Accommodation in Orange is not the only option!  There is 4 star motor inn accommodation on the Newell Highway Parkes that is guaranteed to suit your needs.

The topography in the shire can generally be described as flat to undulating. The area forms part of the catchment for two main river systems, the Bogan and the Lachlan Rivers, which are major tributaries of the Murray-Darling Basin System. Most watercourses in the Shire are not permanent, being reduced to a series of waterholes for the majority of the year.

Rainfall varies across the Shire with the eastern part receiving slightly more than the western part. From the rainfall data gathered over the past 104 years the average rainfall per annum is 588 mm.

The shire can experience climatic extremes with typically hot conditions in the summer months and regular frosts in the cool winter months with occasional snow on higher ground. The average daily temperature for the summer is 30 degrees Celsius and in winter 16 degrees Celsius.

Parkes Shire is predominately, an Agriculture area but  has  in recent years also become a large Mining area with large Gold & Copper deposits having been discovered. At certain times of the year it is possible for tourists to have their own mining expererience, by visiting an open cut mine.

The famous DISH is  just 25ks from Parkes & is certainly worth a visit, with all it’s interesting information about our Universe. Some of the numbers regarding distances are really mind blowing.

The “World Famous” Parkes Elvis Festival kicks off on the 7th of January & is already sizing up to be a memorable event. You can find Elvis impersonators, tribute performances & special events dedicated to the living memory of Elvis Presley… otherwise known as “The King”.

The five day festival program exhibits more than 120 individual performances & events.

The Parkes Elvis Festival bill includes:

• the Mark Andrew Feature Concerts
• the popular Elvis Gospel Church Service,
• the Elvis Street Parade
• the Crowning of Miss Priscilla
• the Elvis Golf Day & Dinner
• the Back to the Altar Wedding Ceremony &
• the inaugural Elvis Poets Breakfast

On the weekend, Cooke Park is a worthy attraction featuring  markets & non-stop entertainment on the main stage with family-friendly Elvis tribute artists & a range of competitions for all ages.

Elvis Central Store has official festival merchandise & unique memorabilia items for avid Elvis Presley fans

The festival now so big it even has its own website ! Go to www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au for more information.

If you are looking for accommodation for the 5 day spectacular, Bushmans Motor Inn has 4 star hotel motel inn accommodation together with some inhouse Elvis entertainment.

Call 1800 807 914 now to secure your accommodation.

The purpose of the festival is to promote Tullamore with it’s unique characteristics & offer to the wider Australian public exposure to the friendly & gregarious Irish culture.

The festival is held within the town of Tullamore & commences with a street parade.

Many floats & groups from the Tullamore community participate as well as vintage cars and bikes from surrounding areas.

If you are looking for accommodation for the Tullamore Irish Festival, Bushmans Motor Inn has 4 star hotel motel inn accommodation to suit most budgets.

Call 1800 807 914 now to secure your room.

Thursday 2nd to Monday 6th October

Guest Artists

The Australian Country Talentseekers Quest
Contestants are to submit a studio quality tape of three songs for review. Ten finalists are shortlisted to compete with the 2009 Male & Female vocal winners.

Finalists compete for $1000 in cash and trophies, with 1st 2nd and 3rd places being awarded on a date yet to be set sometime around the first week of October 2009.

Spectaculars Features

• Australian Country Talent Seekers Quest
• Street Busking Competition
• Family Muster
• Best Shop Window Display Competition
• Gospel Church Service
• Street Entertainment
• Festival Country Concert
• Gala Presentation & Awards Concert
• Bush Poets Breakfast
• Balladeers & Bards walk-Up Afternoon
• Concert in the Park
• Free Club Entertainment
• Last Roundup & Sausage Sizzle Breakfast

Festival Talent Quest Sections

• Snr Male Vocal
• Snr Female Vocal
• Snr Australian
• Snr Gospel
• Snr Duo or Group
• Veterans
• Snr Country Rock
• Open Instrumental
• Open Songwriting
• Jnr Vocal Male & Female
• Jnr Gospel
• Jnr Duo or Group
• Jnr Australian
• Jnr Country Rock
• Open Sub Junior Section

Prizes to the value of $5000 in cash & trophies

Useful & interesting places to visit, and some recommended tourist attractions

Olympic Pool
Dalton Street
PARKES NSW 2870
Phone:(02) 6862 6001

Parkes Shire Library
Bogan Street
PARKES NSW 2870
Phone:(02) 6861 2309
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10.00am-7.00pm & Sat: 10.00am-12.00pm
Email: library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Parkes CSIRO Radio Telescope
Newell Highway, Approx. 20km North of Parkes
Website: www.csiro.au/parkesdish
Email: parkes-vdc@csiro.au
Phone:(02) 6861 1777
Opening Hours: Open Daily - 8.30am - 4.15pm. Admission to the Visitors Centre is free.

Memorial Hill
Entry from eastern end of Bushman Street

Trundle Art & Crafts, Gifts & Knick Nacks

Museum & Historial Information

Macusani Alpaca Country Shop & Cafe
Newell Highway
TICHBORNE NSW 2870
10km South of Parkes

Goobang National Park - 23 Sep 2006
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.

Tyndalls Lavender Farm
Cnr. Tanks Road & Wellington Road
PARKES NSW 2870
Phone:(02) 6862 3632

Garden Bower Studio
Showing works by numerous local artists, together with Roma Stevens as resident-artist.

Craft Corner
Offering a range of locally produced hand-made arts, craft, paintings, pottery, jewellery, and knitwear.

Peak Hill Open Cut Experience

Bushman’s Hill
Entry from Wentworth Street or Newell Highway, Parkes