Parkes, named after the father of federation, Sir Henry Parkes, is a thriving, progressive, commercial city situated close to the geographical centre of NSW.

This tour provides a unique opportunity to explore this region with its fields of gold and contrasting green pastures, lush grazing land and charming country towns and villages. Relive the 1969 memories of the first moon landing when you visit the "Dish" at Parkes. Visit the remarkable Western Zoo in Dubbo and enjoy the Japanese Gardens and history of Cowra. Feel the warmth and friendly country hospitality as you explore Forbes, Canowindra, Grenfell and Parkes. This really is a fascinating region of New South Wales. The Parkview Motor Inn is set on three acres. All units are ground floor with direct dial telephones, colour TV, reverse cycle air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities and refrigerators. There is a salt-water swimming pool. Breakfast and dinner is served in the restaurant of the Motor Inn. Your contact phone number during your stay will be 02 6862 2888

Tuesday 15^th September – Journey to Parkes and the Golden West. Join the air-conditioned coach at Epping RSL. Time to be advised. You will travel through the beautiful Blue Mountains, making a morning tea stop along the way. Your journey will continue through the mountains onto Lithgow with lunch provided in Bathurst. On your way to Parkes you will travel through some of Australia’s most beautiful undulating sheep and wheat growing country. In season the county-side appears to make landscape postcards come to life. Settle in the Parkview Motor Inn before Happy Hour and dinner in the Motel’s restaurant.

Wednesday 16^th September – Dubbo and the Western Plains Zoo. After a delicious buffet breakfast you will board your coach for your trip to Dubbo via the historic gold mining town of Peak Hill. After travelling through the City of Dubbo, a morning tea stop will be made at the Dubbo Visitors Centre. You will then visit the Western Plains Zoo, which will enable you to travel the world in a day. The Zoo is home to more than 800 animals from all over the world, many of them endangered species. Walking trails meander past large open exhibits landscaped to closely resemble the animal’s natural environments. The Zoo is set in 300 hectares of bushland, there are many waterway which provide a haven for the spectacular bird life. The Zoo is also the home to free-ranging native animals, including Kangaroos, Emus and Wallabies. Roads throughout the Zoo enable your coach to take you from one exhibit to another. Lunch will be provided at the Zoo.

Thursday 17^th September – The Dish, Parkes and Forbes. Today you will visit the world-renowned Parkes Radio Telescope and CSIRO Visitors Centre. The giant steel dish of he Parkes Radio Telescope is a landmark in the paddocks just north of Parkes and a landmark in the scientific history of Australia. Used by astronomers to study to study galaxies, exploding stars, pulsars and quasars near the edge of the universe. The telescope was used in conjunction with Apollo 11 Moon landings, Apollo 13 rescue, and explorations of Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Haley’s Comet. It is the world’s most powerful single dish radio telescope. Included in your visit is the marvellous audiovisual presentation, "The Invisible Universe". It details the great discoveries and work of the Parkes Observatory since its inception and runs for 20 minutes in Theatre 1.

Friday 18^th September – Wellington and Yeoval. Today you will visit Wellington via Molong. Morning tea will be at the picturesque Wellington Park. You will then travel to the Angora Tourist Farm, at Yeoval, about 25 kilometres from Wellington. The award winning tourist farm is a unique experience you will not forget. It is a 2000-acre wheat, sheep, and cattle property that incorporates a fine tourist attraction. You will see unique angora rabbits and numerous farm animals on this working property. Relax as you enjoy a traditional woolshed BBQ lunch, along with some country entertainment. Take time for a look through the Souvenir shop where Angora, Alpaca, Crocodile, Emu and Woollen products are available before departure.

 Saturday 19^th September – Canowindra, Cowra and Grenfell. This morning travel to Cowra via Eugowra & Canowindra. A morning tea stop will be made at historical Canowindra, with its quaint antique shops and where it appears as if time has stood still. Then you will then travel to the Cowra Visitors Centre, where you will enjoy a stroll through its extensive rose garden, boasting over 1000 roses. The complex also houses a local art gallery, historical museum and souvenir shop. Be sure to see the unique presentation in the POW theatre. Your group needs to be split into two for the brief presentation. A picnic lunch will be provided here at the Visitors Centre Park. You will then continue onto the Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre which covers five hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens with meandering paths, revealing streams filled with fish, water falls, lakes, picturesque wooden bridges and so much more. A delightful place to explore. You will return to Parkes via historical Grenfell, arriving at the Parkview in time for some relaxation before a special farewell dinner.

Sunday 20^th September – Journey Home. Today as you leave Parkes we hope that you will take with you many pleasant memories of your stay in the Golden West of NSW. A morning tea stop will be made in Bathurst and a circuit of the famous Mt Panorama before the Blue Mountains and a light lunch provided at Blackheath with time for a stroll, before the final leg of your journey home.