Parkes, New South Wales, proved to be a surprisingly engaging town. We were anticipating the iconic radio telescope, naturally, but we found ourselves just as captivated by the unexpected delights scattered throughout the town itself.
First, there's the Elvis Presley statue, a tribute to the King's connection to the town via the movie filmed at the radio telescope. It's hard to miss, right in the middle of town.
One can’t help but smile, even if one’s musical tastes lean more towards classical than rock 'n' roll.
Then there’s the peculiar orange spaceman sculpture.
It stands sentinel on the corner, a decidedly modern touch amidst the more traditional architecture of Parkes. It certainly got our attention. Not something you see every day, that's for sure.
The town square, spruced up for the Christmas season, offered a festive touch with a water feature taking the shape of a Christmas tree.
We can't say we've ever seen a Christmas tree fountain before!
Of course, the main attraction, the Parkes Observatory, didn’t disappoint. The sheer scale of the dish is impressive, a testament to human ingenuity and our quest to understand the universe.
It's quite humbling to stand in the shadow of such a massive structure, knowing the groundbreaking research that has taken place there.
Parkes isn't just a place to stop and see a big dish; it's a town with personality, a bit of quirkiness, and a welcoming atmosphere. We enjoyed our time there immensely.
