This vintage train ride delivers you in style to Parkes Elvis Festival

We can’t help falling in love with this vintage rail journey to Parkes’ quirky Elvis-themed festival.

When one thinks of Elvis Presley, a lot of things come to mind: Memphis, blues, gyrating hips. What might be left off that list is the small town of Parkes in New South Wales. But doing so would be wrong. Every year, the Parkes Elvis Festival celebrates the life, music and legacy of Elvis Presley over five days. And this year, visitors can pop on their blue suede shoes and catch a not-so-mysterious train from Sydney to Parkes for the festivities.

Parkes Elvis Festival

Next running from 6-10 January 2027, Parkes Elvis Festival started as a spontaneous little shindig put on by local restaurant owners Bob and Anne Steel in 1992. Their restaurant was named Gracelands, so an Elvis-themed party just made sense. And things just grew from there. These days, the whole town gets involved, with the festival attracting over 25,000 Elvis fans each year (more than doubling the local population).

Events run the gamut. From an Elvis tribute artist contest, where national and international artists compete for the title to advance to the next stage of the competition, held in Memphis. To street parades, live music and tribute shows, markets and a whole bunch of wacky, Elvis-themed happenings (think vow renewal ceremonies and a Miss Priscilla competition).

Elvis Festival Train

impersonators in front of a train at the Parkes Elvis Festival — Get your kicks as soon as you depart Sydney. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Departing Sydney on 7 January, Vintage Rail Journeys’ Elvis Festival Train departs for a five-day itinerary blending curated regional experiences and chef-prepared dining with a rock’n’roll flair. It’s a rolling celebration of Elvis, nostalgia and classic Australian hospitality.

“You can’t help but fall in love with the undeniable charm and nostalgia that envelops you on Vintage Rail Journeys," says David Donald, managing director rail & touring at Journey Beyond.

“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."

The journey is all-inclusive, complete with breakfast, lunch, dinner and all beverages onboard. Spend your days getting all shook up in the atmosphere of Parkes and its funky festival, before returning to the train for dinner each evening. Guests also receive tickets to the main event, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Concert.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

The full itinerary

Day 1 – Sydney to Parkes

aerial shot of vintage rail journeys train — Travel through the NSW countryside to Parkes. (Credit: Chris Ersek)

Settle in with live entertainment, plus lunch and dinner onboard.

Day 2 – Arrival in Parkes

a meal in the dining carriage of vintage rail journeys train — Enjoy chef-prepared dinners every night.

Wake to sweeping views of the NSW Central Tablelands and a hearty breakfast before arriving in Parkes to spend the day at Parkes Elvis Festival. Return to the train for a chef-prepared dinner and a relaxed night onboard.

Day 3 – Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest

elvis presley impersonator performing at the Parkes Elvis Festival — Watch Elvis impersonators battle for the crown. (Credit: Parkes Elvis Festival)

It’s the day of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, and you have tickets. Watch performers from around the globe compete for the coveted crown. Afterwards, return to the train for dinner.

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Day 4 – Final Day at the Festival

impersonators sitting on a park bench at the Parkes Elvis Festival — Soak in your final day at the festival. (Credit: Parkes Elvis Festival)

Today is your final chance to enjoy the Elvis-themed fun of the festival, before dinner onboard. The train takes off while you sleep.

Day 5 – Return to Sydney

Wake to a final breakfast and the last views of country NSW before arriving back in Sydney.

The details

Parkes Elvis Festival

Bookings: Plenty of the festival is free, but find booking details for individual events on the festival website.
Cost: Entry costs range from free admission up to $170 for premium seats at signature events.
Dates: 6-10 January 2027

The Elvis Festival Train

Bookings: For booking details and T&Cs, visit the Vintage Rail Journeys website.
Cost: From $4990 per person in a Heritage Twin or Single cabin.
Departure date: 7 January 2027
Departure location: Sydney’s Central Station.

With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

Where the vines tell a story

A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food. — Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

At the table

A flat lay of a steak. — Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

From the source

A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish. — Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

Mark your calendar

A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith. — Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.

This vintage train journey delivers you in style to the Parkes Elvis Festival

We can’t help falling in love with this vintage rail journey to Parkes’ quirky Elvis-themed festival.

Parkes Elvis Festival

Elvis Festival Train