Elvis Festival, Parkes. How to include in a NSW road-trip.

If you're after a little less conversation, and a little more action on your next Campervan road-trip in country NSW during January then you need to include the best Elvis Festival in the southern hemisphere. Attracting over 25,000 fans and tribute acts it's a once in a lifetime experience.

In 2026 the festival runs from 7 - 11 January.  The linked festival site is perpetual so click there for subsequent years.

Since 1993, Parkes, normally a quite country town, gets 'All Shook Up' once a year, and it's quite a spectacle. The whole town comes down with Elvis fever.

Whether you want to attend the whole festival or just pop in for a day and show off your Blue Suede Shoes, the festival caters to all levels of Elvis passion. 

The full festival program is a good place to start the planning process and then lock in your camping site. 

Places to stay will get tight the closer to the festival you get, so consider towns close by as overnight options.  

In Parkes: 

Spicer Caravan Park, Newell Hwy Caravan Park, Parkes Showground campground 

In Dubbo: 

NSW Holiday Park, 

In Forbes: 

Forbes River Meadows, Forbes Holiday Park, Apex Riverside Tourist Park

If you're combining the festival with a more comprehensive road-trip you can consider including the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

Or double up on festival action and head north to Tamworth's Golden Guitar for the Country Music Festival that starts on the 16th January for 10 days. 

Book early and save on your vehicle. Don't forget to pay your respects to the traditional custodians of the land on which you travel. 

Image credits:  Destination NSW

Shelley Richardson

Shelley has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years, in aviation, for tour operators and since 2016 for DriveNow. Having travelled extensively worldwide, alone, as a couple and with her family, Shelley has experience to share about how to make the most of your holiday, especially road-trips to amazing destinations.