csiro parkes observatory

We visited the Observatory expecting to see the radio telescope but were pleasantly surprised at all the unexpected extras such as the videos, friendly and knowledgable staff and the interactive exhibitions. A great day out.

We hadn't planned on visiting the observatory but were glad we did and enjoyed the visit as well as finding it very interesting. Worth a visit if you are passing.

Ticked this off my bucket list and it didn't disappoint. 2200km round trip and worth every kilometer.

Love this place so interesting, great display for the kids and adults, plenty of gifts and a fantastic place for a snack,coffee or a meal in a air conditioned room.

This visit was the fulfilment of a long held wish to see "the Dish". I was surprised that we couldn't get closer to it though, and had to be content to photograph it from a distance. It is amazing to see it with your own eyes when you are old enough to remember the moon landing and the part the dish played. It was a dream come true. There is a great little shop there where you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, and we spent way too much, lol! LOVED IT!!

You really have to stop in and have a look! If nothing else just grab a coffee from the kiosk and sit at the tables!!!!!!!

Nice little attraction. Amazed by the whispering dishes in the front garden. I'm convinced it's a trick!! I wa expecting to go inside and to find a giant joystick that would let me wiz the dish around and take photos of astronaughts. I reckon the closest you can get to the dish is about 50m which I hadn't expected! Better stick to the movie, hey.

Great place to visit. We watched the movie 'The Dish' kindly provided by the staff at the Station motel ( wonderful place to stay) the night before which was great to see again before visiting. Sort of sets the scene. Take your time in the centre reading about the history. Nice 3D movie about Astonomy. Good coffee and food at the cafe. Very nice relaxing visit.

This is an icon for Australia and the rest of the world...and we loved it. It's bigger than life - and the surrounds are quite pleasant indeed. The cafe is worth the visit! Don't miss out, this is so close to Parkes - visit and learn about the great work being done at "The Dish"!

Been waiting years to have the chance to see "The Dish" in real life after seeing one of Australia's funniest movies. The Telescope is fenced off so you just look at it. Interesting to see the fact vs fiction between the moon landing as depicted in "The Dish" vs what actually happened. 3D movies are expensive more than $7 for about 20 minutes. Expected more display material in the info centre, you can take it all in in only about 15 minutes. The CSIRO organisers should recognise that many visitors have driven 5 hours to get there and put more on display. In the promo material it refers to a restaurant, but it is really just a cafeteria and being summer I think there were work experience young people on the job. Very slow service .. As Dame Edna Everage says -now, at least you can say you have seen it.

Amazing to see the dish move and read all about it and other CSIRO work. Fantastic that it is free too!

Took the kids here on the way through as hubby and I enjoyed it as kids. The info centre has a series of 'treasure hunt' style learning points to show off its exhibits and a little pack for kids ($4.95) each to do while they are there. Didn't get to have a look at these but seems like a good idea. The gift shop is filled with science items from the cheap and plasticky to the expensive and scientific, some based on "The Dish" movie. Some beautiful photography on display, a 3D movie (which we missed due to time constraints) and some tidbits of information on past and current CSIRO projects at the facility. A bit of advice - allow a bit of time to take it all in, and check out their loos, the womens' (I didn't enquire about the mens') have science trivia on the back of the door!

Was expecting a little more. If after looking a satilite then perfect. Displays were ok but nothing to write home about.

Very good info centre, shame about the Info Staff. Well laid out in pictures, photos and interactive science projects for kids, both big and small! Staff on the day we went (Saturday 17th Jan) were so busy whinging about other staff members, rosters and lack of staff working to each other that they didn't acknowledge any of us or any other tourists who entered after we did. People had to chase them up to see the 3D Movies. The same for me to purchase items in the shop. The Cafe outside was a different ball game! Great attentive staff, lovely food and coffee. A pleasure to have morning tea there with lovely home made food.

Watched the 3D experience which was informative and short enough not to get boring. Ate a simple chicken sandwhich for lunch here which was delish, Oh and so were the scones with fig jam and cream.