Australian Writers Festivals ahead in 2027

(photo credit Lucy Parakhina)

DATE	FESTIVAL
JANUARY 2027
TBA	Mandurah Readers and Writers Festival WA This annual adult literature event is presented by City of Mandurah Library & Heritage Services. The aim of the festival is to foster a love of reading and literature and encourage creativity in our community. The free festival program includes author talks and panel discussions with a wide-ranging selection of authors of fiction and non-fiction works across a variety of topics.
FEBRUARY
TBA	Festival of the Photocopier and Zine Fair Vic  This is a festival exclusively for zine fans: creators, readers and collectors. Venue: 3 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne
TBA	Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival, Orange NSW The Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival returns to the Orange and Cabonne districts in mid-February 2027, marking the 162nd anniversary of Banjo’s birth on 17 February 1864.
12-14	BLUSSH Romance Festival QLD A romance festival for lovers of films and books Venue: Brisbane
19-27	Genre Con QLD GenreCon is the leading conference for genre writers Venue: State Library, Brisbane
27 Feb to 4 March	Adelaide Writers Week SA
TBA	Book Fair Australia Melbourne, Vic Book Fair Australia presents a literary festival that celebrates stories of all genres. We welcome traditionally and independently published authors alike to share their diverse range through dedicated stalls, discussion panels, workshops and more. A thrilling weekend fit for any book lover, come by with friends and family to get your books signed and explore a world of storytelling right in Melbourne. Venue: Melbourne Convention Centre
MARCH
5-7	Scone Festival of Words NSW – biennial A new name, a brilliant theme and so much more – details coming soon
13-14	Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival, Melbourne VIC The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. The 2026 festival will celebrate 21 years of this much-loved local festival hosting 50 writers over 30 events!
13-21	Australian Romance Readers Melbourne—Saturday 13 March 2027 Canberra—Sunday 14 March 2027 Sydney—Sunday 20 March 2027 Brisbane—Saturday 21 March 2027
18-21	Manly Writers Festival NSW This three day festival for readers, writers, and thinkers will bring together ideas and writing, and explore issues at a time of significant change in the world, as well as simply enjoy great stories.
20-21	Clunes Book Town Festival VIC Running from dawn to dusk in the historic township of Clunes in Regional Victoria. A two day festival full of author and artist talks, workshops and live entertainment for the whole family.  Discover the outdoor book bazaar with over a hundred stall holders and immerse yourself in Clunes from cover to cover. It’s worth the visit.
22-24	Somerset Story Fest, Gold Coast, QLD As the premier writers’ festival for the Gold Coast, Storyfest stands as a beacon of literary excellence, and its annual three-day event on the Gold Coast is the cornerstone of this spectacular organisation.
TBA	Kalamunda Readers Festival WA Celebrate the joy of storytelling at the Kalamunda Readers Festival — where books, imagination, and community come together. This exciting event brings readers, writers, and creatives of all ages into one inspiring space to share their passion for literature.
TBA	All About Women Festival NSW All About Women is the Sydney Opera House’s centerpiece talks festival about gender, justice, and equality, held annually in the week of International Women’s Day. For over a decade, the celebrated event has filled our venues with inspiring moments and buzzy, agenda-setting conversations.
APRIL
2-4	Newcastle Writers Festival NSW This festival is one of the largest regional literary festivals in Australia, celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2027.
8-11	Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong, VIC The MFSR Bush Festival Poetry and Music Competition started in 1995 and is now regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the country. Over 25 years Jan Lewis created an iconic calendar event that will now be carried into the future by a new generation of poetry devotees.
16-18	Melbourne ComicCon Melbourne Exhibition Centre
17-18	Footscray West Writers Fest From poetry in a wine bar and bookshop ramblings to library workshops and performances at a pizza restaurant. Don’t miss this fun, immersive and entirely original celebration of storytelling in the west.
29 April – 2 May	Sorrento Writers Festival VIC The Sorrento Writers Festival returns to the Mornington Peninsula with a vast program that celebrates Australia’s finest writers, speakers, creatives and storytellers.
