There will be mining machinery and equipment on display including underground loaders, drill rigs, trucks and scrapers as well as mining simulators that  allow the public to see what it’s like to drive an underground loader – it’s almost like you’re driving the real thing!

There will be mining information stalls where you can see what happens underground, in ore processing where the rocks are crushed and how the product is made. 

You can learn more about the health, safety and environment teams, watch emergency response team members compete against each other, learn more about careers and how to get into the mining industry. 

There will be free rides for the children including jumping castles, tea pots, train rides, a rock climbing wall and more, as well as lots of interactive activities to keep the children entertained.

This year, for the first time ever, there will also be community markets, with stall holders from all over the Central West. 

You won’t go hungry either with food stalls from near and far – the options are endless.

Sit, eat and relax while you listen to some of our local talented artists play.

And if that’s not enough, there will be free bus tours of Northparkes Mines’ site. 

Jump on a bus and learn more about what goes on at Northparkes everyday – see the mill, new construction projects and the old open cut pit. 

There will also be a very limited number of seats available to see the state-of-the-art immersion room.

This a 360 degree 3D room where you can enjoy a simulated underground experience, go underground without actually going underground. 

These tours will fill up fast so make sure you book your seat when you arrive on the day.

OPEN DAY PARKING - There will be plenty of parking available on the day.

 Pioneer Oval will be available to all Open Day parking. 

Please follow the instructions of the SES who will help find you a spot.

Disabled car parking will also be available at Northparkes Oval.

This year Northparkes is also offering free water testing for PH, chlorine and E coli levels, so bring along 600ml of water and have it tested.

Free health checks will also be available so you can see if your blood pressure, heart rate and weight is in the healthy range.

The community markets and food stalls will include face painting, jumping castles, raffles, train rides, BBQ, rock climbing walls, pancakes and ice-cream, tea pot rides, hot dogs and popcorn, ponies, fairy floss and snow cones, kids activities, kids toys, lollies, kids clothing and jewellery, cake and coffee in the healthy range, handmade sewing items, candles, condiments, scrapbook, soap and bath treats, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Elvis Festival Promotional material, education, clothing, hair ties and bags, jewellery and watches, art, furniture and homewares.