The town of Parkes is located in the Central West of NSW, about a five hour drive west of Sydney. Well-known as the home of the Parkes Observatory that starred in “The Dish”, there’s plenty to do in Parkes when visiting with a dog.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in Parkes
When visiting Parkes, add some of these dog-friendly sightseeing ideas to your itinerary…
#1 Get a Selfie at the Observatory
About a 20 minute drive of Parkes itself is the CSIRO Parkes Observatory, home to Murriyang, a 64-metre radio telescope. Used to relay vision of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, the telescope is still in active use.
The observatory is home to a visitors centre with a telescope viewing area and exhibitions. While no dogs other than assistance dogs are allowed inside the building, it’s still fine to visit the outside area with your dog – the perfect spot for a selfie with the telescope!
The observatory asks that all visitors switch their devices to Airplane Mode, including switching off mobile, WiFi and Bluetooth signals, when approaching, to keep the site radio quiet.
#2 Explore the Local Museums
At the northern gateway to Parks is the Henry Parkes Centre, home to the local information centre, as well as multiple dog-friendly museums.
The Henry Parkes Museum is named after the namesake of the town, the so-called “Father of Federation”. It depicts the life of early settlers in Parkes, including an extensive collection of historical photographs, plus contains an antique machinery exhibit. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are allowed in the museum.
Next door is the King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit and the Parkes Motor Museum, accessed with a separate joint ticket. The former contains personal artefacts of Elvis, while the latter contains over 20 impressive cars and 10 motorcycles, including some rare models. Double check that dogs carried or in a stroller are still allowed to join you.
#3 Follow the Public Art Trail
Parkes is home to an excellent Public Art Trail. Scattered around the town’s centre are fourteen pieces commissioned by the local council, paying homage to elements of the town’s character, from Elvis to astronomy.
Follow this map through the town’s CBD, with the highest number of works location along Clarinda Street between Short Street and Dalton Street. There are also additional works in the surrounding towns.
#4 Join in the Elvis Celebrations
Every year during the second week in January the Parkes Elvis Festival is celebrated, coinciding with his birthday. (The next festival is from 7th to 11th January 2026.)
While many of the events aren’t dog-friendly, there is still lots happening around the town that you can join in with your dog, such as the annual street parade. Or simply soak the lively atmosphere of the festival.
Just note that accommodation books out well in advance for this period, and there may be restrictions on pet-friendly accommodation – double check before booking.
#5 Admire Fields of Canola
The countryside around Parkes is home to many fields of canola, that blooms in a beautiful yellow display each year. The flowering usually occurs between mid-August and late-September, although it can vary depending on the weather. Ask the local information centre for tips on where to see canola fields.
Dog-Friendly Parks in Parkes
Parkes is home to two off-leash dog parks. The first is the Kelly Reserve Dog Park, a fenced dog park in Kelly Reserve. There are two spacious and shady fenced areas on the western side of the reserve. Both areas contains water taps, bench seating and bags, plus there is agility equipment in the small area.
The second off-leash exercise area for dogs is at Spicer Oval. There is a designated dog walking area above the oval – check the signage.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation in Parkes
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commission if you make a purchase using the links. See my full disclaimer.
One of the best pet-friendly caravan parks in Parkes is the Spicer Caravan Park. Pets are allowed on sites at the park, plus in one special pet-friendly cabin – the appropriately named “Hound Dog House.” A dog bed, bowls and even some toys are provided, along with your own fenced yard.
The caravan park is also home to an off-leash dog park. The fully fenced area is available for exclusive use, with the key available from the park reception between 9:30am (or 10:30am on weekends and public holidays) and 5:30pm. Note that it isn’t available during the annual Elvis Festival, when it is used as an overflow area.
Another pet-friendly camping option in Parkes is the Parkes Showground. A large number of powered sites are available for a reasonable rate, with no bookings required except for during the Elvis Festival and the annual show. Pets are welcome but need to be kept leashed.
There are also multiple pet-friendly motels in Parkes, handy for if you don’t have your own caravan or motorhome. Pet-friendly motels include the Bushman’s Motor Inn, the Parkes Federation Motel and the Memphis Motor Inn. (With the latter two, only selected queen rooms are pet-friendly.) It’s best to call up in advance and double check the full rules.
Another pet-friendly option is the Old Parkes Convent. Located in a former convent built in 1910, this highly-rated B&B welcomes well-behaved pets by prior arrangement.
Head Next To
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.