Parkes

Parkes is a town in the New South Wales region of Australia. It is named after Sir Henry Parkes, a statesman and politician who is often referred to as the "Father of Federation" due to his early advocacy for the Federation of Australia. The town is located on the Newell Highway, approximately 365 kilometres west of Sydney.

History

Parkes was founded in 1853 as the settlement of Currajong, named for the abundance of currajong trees in the local area. It was renamed Parkes in 1873 in honour of Sir Henry Parkes. The town has a rich history in the gold mining industry, with the discovery of gold in 1862 leading to a population boom.

Economy

The economy of Parkes is primarily based on mining, agriculture, and tourism. The town is home to the Northparkes Mines, a large copper and gold mine. Agriculture in the area includes farming of crops such as wheat and canola, as well as sheep and cattle grazing. Parkes also attracts tourists due to its annual Parkes Elvis Festival, which celebrates the life and music of Elvis Presley.

Attractions

One of the main attractions in Parkes is the Parkes Observatory, which houses the Parkes Radio Telescope. The telescope played a crucial role in the Apollo 11 moon landing by receiving and broadcasting the first images of man walking on the moon. Other attractions include the Henry Parkes Centre, a tourism complex that includes a museum and visitor information centre, and the Peak Hill Open Cut Experience, a historic gold mine that is now a tourist attraction.

Transport

Parkes is a major transport hub, with the Newell Highway passing through the town. It also has a railway station on the Broken Hill railway line, and is served by the Parkes Airport.

Education

Parkes has several schools, including Parkes Public School, Parkes High School, and Holy Family Primary School. It is also home to the Parkes TAFE, a vocational education and training facility.

See also

• List of towns in New South Wales
• Henry Parkes
• Parkes Observatory
• Parkes Elvis Festival

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Parkes Resources
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