amazing universe..
really a good place to visit in western Plains.
telescopes🔭🔭
Amazing place to visit. Dish, visitor centre, 3D cinema, really cool souvenirs and many more is what you need to expect. I would recommend to get yourself familiar with Apollo 11 mission before coming here. And watch movie The Dish same night after visit or next day.
Wonderful historic place that is still functioning as radio telescope.
Brilliant! I've wanted to come here since I was a kid back in the 70s. Finally I got here and I loved every minute of it. Do bring your kids here. They will love it too.
Telescope Rd, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Park
Bushmans Hill Reserve, located north of the CBD in Parkes, is a historic site that was once home to one of the town's earliest gold mines. The remnants of this bygone era can still be seen today, including a preserved square chimney stack. Additionally, visitors can explore walking tracks leading to the top of the hill and enjoy views of Parkes from above.
It's a really good place to just
Let you children go and run wild great on sunny days for the kids .
Allan S — Google review
A beautiful position in Parkes with district views but the park has fallen into complete disrepair - dead trees, weeds, broken paths and weeks of rubbish.
Great walking paths
Chimney and a few brick walls is all that remains
Mostly a open park and that's OK but the remaining historic structures have no signs indicating their history and no clear parking.
Yowies, Needles, very scary at night, watch out for drugged neanderthals .!!! Otherwise check it out and clean it up before the children play there. !!! The children love playing and picnicking there. !!!
Nice little place. Found it very calming and welcoming. Certainly worth a look.
Nice walking path. Will be better once the upgrade is finished. Nice place to have a picnic
81 High St, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
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Mountain peak
Memorial Hill is home to the impressive 33-meter high Shrine of Remembrance, offering fantastic views and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can also explore The Big Fish Fossil Hut at Peak Hill nearby. The area provides ample parking, under cover seating, and tables for a comfortable visit. Additionally, there are some short walks and historical cannons to discover in this picturesque location.
Fantastic views, few small walks, a few cannons, plenty of parking, under cover seating and tables.
Lyn W — Google review
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Sites
Monuments & Statues
The Parkes War Memorial, completed in 1949, stands as a prominent 33-meter high structure on Memorial Hill. It offers sweeping views of the town and its surroundings. Visitors can take leisurely walks around the memorial and enjoy picnics in Rotary Park. The monument itself features a tall fluted column made of reinforced concrete, surrounded by a low fence with flagpoles at each corner.
Great lookout over Parkes.
Educational on history for kids
Peter M — Google review
Pretty good place for an overview of Parkes.
Public toilets and picnic tables
One of those compass things that points to places and says how far away they are
So
E of the trees obstruct the view a bit but the cenotaph is well proportioned 🏅🎖🏅
Nice, quiet spot to just sit and reflect
Highest point in town, good for a goosey gander around.
The town has done a great job in maintaining and improving the monument and the grounds surrounding, sweeping views of the district. Absolutely worth a visit.
Appropriately located on the highest point of town.
A place to reflect and be grateful that we are privileged to enjoy the serene views in peace.
Nice place to take a feed and have a quiet place with a view
Well maintained and informative with a little memorial garden walk and the best views in Parkes
Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Park
Kelly Reserve is a serene public park surrounding the Bushmans Dam reservoir, offering typical park amenities such as picnic tables, covered barbecue areas, and an off-leash dog park. The reserve also features unique monuments like the Elvis Wall of Fame, honoring Australian music legends. Visitors can enjoy various facilities including playground equipment, outdoor gym areas, and wheelchair swings. The area provides ample space for relaxation and recreation with opportunities to observe ducks in the dam and explore a small sculpture park nearby.
Lovely kiddy area with water games. Adult gyms. Nice water reserve. Across the road was Bushmans Historic heart smart walk so grade 4 or 5
Sue B — Google review
Loved it :) Went for a morning walk. Was peaceful
Lovely place to stop for lunch and to stretch the legs. Has lots of playground equipment including a wheelchair swing. Also has 2 outdoor gym areas. Lots of undercover tables and bbq. Lots of tables around the grass area. Heaps of space. Ducks in the dam. Clean toilet block. RV dump point. Room for caravan parking on the road beside the reserve. Well done Parkes.
Great Park with interesting play area featuring water play, climbing gear, outdoor gym equipment clean toilets and top barbque and picnic area. Dog area nearby. Toilets close at 1930
A good spot to stop when travelling through. Everything we needed with a dog park, amenities open at 6am and even a coffee shop next to the I formation centre.
