Parkes is in the Lachlan Valley, in Central West New South Wales. The area has some of the richest and most productive mining, agricultural and grazing land in NSW.
The Newel Highway that runs through Parkes and Forbes is a fast-growing transport hub for interstate traffic from Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Each year Parkes plays host to the Parkes Elvis Festival where for over 30 years pilgrims from all over the world come to celebrate all things Elvis.