Sydney to Parkes road trip: Distance, time & best stops
Sydney to Parkes road trip: Orange to Parkes
The distance from Orange to Parkes, going via the quickest route, is 99km. This makes for a driving time of one hour and eight minutes.
The Orange to Parkes drive starts out along the Escort Way, going past a few Orange region wineries. These include Swinging Bridge and Orange Mountain Wines, both of which have cellar doors open to visitors.
Shortly afterwards, you’ll come to the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve, home to the Borenore Caves. Verandah Cave – all rocky outcrops and pools of water – is the star of the show here.
At Boree, you need to branch off the Escort Way and on to Henry Parkes Way. Alas, from here, the Orange to Parkes drive gets pretty bland. You can refuel and buy snacks in Manildra. And, if you’re really determined, you can make a slight detour to either Lake Endeavour Dam or Bumberry Dam.
But you may as well carry straight on through to Parkes. You’ll pass Parkes Airport on the way in, where you can pay a visit to the Parkes Aviation Museum.
Top of the list of things to do in Parkes, however, is paying a visit to the Dish. Also known as Murriyang, this powerful radio telescope at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory transmitted the images of the 1969 moon landing to the world.
The best accommodation in Parkes
The top places to stay in Parkes are:
- For overall quality: Bushman’s Motor Inn.
- For central location: Court Street Motel.
- For parkside location: Hamilton Henry Parkes Motor Inn.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
More New South Wales travel
Surf at Corrimal Beach in Wollongong.
Visit Castle Rock Beach on the Spit Bridge to Manly walk.
Swim at Chinamans Beach on Sydney Harbour.
The best stops on a Sydney to Gold Coast road trip.
What to do on a Newcastle to Byron Bay road trip.