Awesome exercise equiptment, playground for kids, dog park, tap, toilets, nice green grass.
Stopped and checked out the train and then spent a few hours resting overnight on my epic EV roadtrip in my Polestar - safe place with good toilets that are locked overnight.
Really enjoyable place for a stroll and cup of coffee. Great to sit on the grass under the trees, walk the river boardwalk or stroll through the small sculpture park on the other side of the foot bridge. (Some ore would be great)
14Forbes
Mentioned on
Gift shop
Nestled along the picturesque banks of the Lachlan River, Forbes is an ideal destination for a delightful day trip, conveniently located just under thirty minutes southwest of Parkes. This charming town invites visitors to explore its rich 19th-century history through a leisurely walking tour. One highlight is the stunning Italianate Post Office, which dates back to 1881 and showcases Forbes' architectural heritage.
1 Glover St, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia
affordable
Pub
Fine dining restaurant
Function room facility
Restaurant
The Railway Hotel & Hart Bar is a unique pub experience that offers an extensive menu, specialty drinks, and exceptional customer service. Whether you're in the mood for morning coffee, after-work cocktails, or beers while watching sports, this place has you covered with its main bar, sports bar, and beer garden spaces. The gaming room features the latest TAB facilities including Trackside and Keno. This Australian gastropub-style eatery provides a casual dining experience.
Fast efficient service with staff that enjoyed it being busy.
Food in under 20 minutes and snitty's are as good as tiddies.😉
Aussie F — Google review
Tried out the Spring & Summer Specials - Beef Schnitzel, Pork Belly & Ribs with 2 sides of choice (veg, chips, salad). Generous portions & the service was good. We tried different Rail Jars (forgot the names) - it was rather bitter and tasted like medicine. Some more lemonade or juice would balance the bitter flavour. A nice relaxed vibe. Worth a visit when staying over in Parkes NSW. Prices are reasonable.
Very friendly staff. Food is, not bad but pretty plain. Frozen "seasonal" vegetables, chips, and it's not cheap.
Have been here a few times now, tried a few things, and as per many leagues or regional pubs— if you're getting a steak and want it medium, you have to go for rare.
I've also had the crispy pork belly which...was not very crispy at all. The meat part of the pork belly itself was quite good, moist, juicy, not dry at all. But definitely not the crispy you would expect.
Specials are alright but still not cheap, and you can probably get nicer elsewhere...but probably not in Parkes.
Beer selection is quite limited
Again staff are great.
Disregard photo of steak with garlic bread in the back. Wrong restaurant. Review on steak still stands.
Got the ribs, were absolutely disgusting!! So dry and old tasting. Completely uneditable, all for the price of $36. Not happy won't be going back.
A Disastrous Dining Experience at the Railway Hotel, Parkes
What a shocking disappointment! Having dined at the Railway Hotel in Parkes six months ago and been impressed with the steak quality and value, I was appalled by the drastic decline on my recent visit.
The steak, once a highlight of this establishment, was a complete disaster. Overcooked to the point of toughness, the cut of meat was atrocious—gristly, bland, and clearly of poor quality. The accompanying potato was equally unappealing, tasteless and lacking any seasoning or effort. To add insult to injury, it took over an hour for our meal to arrive, and only after chasing it up did we find out they had completely forgotten to start cooking it. When it finally arrived, they’d forgotten the topper we ordered!
This is not the same place as last time—clearly, standards have plummeted. For a venue that once delivered great meals, this experience was both disappointing and infuriating. If this is the “new normal” at the Railway Hotel, Parkes, they’ve lost a loyal customer. Save your money and your patience—there are better places to eat in town.
I was suggested this place from our host as the best in town. And to be honest, if this is the best next time don’t bother stopping… atmosphere was ok, and the service was good, the food was the biggest let down, I had the Steak special and it felt that it was cooked in a hurry, tasteless …the mash that I love, was only half done and the portions very small, even though I payed for an extra serve ($5) the garlic bread was the worse ☹️…half cooked, served almost cold and hardly any cheese. Garlic brad should be served hot, plenty of cheese and as crispy as possible. Food wise they need to pick up their game. 😩
We went here for a meal and found the hotel easy to park and clean and tidy. Food was excellent and quick service. Reasonably priced. Great
I'm staying in town from Sydney and am so so impressed with the food and brilliant service i received there.