TBA	A Festival of Words and Wonder, Bunbury WA The inaugural Bunbury Libraries Literacy Festival is coming to Bunbury Public Library and Withers Community Library from 7–18 April 2026! For 12 days, immerse yourself in interactive storytelling, inspiring author talks, creative writing and drawing workshops, and fun, family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone, no matter your age.
TBA	Sydney Muslim Writers Festival NSW
TBA	Fitzroy Writers Festival, Vic Delivered by the wonderful team at Yarra Libraries, the Fitzroy Writers Festival returns in 2026 with a stella line up. Click the link for all event and booking details.
TBA	The Greek Australian Writers Festival, Sydney NSWThis year’s authors include Jacqueline Andronicus, Alexandra Dellios, Koraly Dimitriadis, Vrasidas Karalis, Natalie Kyriacou, Helena Pantsis, Nikos Papastergiadis, Peter Papathanasiou, Andrew Pippos, Zoe Terakes, Dina Tourvas, Nadia Wheatley, Andrew Jakubowicz, Angelo Loukakis and Fazal Rizvi.
TBA	Scribblers on the Road (WA) is returning to the Pilbara for the fourth year, bringing a free storytelling and arts festival to regional schools and libraries. We’re also excited to announce that next year, we’ll be heading to the Goldfields, with a bus full of global creative stars.
MAY
TBA	KidLitVic The Langham Hotel, Southbank, Melbourne General Admission tickets SOLD OUT
1-3	Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival, Maroochydore QLD This idyllic region will once again play host to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival, a celebration of words, stories, and creativity that draws writers, readers, and thinkers from across Australia.
14-15	Kyogle Writers Festival, NSW Located on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung people, our small art deco town takes great pride in hosting this community-led biennial celebration of the best that contemporary Australian writing has to offer.  A warm welcome awaits you, whether you are a visiting writer, volunteer or patron.
14-16	Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival WA This festival is the flagship annual literature event of Arts Margaret River. It is a 3-day storytelling spectacular featuring top Australian writers, journalists, innovators and big thinkers.
16-19	Melbourne Writers Festival VIC One of Australia’s most loved literary institutions, Melbourne Writers Festival brings writers and readers together to be inspired, challenged and thrilled by an intelligent, rousing and diverse program of events celebrating books and ideas.
20-30	Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Events VIC Melbourne Art Book Fair, NGV: Stall Holder Fair VIC
17-23	Sydney Writers Festival NSW Each year, more than 400 writers take part in over 300 conversations, debates, performances and panel discussions to audiences of more than 80,000. “Australia’s most beloved celebration of literature, stories and ideas”.
27-30	NT Writers Festival, Darwin NT The NT Writers Festival (NTWF) is a four-day festival that emphasises Australia’s cultural and linguistic diversity, bringing people together to share story, language and culture. The 2026 theme is Navigating
28-29	Capricorn Coast Writers Festival QLD Stories by the Sea – back for the fifth year in 2026!
TBA	Island Readers and Writers Festival, Hobart TAS The inaugural Nipaluna / Hobart Readers and Writers Festival will be a vibrant four-day celebration of literature, story-telling and creating connection, was celebrate in May/June of 2026
TBA	Denmark Festival of Voice, Denmark, WA Denmark Festival of Voice began as a singing concert for choirs in the region in 2003. It is one of only two dedicated vocal festivals in Australia. The festival explores diversity, intergenerational singing and professional development in sound tech and vocal training.
TBA	Write Here, Lake Macquarie, NSW Write Here is a place for writers and readers to be inspired. Hear tips, tricks and tales from local and visiting authors across three days of workshops, discussions and presentations.
TBA	Addi Road Writers Festival, Marrickville NSW
TBA	Bathurst Readers and Writers Festival
JUNE
2-7	Words on the Waves Writers Festival, Central Coast NSW With author talks and panels, as well as evening conversation events, writing workshops, local book launches, a literary cruise, family fun day, schools program and more, the festival offers a diverse range of high quality literary events for both the Central Coast community and visitors to the area.
