PARKES Parkes is a modern town of 10,500 people (shire population 15,000) which offers a relaxed friendly country way of life with a full range of services and facilities, free of noise, traffic jams and city violence. Parkes Shire residents enjoy a quality of life enriched by: Country/town/village lifestyle Strong community spirit Wide recreational opportunities Vibrant commercial and industrial base Scenic attractiveness High throughput of inter and intra state traffic Air and rail services Road access to other major centres, to Sydney and regional attractions Strong tourism influences Sound rural economy Competitively priced land Comfortable climate for much of the year The residents of Parkes Shire look forward to sharing that quality of life with you. TOURIST SERVICES Parkes Tourist Centre, operated and conducted by Parkes Shire Council's Tourism Board, is located on the Newell Highway within Kelly Reserve on the road leading to Dubbo. Its colonial design and parkland picnic area setting have evoked many admiring comments. By 1996 the centre had welcomed its 250,000th visitor, less than 12 years after opening. Facilities in the adjoining Kelly Reserve area continue to be developed by Apex and the Shire Council. The centre opens from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. A range of tourist souvenirs and refreshments are available for purchase. WALKS Parkes Heart Smart Committee has developed a relaxed and interesting walk around the town (details from the Tourist Centre). A walk to focus on Memorial Hill and Bushmans Hill has been developed. Inquiries should be directed to: The Tourist Officer Newell Highway, Parkes NSW 2870 Postal Address: PO Box 532, Parkes 2870 Telephone: (02) 6862 4365 or Freecall number: 1800 624 365 Fax: (02) 6862 1023 e-Mail: tourism@parkes.nsw.gov.au

GOLDEN HISTORY Early settlement and development of the Parkes area stemmed from the discovery of gold and the exploitation of the mineral potential of the many reefs and alfuvial fields that yielded to the persistence of the prospectors. As mining diminished in importance, the plough, the combine and the harvester became the new symbols of progress and the golden grain that flowed from the endeavours of the hardy pioneers of agriculture underwrote the economic consolidation of the district and reinforced the foundations on which the commercial, communal and civic life of Parkes and district were built. Today Parkes is a thriving, pulsating community situated close to the geographical centre of New South Wales and indelibly pinpointed by crossroads of steel. The district boasts some of the richest and most productive agricultural and grazing land in the State and like many western communities, Parkes' history is intimately linked with the discovery of gold. The area itself remained relatively unsettled until 1862 when the discovery of gold led to a hastily erected 'canvas' town known as 'Currajong' which accommodated thousands of hopeful gold seekers. A further discovery of gold in 1871 at the nearby Bushman's Gold Mine helped the district to become one of the richest gold producing areas in the colony. In 1873 the then Prime Minister of New South Wales, Sir Henry Parkes, showed his interest in the district by visiting the diggings. On December 1, 1873 the name of the settlement was changed from Bushmans to Parkes in honour of the great statesman. Later on August 1, 1887 the town changed the name of the main street to 'Clarinda', Lady Parkes' christian name. In 1998 Parkes will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the name change from Bushmans to Parkes and in 2001 Parkes will hold joint celebrations to mark the Centenary of Federation. SELF DRIVE TOUR Details of a self drive tour of Parkes are available from the Tourist Centre, together with the route for an historical walk in the north Parkes Bushman's Hill area incorporating a range of historical and tourist experiences.

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Update by LiSP Webmaster, Last update: 17 Jan '03