We ordered gf pizza and wow the chunks of chicken were so big and there was so much and these pizzas were even on special for $20 then I ordered milkshakes and I have to say it was the best .milkshakes I've ever had and for $4.50 each
But the service was unreal each girl behind the counter including the delivery girl all made sure I had been served and the delivery girl went over to the kitchen to find out for me how long my order would be
Well done Railway Hotel for taking the time to employ diligent workers that r so very good at customer service ty girls and to the chef we really enjoyed our visit and dinner
1-3 Caledonia St, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
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RV park
Parkes Showground hosts the annual Parkes Show, a three-day event with entertainment, side shows, trade stands, and a stunning fireworks display. Visitors have found the campsite to be affordable and convenient for stopovers during travels. The staff is described as friendly and helpful, ensuring a comfortable stay with clean facilities. It's also noted as an ideal location for events like the Elvis Festival due to its proximity to town and overall pleasant atmosphere.
Lovely spot to spend a few days. Patsy & Rod the caretakers are lovely & checkin with guests every day. Amenities are quite new.
Lots of room. Camping closed when Showground events are on as all sites are booked for the event.
MsJuliebarry — Google review
A good showground for an overnight stay or longer period to explore the area. Very quiet. Situated on the outskirts of Parkes, a town serviced by the Newell Highway and Henry Parkes Way.
Great price. Caretakers onsite and extremely helpful. Easy access to power and water sites. Some sites are level with grassed areas. A large showground with plenty of space. Modern, clean and well maintained amenities. Excellent mobile reception however sites on hill have limited free TV reception.
Great place to stay overnight. Pet friendly, Patsy the caretaker was lovely, clean amenities and powered site for only $25. Bring your cooking facilities as no camp kitchen. Even has an enclosed area for dogs to have a run around
Great place to stay with friendly hosts Rod and Patsy. Great new amenities very clean, the grounds are well maintained. Good price, nice and quite. Highly recommended 👍
Patsy one of a husband and wife team greeted us on arrival and said goodby when we left. Very personable and the toilets and showers are immaculate. Couldn’t wish for better. Well done Patsy.
Nice level spots, plenty of room and a choice of where to park on arrival because it wasn't busy. Park caretakers were very friendly and check in quick and efficient. Amenities were spotless. Would recommend staying.
We had a night at Parkes Showgrounds this week. Power and water available. The amenities were spotlessly clean. The caretaker was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.
Ideal spot to pull in for a night or longer. Plenty of room powered or non powered areas. Facilities are spotless. The caretakers are great very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.
52 Victoria St, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Tourist information center
Visitor center
Nestled on the northern approach to Parkes along the Newell Highway, the Parkes Visitor Information Centre is a must-visit spot for travelers. Situated at the Henry Parkes Centre, this hub offers a wealth of information about local accommodations, attractions, and facilities. Visitors can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi while browsing through an impressive selection of souvenirs and books. The friendly staff are not only welcoming but also well-informed about the area.
Wonderful, friendly, very helpful and informative staff to help you with your travels and any questions you may have
Kylie H — Google review
The main attraction for us at the parks visitor information Centre was the Elvis Gates. Took some group photos and then visited the information Centre Shop and were able to buy some Elvis and Parkes merchandise and then we watched the documentary on Henry Parkes history. There was the Elvis Museum and the car museum but we did not visit those so cannot give them any rating.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff happy to answer all our questions and help us plan our stay.
Really liked it here. First the ladies were very helpful. Plenty of things to see here, first the Elvis Presley displays, the car museum, Henry Parkes museum and the Hisorical museum all side by side. Worth checking it out.
Staff member was wonderful and very friendly. She was also very informative. Good to see Elvis is doing well in Parkes
In the visitors center you can see part of the equipment used in the radio telescope, like the first multibeam receiver or some of the electronics. There's also engaging material for kids and a beautiful exposition of astrophotography. In the store you can find interesting things and your purchase supports science!
Great museum and visitors centre. Lots of information on the area, Henry Parkes, Elvis, a motor museum etc. Would recommend for anyone driving through.
Excellent place to visit.
66-78 Peak Hill Rd, Parkes NSW 2870, Australia•
Mountain peak
Bushmans Hill is a public park with a rich history as one of Parkes' earliest goldmines. The park features remnants of its mining past, such as a towering chimney stack, alongside modern attractions like the Wiradjuri Ampitheatre and Garradyang Garden. This space showcases artworks by local Wiradjuri artists and plants traditionally used by the Wiradjuri people for various purposes.
Nice walk, on a hill, good views. No actual parking bays, parked on the side of the road. There's also toilets and undercover seating and tables.
Lyn W — Google review
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