Australia

N.S.W.

Clarinda Street

Located on the central western slopes of the Great Dividing Range in the state of New South Wales, Parkes is a country town situated on the Newell Highway between Forbes and Peak Hill, 365 kilometres west of Sydney. A rural service centre with a strong commercial and industrial base the town is fortunate to possess an expanding economy and population. Thanks in part to Austop wool topmaking plant and the Northparkes copper and gold mine. More recent additions to the commercial sector include the FCL transport terminal (part of the Inland Port project) and Buckwheat Enterprises. Parkes is a major wheat-storage centre in a rural district that also produces other crops, wool and livestock. There is a thriving and diverse shopping centre.

The first Europeans in the district were the party accompanying John Oxley who passed by in 1817 on his expedition along the Lachlan River. The Wiradjuri people, who were encountered in 1835 when Major Thomas Livingstone Mitchell’s expedition camped just to the northeast of the present town, occupied the area. Major Mitchell met, and became friends with the head man Bultje. It was probably due to Bultje’s influence and the mutual regard between Bultje and Major Mitchell that little friction existed between the native people and the new settlers. Squatters had been known to be in the area since 1835, their presence having been noted by Major Mitchell on both the outward and the return leg of his first expedition. The first official License to Depasture under the Squatting Act of 1836 for the Parkes area was issued in 1839 to Thomas Kite of Burrawang.

Reef gold was located a little to the north of the present town site in 1862, after a major find at Forbes the previous year had sparked the Lachlan gold rush. The first discovery recorded was by James Pugh who had been mining unsuccessfully at Forbes. He was paid a reward of £500 for discovering gold in a new area and called his mine "the Pioneer". A tent city of 10,000 emerged almost overnight. It was known as "Currajong" after the currajong trees common in the vicinity. That field was worked for about 5 years then declined as rapidly as the supply of gold.

However, other major finds were made in the area in 1871 and a second rush was soon under way. One of the most substantial was made at Bushman’s Hill, named after George Bush who was in partnership with Tom Brogden. A settlement, also known as Bushman’s, developed around the mine which soon had 30 stamper batteries working 24 hours a day. From 1871 to 1873 about 1400 kg of gold was mined, and the district became known as one of the richest gold producing areas in the colony of NSW. A hotel was quickly established (the Prince of Wales, built on the site now occupied by the Cambridge Hotel), followed by a court of petty sessions, another hotel, the first bank, a Methodist Church and a public school.

The governor of NSW, Sir Henry Parkes ( the "Father of Federation" ) visited what had become one of NSW’s most profitable goldfields in 1873. On 1 December 1873, Bushman’s was renamed Parkes and on 1 August 1887 the main street was renamed Clarinda Street in honour of his wife Lady Clarinda Parkes.

By the time Parkes was declared a municipality in 1883 the initial wave of gold fever had passed. Free selectors had begun to take advantage of the Robertson Land Act, taking up smaller allotments of land and establishing the agriculture which has since become a mainstay of the town and area.

Wheat was first grown 3 kilometres north of Parkes in 1865 and a local flourmill, owned by McGee and Quinn, opened in 1871. The partnership also opened a sawmill to supply timber to the rapidly growing town. Agricultural production expanded when the railway arrived in 1893 to the great economic benefit of the town - an effect enhanced when the line to Broken Hill was opened in 1927. When the standard-gauge rail system was completed in 1969 Parkes became the marshalling and dispersal terminal for eastern Australia, a role that continues until today.

In 1899 Bushman’s reached its maximum depth of 282 metres but mining ceased in 1914. An attempt to revive operations in the 1934 failed due to the fact that the pumps could not attain sufficient volume to remove water from the flooded mines. Finance for such a venture was scarce because of the recent economic depression.

In 1921 the first wheat silos were built at the railhead and the Mugincoble wheat terminal was erected in 1952. The tank farm was completed in 1981, covering 2 hectares and holding 4 million bushels.

