Clubmates Travel
What Our Supported Tour to the Parkes Elvis Festival Really Looks Like
Posted on January 31, 2026 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 11 minutes
Every year, the Parkes Elvis Festival transforms a regional town into a place full of music, colour, costumes, and connection. For our passengers, it is more than a festival. It is a chance to be part of something bigger, to step into the community, and to experience the joy of shared moments with the right support beside them.
Our recent supported tour to the Elvis Festival brought together adults with a range of disabilities, many of whom would not be able to attend a large-scale event like this on their own. With specialist planning, experienced support crew, and a flexible approach, the week became a powerful example of what community inclusion can look like when it is done well.
This is what really happened on tour.
What a Festival Day Looks Like for Support Crew
From the outside, a festival day looks fun and relaxed. For support crew, it starts early and finishes late.
Natalie, one of our experienced support workers, describes festival days as long but rewarding. Mornings begin with helping passengers get ready, supporting personal care routines, organising breakfast, medications, and mobility aids, and preparing everyone for a full day ahead.
Getting into the festival itself is a logistical exercise. Parking, walking distances, crowd movement, and accessibility all need to be considered. Some passengers manage well with walkers in the morning but fatigue later in the day. Others may need to swap to a wheelchair at short notice.
Support crews are constantly assessing, adapting, and adjusting plans on the go. A show might mean a rest beforehand. A late-night means pacing the afternoon. Flexibility is not optional. It is essential.
As Natalie explains, things can change quickly. What looks manageable at the start of the day may need a different approach an hour later. Having the equipment, the knowledge, and the confidence to adapt is what keeps passengers safe and supported without taking away the fun.
The Power of Teamwork on the Road
One of the strongest themes from this tour was teamwork.
Supported group travel only works when crew work together. It is never about one worker and one passenger. Needs overlap. Situations arise. Help is shared constantly.
Festival environments add extra layers. Crowds, noise, long days, and late nights can all increase fatigue or anxiety. Support crew rely on each other to step in when needed, whether that is assisting with transfers, calming a passenger, or giving someone space when they need a break.
Natalie highlights that tours run best when the team communicates well and supports each other. When that happens, passengers feel it too. They relax, they engage more, and they feel secure knowing there is a whole team looking out for them.
Behaviour Changes on Tour that Surprise Everyone
One of the most meaningful outcomes from the tour was watching a passenger named Peter transform over the course of the week.
In the first few days, Peter struggled. He was loud, had unintended vulgar outbursts, and kept to himself. His behaviour was challenging, and it would have been easy to label the trip as too much for him.
But something shifted. As the days went on, Peter started to connect with the group. He made friends. He felt included. His behaviour softened. The swearing stopped. His tone changed. By the end of the trip, he was social, calm, and deeply connected to the people around him.
This is the power of supported group experiences.
When people feel safe, accepted, and part of something, their behaviour often reflects that. Confidence grows. Anxiety reduces. Social skills develop naturally, not through therapy rooms, but through real life.
Finding Joy Again Despite Hard Life Circumstances
Not every story is simple or easy, and it is important to acknowledge that.
One passenger, Claire, lives with dementia and has deteriorated significantly since previous trips. Much of the time, she was distressed and crying, particularly on the bus or during busy moments. These situations are heartbreaking for everyone involved.
But even in the middle of that, there were moments that mattered.
Natalie recalls seeing glimpses of the old Claire return. Singing along. Smiling. Swinging her drink in the air. Throwing her cardigan at Elvis during a performance.
Those moments were brief, but they were real.
For families, carers, and support teams, these moments are everything. They remind us why experiences outside the home still matter, even when they are complex. They also reinforce the importance of choosing the right trip type for each person as their needs change.
Knowing When a festival Is Not the Right Fit
One of the most honest and important reflections from this tour was around suitability.
Large festivals are busy, loud, and demanding. They involve long days, late nights, and constant stimulation. For some people, that is exciting. For others, it can be overwhelming.
Natalie speaks openly about the responsibility of booking teams and houses to really understand a person’s current capabilities. Just because someone attended a festival in the past does not mean it is still the right option now.
For some passengers, smaller group trips or one-on-one supported travel may be more appropriate. These options still offer connection and joy, but at a pace that suits the individual.
This honesty is part of ethical supported travel. It is not about filling spots. It is about making sure people get genuine value, enjoyment, and safety from their experience.
A Community That Welcomes Our Group
One of the standout positives of the Elvis Festival in Parkes is the way the community embraces inclusion.
Throughout the week, locals and other festivalgoers approached the group with kindness and encouragement. People recognised the group from previous years and welcomed them back. Accessibility within the festival grounds was strong, and there were no issues with exclusion or misunderstanding.
