Parkes Radio Telescope - NSW

The Parkes Observatory, is a 64-metre Telescope used for Radio Astronomy. It is operated by the Australia Telescope National Facility, a division of CSIRO, which also includes the ATNF Headquarters at Marsfield in Sydney, the Compact Array and Mopra Observatory near Coonabarabran and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder.

The road to the Telescope is clearly marked, 20 km north of Parkes and 100 km south of Dubbo. The telescope is 6 km from the Highway. Don't forget to switch off mobile phones, radio transmitters, video cameras and other electronic and computer devices a kilometre from the telescope so you don't interfere with the astronomy. Still digital and still film cameras are okay to use.

Public transport from Parkes to the telescope is limited to Taxi. Parkes is serviced by Regional Express Airline (REX), Countrylink, Greyhound and the Indian Pacific train. Many coach and tour companies offer trips that stop at the telescope.

Built virtually in the shadow of the 64 metre dish, the visitors centre primarily caters for public curiosity about the radio telescope and astronomy, through contact with over 100,000 visitors per year. Star of the movie "The Dish", the telescope is still a world class instrument used by Astronomers from around the world to explore the Universe.

* Open: 8.30 am to 4.15 pm every day except Christmas and Boxing Days
* Free entry
* Great view of the telescope
* Displays and exhibits
* 3D theatre (entry fee applies)
* theatre about the telescope (entry fee applies)
* Licensed dish café
* Shop with Souvenirs, books, posters and science toys
* Free BBQ and Picnic facilities