11-13	Bellingen Writers Festival NSW A line-up of literary talent, workshops, readings and displays comes to the picturesque town.
11-13	Woodend Winter Arts Vic The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is an annual celebration, showcasing the very best of classical music from Australia and internationally, along with a literary and visual arts program. The event takes place across various venues in the village of Woodend in the Macedon Ranges.
11-18	Stratford Shakespeare Festival Stratford, VIC For 30 years Stratford has hosted The Shakespeare on the River Festival, centered around the works and life of William Shakespeare.
22-25	Outback Writers Festival, Winton, QLD Held annually in Winton, Queensland, this festival aims to engage writers and readers in Australian stories. Another aim is to encourage the children of isolated and rural families and indigenous children to engage in more reading and writing of stories that they can associate with.
17-20	Storyfest NSW (Ulladulla) – biennial StoryFest is a celebration of storytelling in all its forms – oral, written, prose, poetry, song or film.
26-27	Rose Scott Women’s Writers Festival NSW Biennial festival, next up June 2027
TBA	Monash Word Fest Vic WordFest is Monash Council’s annual literature festival brought to you by the Monash Public Library Service. The festival brings readers and writers together for a series of author talks, writing workshops and the Monash Short Story Writing Competition.
TBA	Boorowa Literary Festival NSW
TBA	Glen EiraStorytelling Festival Melbourne, VIC Each year, the Glen Eira Storytelling Festival brings our community together with a series of events and programs for all ages and interests. Delivered by the Glen Eira City Council.
TBA	Surf Coast Writers Festival, Torquay VIC Hoping this festival returns for the second time in 2027
TBA	Winter Writers Roundtable VIC Mount Beauty, Bright & Myrtleford
TBA	Willy Lit Fest, Williamstown VIC This three-day literary festival takes place in the Town Hall and Library in Williamstown. It features more than 80 authors participating in 50 events and is run by a volunteer committee of locals, supplemented by more than 30 volunteers at festival time.
TBA	WordFest Toowoomba, QLD An exciting festival of writing, reading, authors, poetry, illustration, and wordplay for all ages and tastes – a feast of WORDS!
TBA	Words out West, Dalby, QLD For readers, writers and word-lovers alike, in Western Downs!
JULY
2-4	National Young Writers Festival NSW (TBC)
10	Riverina Readers Festival, Wagga Wagga, NSW Riverina Readers Festival values the joy of reading, the sharing of knowledge behind stories and storytellers, and providing opportunities for our regional communities to connect in person and online through words.
16-19	Mildura Writers Festival VIC Held in July, the Mildura Writers Festival presents four days of words, food and wine featuring Australian and international writers.
23 July – 1 August	Melbourne Rare Book Fair Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne VIC The Melbourne Rare Book Fair’ is the major annual book fair of ANZAAB and one of only a few rare book fairs in the Southern hemisphere.
29 July to 1 Aug	The Kimberley Writers Festival, WA
TBA	Story Arts Festival West Moreton QLD (biennial, next up 2028) The StoryArts Festival Ipswich began in 1995 as the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature and has been held every two years since then. The festival offers FREE sessions for children. The Ipswich Festival is organised and funded mainly by the Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network.
TBA	Southern Highlands Writers Festival Bowral, NSW 2027 will celebrate the 16th year of this much-loved festival
TBA	South Coast Readers & Writers Festival, NSW Program to be announced – Thirroul
TBA	Apollo Bay WordFest VIC For more than 30 years the good folk of Apollo Bay have celebrated words:written, spoken, debated, performed, sung.