This kind of community response makes a massive difference.
When passengers feel welcomed, not tolerated, it changes the entire experience. It reinforces that they belong in public spaces, at events, and in the heart of the community.
The Deeper Meaning to Festivals
Festivals are not just entertainment. They are social spaces where people connect, express themselves, and feel part of something shared.
For adults with disabilities, accessing these spaces often requires specialist support, planning, and experience. When that support is done well, the outcomes go far beyond the event itself.
We see:
- Increased confidence
- Improved social skills
- Stronger peer connections
- Behaviour changes driven by inclusion
- Joy, pride, and a sense of belonging
No large group festival tour is perfect, but they are powerful. Our Youtube video shows exactly why supported travel exists and why experienced teams make such a difference.
Thinking About a Supported Festival Experience?
If you or someone you support is considering a supported festival trip, the most important step is having an honest conversation about needs, energy levels, and the right type of experience.
Our team takes the time to understand each person before recommending a trip, whether that is a large group festival, a calmer experience, or a more personalised journey.
Because when the right match is made, the results speak for themselves.
Browse Our Supported Festivals and Book Yours Today!
Get in touch with our friendly team to talk through options, ask questions, or explore upcoming supported tours. We are here to help make meaningful experiences possible, safely and respectfully.
China is one of those countries that keeps surprising people—especially when you see the landscapes that don’t even look real. Towering rainbow mountains, glass walkways over steep cliffs, mist-covered peaks that inspired movies like Avatar—China’s natural wonders feel like stepping into another world.
And guess what? With the right support and planning, these mind-blowing places can be explored by people of all abilities. At ClubMates Travel, we believe that accessible travel should be more than just getting from A to B—it should be about awe, wonder, and saying “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Here are a few incredible spots in China that look out of this world—and why they might just end up on your travel wishlist.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – The Real-Life Pandora
Ever seen floating mountains? Well, you’re about to. Zhangjiajie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration behind the flying mountains in Avatar. Giant stone pillars rise up through misty clouds—it’s so surreal it feels like CGI.
There are cable cars and glass elevators that take you up into the peaks, and accessible walkways in many areas, making this a great option for travel for people with disabilities when paired with the right support crew.
The Rainbow Mountains – Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Imagine layers of red, orange, gold, and green rock stretched across rolling hills. These colourful formations look like someone took a paintbrush to the land. They’re even more breathtaking in person.
The Rainbow Mountains are best explored in daylight hours when the colours shine brightest. Some viewing platforms and paths are paved and can be navigated with mobility assistance. Like all our accessible holidays, having specialist travel support makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces – A Living Mirror
At sunrise or sunset, the rice terraces of Yuanyang reflect the sky like an enormous mirror. It’s peaceful, dreamlike, and incredibly calming—perfect for travellers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and just take it all in.
This spot is especially powerful for people who are working toward NDIS goals like mindfulness, emotional regulation, or confidence in new environments. With supported travel, it’s more than sightseeing—it becomes a sensory and emotional experience.
The Glass Bridge – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
If you’re feeling brave, there’s a 430-metre-long glass bridge suspended over the canyon. Yes—it’s see-through. But it’s also safe, sturdy, and absolutely unforgettable. For those not afraid of heights, this is an epic moment that will stick with you for life.
We understand that thrill-seeking looks different for everyone. At ClubMates, our support crew are trained to encourage, not push—so passengers can take part in activities at their own comfort level.
Jiuzhaigou Valley – China’s Fairytale Water World
Think turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou is a dreamscape—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. It’s also one of the more accessible nature parks in China, with eco buses and walkways that help make the journey smoother.
This kind of environment is great for building confidence, promoting social participation, and feeling part of something beautiful.
Why China? Why ClubMates?
Travelling to a country as big and bold as China might feel impossible—but that’s where we come in. As one of Australia’s most experienced NDIS holiday providers, we specialise in international supported travel that opens up the world for people with disabilities. We design every itinerary to work toward common NDIS goals—things like independence, community access, resilience, and joy.
Our team handles everything: accessible hotels, ground transport, daily activities, and of course, personal support workers who are trained specifically for disability travel.
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Great Wall, watching lanterns float across the sky, or standing in a place that feels like another planet—then maybe it’s time to get curious.
ClubMates makes accessible travel across the globe achievable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
Talk to our team about our upcoming tours to China or ask about designing your own supported adventure. We’ll help you figure out how your supports work with your NDIS funding and what out-of-pocket costs you can expect.
Because no one should miss out on the wonders of the world—especially you.
