kids encyclopedia robot

Parish of Houston facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Houston
New South Wales
Parkes Observatory -Australia -landscape-15Aug2009.jpg
Houston parish, Alectown
Houston is located in New South Wales
Houston
Houston
Location in New South Wales
Postcode(s) 2870
Location
  • 382 km (237 mi) WNW of Sydney
  • 97 km (60 mi) SW of Dubbo
  • 24 km (15 mi) N of Parkes
LGA(s) Parkes Shire
County Kennedy County
State electorate(s) Dubbo
Federal Division(s) Calare

Houston Parish is a cadastral parish in Parkes Shire and Kennedy County, central New South Wales. It lies on the southern boundary of Alectown township, and its most prominent landmark is the Parkes radio telescope. Houson Parish, New South Wales is about 300 km (186 mi) west-northwest of New South Wales's capital city of Sydney, and is on the Goobang Creek.

Prior to European settlement, the Houston/Mcphail areas was inhabited by the Wiradjuri people. Major Thomas Mitchell and John Oxley were early explorers in the area. The area was first opened up in the 19th century gold rush of western New South Wales, with both companies and artisan mining striking rich veins at Mcphaile for about 20 years. A village soon sprung up but no evidence of the village remains today, and the main economic activity is wheat and sheep.

kids search engine
Parish of Houston Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.