Parkes is famous for the CSIRO Radio Telescope located on the Newell Highway 20 kilometres north of town. Commissioned in 1961 the telescope played an important part in televising the landing of the first man on the moon. This starred in the feature film

Bushman\//s Hill is the site of one of the first Gold Mines in Parkes. Just fifteen minutes from the hotel you can walk to the top of the hill and view relics and memorial to those few who have lost their lives in the North Parkes Mine.

The town of Parkes is named after Sir Henry Parkes who is regarded in Australia as the \//Father of Federation\//. He united the states into a Commonwealth. There is a museum in town dedicated to Henry Parkes.

Tyndall\//s Lavender Farm contains a number of varieties and you can learn about the growth, production and and processing of lavender. There are also products available for sample.

Pioneer Park Antique Machinery Museum is located on the Newell Highway and displays antique tractors, restored trucks and farming implements.

Distance from Hotel: 50 m Drivetime: 5 mins

A private collection of Elvis\// personal memorabilia owned by the former \//Yellow Wiggle\// Greg Page. As featured on Channel 9\//s A Current Affair and ABC\//s \//The Collectors\// series, his collection features clothes and jewellery worn by Elvis and many of Elvis\// personal books, papers and belongings. The audio commentary is by Elvis\// Tour Manager Joe Esposito.

The Kings Castle is the largest collection of items formerly owned by Elvis Presley in the southern hemisphere.
\This is by far, the greatest exhibition of genuine Elvis memorabilia seen in Australia. Featuring elaborate jewellery, movie clothing, stage clothing, personal clothing, books, police badges, documents.

Over 100 great items on display including: Elvis\// Gold Lame Suit; items from Graceland, stunning rings and necklaces; and the last note written by Elvis.

Find out more about the man behind the greatest entertainment legend ever to live – his rise to fame, his compassion and philanthropic nature, the lifestyle, his search for faith, and his untimely demise.

Distance from Hotel: 15 kms Drivetime: 15 mins

Tune in to the universe at the dish and experience the awesome sight of this icon of Australian science, the achievements of the astronomers that use the Parkes telescope and the grandeur of the universe that they explore. Find out 363 days a year why the Parkes telescope is more than just a movie star. Built virtually in the shadow of the 64 metre dish, the visitors centre primarily caters for public curiosity about the radio telescope and astronomy, through contact with over 100,000 visitors per year. Star of the movie \”The Dish\”, the telescope is still a world class instrument used by Astronomers from around the world to explore the Universe

Distance from Hotel: 50 m Drivetime: 1 min

Henry Parkes Centre incorporates a local history collection, Pioneer Park Antique Farm Machinery Museum and Moat Cottage.

Antique Machinery Museum
The Machinery Museum features a large range of early Tractors, Harvesters and objects used in our agricultural history of the Parkes Shire including the unique \”Reins Drive Tractor\” and the \”Big Four\”. Machinery will be started up for larger group bookings, and the museum will open earlier by appointment.

Local History Collection
The Museum houses many household, family and business items, displayed in a range of themes – with displays rotated and updated regularly. There are items from \”The Railway\”, the \”Post Office\” and objects from our \”Mining Past\”.

Local and Family History
The Parkes Historical Society man the Musuem, and actively assist people in their quest for local and family history research.

Distance from Hotel: 10 kms Drivetime: 10 mins

Come visit the wonderful alpacas and be captivated by those eyes. Get ready for winter purchase some of the fantastic items made from the fibre of the gods. Relax and enjoy a coffee, light lunch or just cake in our cafe. Spinning, weaving and felting lessons available on request. Workshops at various times throughout the year.

Distance from Hotel: 30 kms Drivetime: 30 mins

Located just 400 metres from the main street of Peak Hill, Caswell Street – this open cut gold mine provides a great example of mining techniques used historically and today.

The historic Peak Hill mine operated between 1893 and 1917 producing about 60,000 ounces from 500,000 tonnes of rock. Alkane re-excavated for gold on the site between 1996 and 2002 retrieving 145,000 ounces gold from 4.9 million tonnes of rock.

While most of the historic operations were consumed by the recent mining activity, some of the old workings have been preserved. The Open Cut Experience includes both the historic works and the more recent mines with several walking paths and viewing platforms having been constructed.
The Peak Hill Open Cut gold mine was re-developed in 2002 as a Tourist Mine a unique attraction located on the Newell Highway in the quaint town of Peak Hill. In September 2007, Parkes Shire Council signed an agreement with lease-holder Alkane Exploration committing to keep the project running, through Council operating the tourist arm of the mine.

Distance from Hotel: 30 kms Drivetime: 30 mins

Goobang National Park, one of the state\//s newest National Parks is located 30 kilometres north-east of Parkes. It is approximately 42,600 hectares in size, 55 kilometres long and ranges in width from 200 metres to 20 kilometres, forming the largest area of remnant vegetation in the Central West of New South Wales.

The Park incorporates Hervey, Curumbenya and Bumberry mountain ranges and surrounding country. Travellers on the Newell Highway between Tomingley and Parkes can see the Park to the east.
Goobang National Park can be accessed via a number of roads, including the Tomingley-Yeoval Road in the north, the Parkes-Manildra Road in the south and from Peak Hill along the Baldry Road in the centre.

Visitors are welcome to undertake passive recreation activities such as bushwalking, bird watching and camping. More than 300 plant species have been recorded in the park, including 40 species of orchids.

Distance from Hotel: 45 kms Drivetime: 45 mins

In the heart of Lachlan River country at the geographic centre of New South Wales, a dynamic celebration of Australia\//s outback culture is building momentum. Residents around the central west town of Condobolin are buzzing about a quirky project taking form on nearby Burrawang West Station. Iconic model Holden utes are taking on new life as part of an ambitious artists\// tribute to life in the outback. Head west from Parkes, and indulge in a counter lunch or cold lemonade at the Bogan Gate Pub en route to the Utes. For those with a bit more time up their sleeves, head north from Bogan Gate and explore Trundle and Tullamore on your way to or from the Utes.