Explore the Stars at Murriyang: Parkes Radio Telescope Welcomes Festival Visitors

As the 2026 Parkes Elvis Festival rolls into town, festival-goers have a unique opportunity to combine music, culture, and science at one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks: Murriyang, the Parkes radio telescope. Extending its opening hours for festival visitors, this extraordinary facility invites you to dive into the wonders of the universe while enjoying nearby festival activities.

An Icon of Australian Science

Located just outside Parkes in New South Wales’ central-west, Murriyang has been a pillar of astronomical research for over 60 years. With a 64-metre dish, it is one of the largest single-dish telescopes in the southern hemisphere dedicated to exploring the cosmos. Since its commissioning in 1961, the telescope has undergone regular upgrades to its surface, receivers, control systems, and computers, making it ten thousand times more sensitive than when it first began operations.

Visitors can marvel at the precision engineering that allows Murriyang to track distant pulsars, map hydrogen gas in our galaxy, and even detect signals from interstellar space.

A Telescope That Shaped Space History

Murriyang isn’t just for astronomy enthusiasts. Over its decades of operation, it has played a key role in human space exploration. It tracked Mariner 2 on its historic flyby of Venus, served as a prime receiving station during the Apollo 11 Moon landing, and more recently helped NASA monitor Voyager 2’s journey into interstellar space. Its story was even immortalised in the Australian film, The Dish.

The telescope’s name, Murriyang, was gifted by local Wiradjuri elders in 2020 and represents the ‘Skyworld,’ the domain of Biyaami, a prominent creator spirit in Wiradjuri Dreaming.

Visitor Experiences During the Festival

Murriyang

Murriyang’s visitor centre is extending its hours to welcome festival-goers, offering hands-on science exhibits, interactive displays, and a chance to explore the playground and surrounding area. It’s a perfect stop for families and science enthusiasts alike, adding an educational twist to your Elvis Festival itinerary.

Whether you’re inspired by the stars, fascinated by space exploration, or simply curious, Murriyang offers an unforgettable experience alongside the excitement of the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Parkes Radio Telescope

Location: 585 Telescope Road, Parkes, NSW
Extended Festival Hours: Check festival schedule
More info: Parkes Elvis Festival
Visitor Centre Info: CSIRO Parkes Telescope

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