- Parkes is a city located in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated approximately 365 kilometers west of Sydney and has a population of around 11,000 residents. Parkes is known for its agricultural and mining industries, as well as being home to the Parkes Observatory, which played a vital role in receiving live television footage of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. The city also hosts the annual Parkes Elvis Festival, a popular event celebrating the life and music of Elvis Presley.