Parkes is a town of 10,100 people situated on the Newell Highway 364km west of Sydney. The town serves as a hub for a rich agricultural area of NSW based on wheat and grazing. The history of Parkes is linked with gold mining which still continues today. The original Bushman's Hill Gold Mine has been restored as part of a bicentennial grant. Parkes is also famous for the CSIRO Radio Telescope which played a key role in NASA's first landing of men on the moon. The Dish has been immortalised in the movie of the same name. The Dish is located 20km north of Parkes and definitely worth a visit.