Parkes: Trails, heritage and technology

Parkes can be explored through its trails and lookouts, as well as through cultural and technological themes. Visitors can choose from mining history, Wiradjuri heritage, public art, tractors and aviation. Each place has a different focus, so you can plan your stay according to whether you want to prioritise scenery, cultural history or collections.

Trails, views and landscape

Bushman's Hill has walking trails to the summit, panoramic views and historic mining relics. This brings together two interests that give a walk a particular character: the view from the summit and mining history. If, in addition to trails and views, you are interested in historical traces of mining, Bushman's Hill is a fitting focus.

Memorial Hill offers panoramic views over Parkes and the surrounding agricultural land. Unlike Bushman's Hill, where walking trails to the summit and historic mining relics add to the experience, the emphasis here is on views over the town and farmland. Both hills offer views, but with different themes alongside them.

The Rotary Peace Walk offers a different way to walk: a gentle loop through bushland, with information signs and a contemplative stroll. Rather than a summit destination, the focus here is on the loop itself. If you are choosing between different types of walks, the loop, bushland and signs are distinctive features of this trail.

Cultural connections and art

The Wiradjuri Amphitheatre is part of an area that honours the Wiradjuri as the traditional custodians of the Parkes region. This gives it a cultural focus distinct from lookouts and technological collections: the emphasis is on honouring Wiradjuri heritage.

The Public Art Trail features public art installations in Parkes’ central business district. This adds art in the CBD as a distinct focus. In planning your visit, you can distinguish between two different cultural interests: public art in the urban environment and recognition of the Wiradjuri as the region’s traditional custodians.

Collections and experiences

On the northern side of Parkes is the Henry Parkes Centre, a tourism complex and cultural precinct. Its location on the northern side and its tourism and cultural functions provide a specific landmark to help you get your bearings in town.

The Henry Parkes Museum & Antique Machinery Collection includes 45 restored tractors that remain operational. Their restoration and continued functionality define this collection’s focus, making it clearly distinct from landscape trails and public art installations for those interested in technology.

The HARS Parkes Aviation Museum is located at the end of Muzycuk Drive at Parkes Airport. Aircraft on display include a Bell AH-1 Huey Cobra, a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, a De Havilland DH.114 Heron and a Convair 580. Parkes’ technology theme thus ranges from restored, operational tractors to an exhibition of named aircraft.

The Moat Cottage Replica offers a free 20-minute theatrical experience about Sir Henry Parkes and his connection to Parkes. The focus shifts here from collection objects to a time-limited presentation about a person and their connection to the place. If you are interested in Sir Henry Parkes and this connection, you can include the short experience as a clearly defined activity in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Belbora, Horningsea Park, Smiggin Holes, Kyogle, Wybong, Aberdeen, Laurieton, Redhead

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.