From 1959-1961 the CSIRO had the first big-dish antenna radio telescope in the southern hemisphere built to the north of Parkes. Governor-General Lord de L’Isle officially opened it on 31 October 1961. Most of the work had to be carried out at night, to avoid the expansion and contraction problems, which occurred during daylight hours. The construction taking 18 months to complete. The laying of the circular track, on which it runs, also required great precision. One of the worlds most powerful radio telescopes, it has played a vital role in the detection of quasars and pulsars. It is a listening rather than a seeing telescope, listening to and identifying naturally created radio waves from space and has recently been part of the SETI project in which your participation is invited. SETI = Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence.

Of some historic interest is the fact poet Harry Morant, made famous by the 1980 film, Breaker Morant, worked as a stockman in the area shortly before enlisting for the Boer War, during which he was executed by the British authorities.

Tourist Information and Kelly Reserve
The tourist information centre is located in Kelly Reserve, on the western side of the Newell Highway on the northern outskirts of town. It is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on weekends, ’phone: 6862 4365. There are details available for a self-drive tour, an historic walk around North Parkes and the Parkes Heart Smart Walk, a 14 kilometre walking track.
Kelly Reserve contains a refurbished 3075 S-class steam locomotive, barbecues, play facilities and Bushman’s Dam, which was originally created to supply water to the miners of Bushman’s Hill on the other side of the highway. Farmers used the dam to replenish water for their stock in droughts and it remained the town’s water supply until a reticulated system was introduced.

Bushman’s Hill Reserve
The reserve was established as the Parkes bicentennial project. The hill was the site of the gold mine, around which the town was established. All that remains is an old chimney and the concrete foundations, which bore the steam engines that ran the stamping batteries. "History Through the Trees" is a leisure walk with Aboriginal signs and paintings around the barbecue area. From atop the hill there are panoramic views of the town and surrounding areas.

Pioneer Park
Just north of the tourist information centre, on the eastern side of the highway, is Pioneer Park, opened in 1973. It has a collection of antique machinery, historic agricultural implements, two old churches and a school. It is open, for a small fee, from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. every day but Sunday, or by appointment, ’phone: 68625388.

Public Library
Currently part of Parkes Shire Administration Centre in Cecile Street. A new library has been constructed on an adjacent block. The wellstocked library offers computer access and internet facilities to the public. A detailed genealogy section is available and the facilities have been improved with the opening of the new building. The library has a website on which photos of the new library and details of services are shown.

Radio Telescope

Radio Telescope
Between 1959 and 1961 the CSIRO had the first big-dish antenna radio telescope in the southern hemisphere built to the north of Parkes (64 metres in diameter). One of the world's most powerful radio telescopes it has played a vital role in the detection of quasars and of the first pulsars outside of the Milky Way galaxy. In 1988 it was combined with the Mopra observatory near Coonababran and Sidings Springs array near Narrabri to form the Australia National Telescope Facility.
There is an audio-visual display and a staff member is available to answer questions. The visitors' centre has interactive displays, computer tours, a working model of the telescope, a hologram, a live connection with the control room computers, project material, souvenirs and posters. It is open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. Admission is free although there is a small charge for the theatrette. There are picnic facilities and free barbecues. The centre caters to school groups with lessons, talks, class material and nighttime viewing, 'phone: 6861 1777. To visit drive north on the highway for 20 kilometres then turn right and follow Telescope Road for 6 kilometres.

Historic Buildings
At the corner of Currajong and Court Streets is an historic area featuring the police station, the old post office and courthouse. The police station was designed by James Barnet and was built in 1875. The old post office is another James Barnet design built circa 1880 but later altered by W.L. Vernon. The Royal Hotel at 217 Clarinda Street dates from 1881. The courthouse was built 1895-98 and designed by W.L. Vernon. It replaced an earlier courthouse, also built in 1875.
One of the earliest surviving buildings is Balmoral Flats, once known as Hazelhurst Mansion, built by William Hazelhurst who owned the Phoenix Mine. It boasts some fine cast-iron lacework, Italian marble, a quality wooden staircase and stained glass windows. It is located on the eastern side of Hill Street, opposite the school, near the Church Street intersection. Hazelhurst died almost penniless, as did many others who had "struck-it-rich", not having coped well with the sudden transition to affluence.

