All aboard the Elvis Express

Elvis fans today gathered at Sydney's Central Station where they prepared to board the 'Elvis Express' to this year's Parkes Elvis Festival, celebrating Elvis Presley's 79th birthday.

Hundreds of Elvis fans boarded the 'Elvis Express' in Sydney, bound for the NSW town of Parkes, for the annual Elvis Festival. (Image: Rhiannon Elston, SBS)

It has been 36 years since the King of Rock left the building, yet more than 18,000 fans from all ages and walks of life are expected to attend the five-day 22nd Parkes Elvis Festival at the Parkes Leagues Club. 

Reliving the rock n' roll era of Elvis, a sea of wigs and blue suede shoes flooded the 'Elvis Express', making their way to the jam-packed event. 

It's the 12th year that NSW TrainLink has organised the express to the Elvis festival at Parkes in NSW's central west.

This year the train was sold out with about 300 fans spending $179 each on the round trip.

Many fans said they attended the tribute annually.

One fan told SBS this year marked her 10th visit to the Parkes Elvis Festival. 

Her reason: "It's just so much fun!"