The 2027 NSW TrainLink Elvis Express departs Sydney Central Station on Wednesday 6 January, carrying more than 220 Elvis fans, Tribute Artists and jumpsuit-clad travellers to the Parkes Elvis Festival on its rock ’n’ roll rail journey.
The Elvis Express will arrive in Parkes for the opening day of the Festival, which runs from 6 to 10 January 2027 under the theme Elvis On Tour. The 2027 Festival marks 50 years since Elvis Presley’s passing, with more than 200 events and over 30,000 visitors expected to Shake, Rattle and Roll their way through Parkes across the week.
The Elvis Express party starts before the train wheels turn, with a farewell show on Central Station’s Grand Concourse featuring Elvis Tribute Artists. Passengers then choose their ride from five themed carriages: the Graceland Express, All Shook Up Shuttle, Burning Love Bullet, Viva Las Vegas Line and Priscilla’s Place, with live music and entertainment on board all the way to Parkes.
Parkes Elvis Festival Director Brendan Shipley said, “The Elvis Express is where the Festival begins for so many of our fans. From the moment that farewell show kicks off at Central, you can feel the whole station concourse buzzing, and that energy rolls right into Parkes.
“There’s no better way to arrive at the Festival than on a rock ’n’ roll tour of your own.â€
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said, “There’s something pretty magical about the Elvis Express. From the costumes and live music at Central to the moment the train pulls into Parkes, the journey is a huge part of the Elvis Festival experience.
“For one day, an ordinary trip on the XPT to Parkes becomes a rolling celebration of Elvis, and NSW TrainLink gets to help bring hundreds of fans along for the ride.
“Every passenger who steps off at Parkes is spending money in local businesses, from cafés and motels to the shops along Clarinda Street. It’s exactly what our regional transport network should do: connect people with our towns, our events and experiences like the Elvis Festival that make regional NSW so special.”
NSW TrainLink Chief Executive Roger Weeks said, “NSW TrainLink is proud to support the Parkes Elvis Festival by running our special Elvis Express XPT service. With themed carriages, special onboard catering and entertainment, catching our Elvis Express is a truly fabulous experience.
“So, brush off those blue suede shoes, polish the sequins and get in quick to book your seat on the iconic Elvis Express.”
Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott said, “The Elvis Express is such a special part of the Festival experience and the excitement starts well before it arrives in Parkes. I’m delighted to be at Central Station to welcome guests and wave them off as they set out on their journey to Parkes.
“Then of course there’s nothing quite like the moment the Elvis Express pulls into Parkes. The whole town comes out to welcome it, and it’s the signal that the Festival has well and truly begun. We can’t wait to welcome NSW TrainLink and a new trainload of fans to our town. It’s going to be another wonderful Festival season, with plenty in store for Elvis fans once they’re here.â€
For 2027, every Elvis Express ticket also includes a Festival goodie bag with a Festival Shuttle Bus Pass, the 2027 Souvenir Calendar and Program, and an exclusive ticket to Solid Gold Hits. Starring Feature Artists Charlie Gaylard and Taylor Rodriguez with the Tributes in Concert Band, the concert takes over the Parkes Leagues Club on Friday 8 January, Elvis’s birthday, from 3pm to 5pm.
NSW TRAINLINK ELVIS EXPRESS TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now via 123Tix at www.123tix.com.au/events/
- Return economy travel on the NSW TrainLink XPT between Sydney and Parkes. Return train departs Parkes on Monday 11 January 2027.
- Farewell entertainment on the Grand Concourse at Sydney Central Station.
- On-board music and entertainment for the journey.
- A Festival goodie bag including a Festival Shuttle Bus Pass, 2027 Souvenir Calendar and Program, and a ticket to Solid Gold Hits on Friday 8 January.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: ELVIS EXPRESS SEND-OFF, WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2027
Media are invited to capture the Elvis Express farewell on the Grand Concourse at Sydney Central Station from early morning on Wednesday 6 January, ahead of the approx. 8.30am departure. Expect hundreds of costumed fans, live performances from Elvis Tribute Artists and five themed carriages. Interviews are available throughout the morning with Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott, a NSW TrainLink spokesperson, as well as Elvis Tribute Artists and Festival fans.
A limited number of media seats are available for crews wanting to capture the Elvis Express departure on board, with multiple stops before departing Sydney. Media are also welcome to travel the entire way to Parkes, with filming, photography and interviews available throughout the journey. To register for attendance or request a seat, please contact the team below.
The NSW TrainLink Elvis Express is proudly supported by Transport for NSW.
The Parkes Elvis Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
