The Visitors Centre reopened on 4 July 2020.
In response to the COVID-19 situation, our Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre, The Dish Café, outdoor viewing area and public toilets opened on 4 July 2020 with physical distancing and other precautions in place.
See map and directions to Parkes Observatory.
Parkes radio telescope is an icon of Australian science, and one part of the Australia Telescope National Facility.
Parkes radio telescope is an icon of Australian science, and one part of the Australia Telescope National Facility.
The Parkes radio telescope is located at Parkes Observatory, 20 kilometres north of Parkes off the Newell Highway (the main highway between Brisbane and Melbourne). The road to the telescope is clearly marked.
Please note that dogs are only allowed outside the visitors centre building, they must be on a lead and accompanied at all times; companion dogs are permitted inside.
The 'noise' created by our modern gadgets can overwhelm the weak signals from space our telescopes are trying to detect. You can help us listen to whispers from space by switching your phone to airplane/flight mode, and turning off other WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled devices before you arrive. We welcome photography and digital video when you visit, however, please ensure that your device is in airplane/flight mode.