Historical Museum
The Henry Parkes Historical Museum has relocated to Pioneer Park on the Newell Highway, as the old Masonic building in which it was located has deteriorated beyond repair. It has a good display of artefacts from the gold mining and pioneering days, including many items bequeathed to the town by Sir Henry Parkes, such as his letters and personal library. Sir Henry Parkes’ son, Cobden Parkes, officially opened the museum at 316 Clarinda Street in 1969. The hours are from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily, except Sunday, when it closes at 12 noon. There is a small admission charge, ’phone: 6862 2815 or, after hours, 6862 3509.
Other Parkes memorabilia is on display in the foyer of Parkes Shire Council and in the adjoining library.

Shrine of Remembrance

Memorial Hill
There are excellent views from the lookout on Memorial Hill, a popular picnic spot that is particularly enjoyable at night. It is located at the eastern end of Bushman Street. The 35 metre Shrine of Remembrance column is topped by a beacon light. It was unveiled and dedicated in November 1953 as a memorial to the men and women who made the supreme sacrifice during the World and subsequent wars. The Arboretum and Rotary Park are on the northern side of the approach to the hill. There are a number of walks.

Motor Museum and Craft Corner
The Craft Corner, at the intersection of Bogan and Dalton Streets, is open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and on Sundays during school holidays and long weekends.
The Craft Corner is the access point to the privately owned motor museum with vintage cars dating from 1904 to 1952. There is a small entry fee. 'phone: 6862 1975 after hours.

Grandma’s Dolls
There is a collection of 500 dolls from the 1940s and 1950s located in the Parkview Motel at 34 Forbes Road. The display is open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. every day but Sunday, for a small fee.

Goobang National Park
One of the most recently declared National Parks; Goobang is a long but narrow reserve adjoining the Curumbenya Nature Reserve. It consists of the Hervey, Curumbenya and Bumberry mountain ranges and surrounding valleys. Although there are currently no facilities for visitors, there are opportunities for bushwalking, picnicking, camping, photography and nature studies. Access to the southern end of the park is from the eastbound road to Manildra and Orange. The central section can be visited from the northeasterly road to Wellington.

Bumberry Dam
Bumberry Dam was built in 1896, as the original water supply to the town. It features a rare arch type wall. It is a popular hiking and boating venue with picnic facilities. Drive east on the Orange Road for 12 kilometres and turn left at the small church, then drive for a further 12 kilometres.

Mugincoble Wheat Complex
Arrangements can be made at the Tourist Information Centre for weekday inspections of the computerised Mugincoble Wheat Terminal complex, a storage centre covering 2 hectare and holding 4 million bushels. It is located 8 kilometres from Parkes on the Eugowra Road.

Northparkes Mine

Northparkes Mines
Northparkes gold and copper mines, 27 kilometres northwest of Parkes at Goonumbla, is the largest metal mine in NSW, opened in 1994. It produces about 12% of Australia's copper and provides employment for 300 people. A joint venture by North Broken Hill Peko Limited and the Sumitomo Group, it is one of the largest resources developments in two decades and has been the subject of further extensions since its opening. The mine consists of two opencut and an underground operation. Open days are run every one or two years and an inspection tour can be arranged by ringing the mine's main office - 'phone: 68613000

Events
Parkes Festival of Sport is held at Easter. The Jazz Triduum is a weekend festival held on the June long weekend with a street parade, picnic races and music in the streets. The annual agricultural show is held in late August and the Country Music Spectacular and Antique Motorcycle Rally on October long weekend. There are many first class sporting venues scattered throughout the town area and these provide a varied and interesting program for the enthusiast.

International Freight Airport
Another project of the Inland Marketing Corporation, Parkes Shire Council and supported by about fifty other local councils. Details of the proposal may be viewed on this page of the Inland Marketing Corporation's website.

Melbourne to Brisbane Transport Corridor
A proposal to construct a Melbourne to Brisbane transport corridor which also involves a proposed Melbourne to Darwin link further into the future. Pre-feasibility studies have been commissioned. Details of the proposal may be viewed on this page of the Australian Inland Rail Expressway website.