We got here yesterday and will be leaving tomorrow. There is not that much to do around here at the moment. There has been lots of rain over the last few weeks and the local National Parks are closed. It was the same last year up this way.
On the way in we went to check out the Peak Hill Gold Mine. This is a huge open cut mine that is now closed. It originally started mine activities back in the 1890 and was one of the first to use the open cut system. As you can see from the photos, there are roads around the sides of the open cut mining area that the trucks used to drive on, loaded with the ore. You couldn't get very close but it didn't look like there was a lot of room to drive on. Maybe that explains the size of the cemetery at Peak Hill. It is huge for a town this small. As can be seen, there hasn't been a lot of size rejuvenation after the mine closed.
Sunday we drove for about 400 k's so when we got to the Caravan Park we set up and then just relaxed for the rest of the day.
Monday morning it was of to explore the local area. First we headed out to check out 'The Dish'. This huge radio telescope was made famous by the movie The Dish. For those that have seen the movie, you will be happy to know that there was very little exaggeration during the movie. The Radio Telescope at Parkes is an integral part of a worldwide system. During the Apollo 13 mission, which was almost a total disaster, N.A.S.A. relied on the Parkes Radio Telescope to keep in touch with the astronauts. No other Radio Telescopes were able to make and keep contact with the mission, with the assistance given probably saving all of their lives.
The actual Dish is huge. It is 64 metres across and weighs in excess of 1000 tonnes. More than 300 space researchers world wide have access to and use the information obtained from this telescope. When we first arrived, the dish was facing directly up into the air. Not very happy about that, as you don't get my normal awesome type of photos. It was facing that way as the wind overnight had been over 35 KPH and it is put into that position to stop getting buffeted by the wind. Thankfully, while we were there, the wind had dropped and they put it into a different more photogenic position. I wont bore you with my immense knowledge of how these radio telescopes work. Lucky for you huh.
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| The actual set from the movie. |
We then headed in to the town and I had to get a photo of Sir Henry Parkes. He was the premier of N.S.W. way back in the 1860's 70's. He visited the town during the gold rush of that era and they decided to name the town in his honour. At the time the town was known as Currajong.
In the town area they have a really well kept war memorial. This can be found in Cooke Park, in the main street. At this spot they also have an ex German field gun, that was seized by the allies during the first major push against the enemy.
On the tallest hill overlooking the town, is the main War Memorial. This is a huge white tower that seems to overlook the town. Even though it is surrounded by a big bitumen carpark, it is really a very solemn place.
There is a short Walk of Remembrance, with 7 separate gardens. All of these gardens have plants in them relative to the place of the conflict. South Africa for example, has Proteas in their garden bed. It is really well set up. They even have an anti-aircraft gun set up to protect the site from invasion. I think I have found my calling.
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| South African Garden |
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| The south pacific garden. |
The town itself seems to rest within a depression of the local landscape. Television reception in the area is very sketchy, to say the least. According to the Caravan Park owners most people have just given up and got Foxtel.
We must have been in a perfect spot, as we were able to get reception and Deb was able to watch her beloved Wimbledon grand final.
Time to go now and our next point of call is going to be Griffith.
Barry and Deb.
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