PARKES Parkes is a formidable town in Central NSW. Heading south after Peak Hill Parka’s' will be a destination stop. If traveling southwards the Parkes Observatory will have been visited. To allow a full appreciation of the observatory allow a minimum of an hour. Modern history in today’s time zone. Parke’s scientists assisted NASA for several years as a communications station. (The movie The Dish was placed on the role the telescope played during the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Parke’s was originally founded in 1853 as the settlement Currajong, In 1987 the town was renamed to Parke’s in honour of Sir Henry Parke’s otherwise known as the "Father of the Federation". Parke’s attracted significant attention during the Gold Rush of the 1870s onwards, and even to this day modern mining companies still have sites in the nearby registry. The area is supported by gold and coppers mine, Northparkes, north of the town. The Parkes War Memorials are both really well done. The Churches in Parkes are really something else. Just magnificent. The real shame is not being able to get inside. The Hotels in Parkes are also a great offer. Traditional and vibrant. The Parkes Museums are represented by the Observatory, Farm Machinery ,the Elvis Museum. Nice place is Parkes and a nice spot to stay a few days. Diary notes