It’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat, go!

Every January, the quiet country town of Parkes in the Central West New South Wales triples in size as it hosts one of the nation’s most unique and beloved festivals: the Elvis Festival.

A rollicking annual event where pompadours and pomade rule, the iconic Parkes Elvis Festival has become a world-famous annual pilgrimage for Elvis impersonators and fans alike.

More than 200 events are held over the five days of the festival including the world-famous Elvis Street Parade, Miss Priscilla pageant, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Competition, and Elvis-theme karaoke, trivia, rugby and more.

Born during a dinner conversation over a quarter of a century ago, the Elvis Festival has grown from a few hundred attendees to more than 20,000 attendees and is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Southern hemisphere.

The festival takes place in the first week of January each year in line with Elvis’ birthday, which falls on 8 January. In 2023, the festival will be celebrating its thirtieth birthday, making it the perfect time to visit this incredible corner of regional New South Wales.

While in Parkes, be sure to pay a visit to the town’s other main attraction: ‘The Dish’—a giant radio telescope that played an integral part in the Moon landing.

Only 25 minutes away from Parkes is another must-see destination steep in rich history: the picturesque town of Forbes.

Forbes is well-known for its pristine heritage buildings set alongside gorgeous riverbanks and leafy parks. The creation of a new, world-class sculpture trail shows there’s more to this town in the beautiful Lachlan Valley than meets the eye.

Explore how Forbes has transformed from a colonial gold rush town to a modern-day agricultural hub and be captivated by the stories and relics of the notorious bushrangers that once roamed the area.