Elvis is leaving the station in 2026, and he’s taking a train full of fans with him. Vintage Rail Journeys has transformed the Parkes Elvis Festival into a headline act on rails. In January, the all-inclusive Elvis Festival Train will depart Sydney on a four-day rocking and rolling rail journey.
From the moment the whistle blows, guests will clink glasses, tuck into regional feasts and sway along to Presley classics performed live as the train rolls west. By the time it arrives, passengers will feel like they’re already part of the show.
“Imagine the excitement as you join fellow festival-goers, with live entertainment and the beats of Elvis classics that will have your toes tapping from the moment you board,” Journey Beyond Executive General Manager of Rail David Donald says.
“You can’t help but fall in love with the undeniable charm and nostalgia that envelops you on Vintage Rail Journeys.”
What’s in the line-up?
Every ticket comes with:
- Four days aboard Vintage Rail Journeys from Sydney to Parkes
- Accommodation in Heritage Twin or Single cabins
- Regional menus paired with local flavours
- Beer, wine, spirits, tea and coffee throughout
- A cocktail party and live music in the lounge
- Reserved tickets to the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Fares begin at $3,795 per person twin share and $3,895 for singles.
The warm-up act: Orange
Day two sets the tempo in Orange. At Rowlee Wines Estate, guests gather for a vineyard long-table lunch matched with estate vintages. The afternoon offers a choice of encores:
- An Estate Tour and Tasting
- A Sensory Wine Masterclass
- A Private Garden Walk with tastings
It’s the rehearsal before the big lights of Parkes.
The main stage: Parkes
Day three is the headline act. The Parkes Elvis Festival, officially endorsed by the Presley estate, has become a rhinestone pilgrimage for fans worldwide. The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest is the centrepiece, a spectacle of swivelling hips, sequinned jumpsuits and voices that keep the King’s legacy alive louder than ever.
“Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the King’s charisma, the Elvis Festival Train is guaranteed to get your blue suede shoes moving,” Donald says.
Why it matters for the trade
For agents, this is a ready-made showstopper:
- A themed journey with guaranteed audience appeal
- A one-off departure that drives urgency
- All-inclusive pricing that simplifies the sell
- Broad appeal spanning Presley devotees, rail lovers and experience-seekers
Themed tourism is topping the charts, rail travel is having its encore, and Parkes is the headline act. Put together, it’s a journey that sells itself before the curtain even rises. For the trade, it means tapping into loyal festival-goers, the growing demand for nostalgic rail and the appetite for regional immersion.
Vintage Rail Journeys is part of Journey Beyond, the name behind brands that include The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Outback Spirit, Cruise Whitsundays and Melbourne Skydeck. The Elvis Festival Train fits its portfolio of experiences built on story, spectacle and connection.
The Elvis Festival Rail Tour is on sale now: www.vintagerailjourneys.com.au/experiences/elvis-special
All images supplied.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For agents, the Elvis Festival Train is limited, lively and guaranteed to hit the right note with travellers eager to swap road trips for rock’n’roll.
