Over 250 Elvis Presley fans, many dressed in blue suede shoes, climbed aboard the New South Wales TrainLink Elvis Express embarking on the seven-hour pilgrimage to the annual Parkes Elvis Festival.
During the 365 kilometre train service, passengers will engage in a little less conversation as they’re treated to singalongs and live performances by Elvis tribute artists, and taking in the beautiful scenery through the Blue Mountains and central western New South Wales farming country.
Elvis Express Driver, Peter White said the Elvis Express is truly a one-of-a-kind journey because it’s not every day that someone is at the helm of a train filled with hundreds of passengers singing, laughing, and dressed like Elvis.
“The atmosphere is always ‘next level’ especially when you come into Central, and you see everyone from all over the world and from different backgrounds dancing and enjoying themselves,” he said.
“I absolutely love this time of year because as someone who was born and raised in Parkes, I really enjoy the atmosphere that both the festival and the train bring to our community.”
The Parkes Elvis festival runs from, January 8 – 12 and is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest celebration of The King with over 350 events, many with free entry.
Since the first event in 1993 the Parkes Elvis, this regional festival has grown to attract over 11,000 people to the New South Wales town of Parkes and inject $11 million into the local economy.
TrainLink Chief Executive, Roger Weeks spoke more about the train.
“Passengers can enjoy the live entertainment all while travelling in comfort, with access to amenities such as air-conditioned carriages, comfortable seating, our buffet car service and onboard toilets”
The Government is backing the Parkes Elvis Festival through Destination NSW event funding, the Transport for NSW Open Streets program and the NSW TrainLink Elvis Express service.
Events like the Parkes Elvis Festival are a key part of Government’s plan to grow the New South Wales visitor economy by supporting communities to host events that reflect the local character and create authentic experiences that attract visitors and drive expenditure for local businesses.
Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads said The New South Wales Government is very proud to provide a fun-filled transport option for Elvis fans heading to the festival.
“The New South Wales TrainLink Elvis Express offers fans the chance to immerse themselves in Elvis culture from the moment they board,” she said.
“This event is a key tourism event in the Central West and it’s great to support it through our regional rail services.
“The festival’s global reach and the enthusiasm it inspires highlight the power of regional tourism to bring people together while supporting local communities and businesses.”
Tourism Research Australia figures from the year ending September 2024 show regional NSW contributed a record $26 billion (49 per cent) of the overall New South Wales visitor economy.
A key strategy for continuing growth in regional tourism is supporting events like the Parkes Elvis Festival. In 2024/2025 Destination NSW is investing in more than 85 regional events, including:
• Tamworth Country Music Festival
• Great Southern Nights
• Bluesfest
• Narooma Oyster Festival
• Mundi Mundi Bash
• Bathurst 1000
• Deni Ute Muster
• Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko
In October the Government released its review into the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 and committed to a new 2035 target of $91 billion in annual expenditure, a 40% increase on the previous goal. The review projected that regional NSW tourism will account for $44 billion of that 2035 statewide target.