TBA	Q-Lit Fest VIC A festival for the storytellers and those who love a story. Various venues: Kensington Town Hall, Mission to Seafarers, Victorian Pride Centre
TBA	Warrnambool Story Telling Festival VIC A dozen events showcasing stories in their many forms will unfold across ten days, illuminating the Warrnambool winter with inspiration, reflection, and connection
TBA	CYA Conference Brisbane, Qld Children, Young Adult, and Adult Writers’ and Illustrators’ Conference, is a conference for writers and illustrators of all ages, all genres. This conference offers a wide range of professional development sessions that cater to various writing genres, including children’s board books and fiction novels for adults.
TBA	Willoughby Literary Festival, NSW The Willoughby Literary Festival is back for its second year, and bookings are now open. ✨ Venue: Willoughby Library
TBA	Orange Readers and Writers Festival NSW Venue: The Hotel Canobolas, Orange
AUGUST
1-31	Red Room Poetry Month August is Poetry Month – a national celebration of Australian poetry. Launched in 2021 by Red Room Poetry, Poetry Month aims to increase access, awareness and visibility of poetry in all its forms and for all audiences. Program launched in July.
14	Sweet Love Romance & Romantasy Book Fair NSW
16-18	Australian Fairy Tale Conference VIC Melbourne
20-22	Byron Writers Festival NSW As Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas, Byron Writers Festival captivates with renowned authors, thought-provoking discussions and inspiring Workshops and Feature Events.
21-27	CBCA Book Week
20-22	Phillip Island Festival of Stories Cowes, VIC Inspiring, uplifting, entertaining, challenging and thought-provoking; no topic is off limits as Phillip Island Festival of Stories empowers a diverse group of people to tell their tales in their favourite form.
20-22	Romance Writers of Australia (RWAUS) Darwin, NT
20-22	Words In Winter Daylesford VIC Words in Winter is an annual literary festival held each August on Djaara country and across the twin towns of Daylesford and Hepburn. The volunteer-led festival brings together writers, readers and storytellers from across the region and beyond to celebrate words in all their forms – from page to stage. Across five days of conversations, readings, workshops and performances, local creators and visiting artists will share ideas, craft and imagination with audiences of all ages.
26-29	Perth Poetry Festival State Library WA This annual Poetry Festival is organised by WA Poets Inc and features invited national and local poets plus ample opportunities for public participation in a diverse program of free and low cost events.
27-29	Dunkeld Writers Festival VIC 2026 will see the fifth annual writers festival in picturesque Dunkeld.
28-29	Local WordGeelong VIC Local Word brings our diverse local writing communities together through workshops, panel discussions, authors in-conversation and literary-themed social events.
31 Aug-2 Sept	Somerset Storyfest – South West St George region, QLD Rarely– if ever–do writers festivals come to the outback, Storyfest seeks to change this: making inspiration accessible to all.
TBA	Bendigo Writers Festival VIC This festival is in doubt after the drama of 2025. The Bendigo City Council has provided support to prepare for the return of Bendigo Writers Festival in 2027.
TBA	Melbourne Jewish Book Week VIC
TBA	Currumbin Crime Writers Festival, QLD
TBA	Mudgee Readers’ Festival NSW The Mudgee Readers’ Festival — will celebrate 17 years in 2027— exists to share the joy of reading with our vibrant community. MRF is run by a passionate and dedicated team of volunteers, with essential support from Mid-Western Regional Council libraries.
biennial, next event 2027 TBA	Celebrate Reading Conference, WA by the Literature Centre After a successful run, we’ve decided to make the conference a biennial event to allow for even more planning and growth, partnering with CBCA to bring a fresh and innovative conference.
TBA	Red Dirt Poetry Festival NT – biennial (next up 2028) The poetry festival in the heart of Australia that brings in poets from around the Territory with visiting interstate and international poets.
SEPTEMBER
8-10	Somerset Storyfest – Out West QLD Longreach
8-12	Write Around the Murray – Albury Writers Festival NSW Write Around the Murray (WAM) is a five day writers’ festival in Albury. We present high quality, affordable literary programs to audiences on the border of regional NSW and Victoria.
10-12	Whitsundays Writers Festival Airlie Beach, QLD This three day event will comprise an engaging mixture of genres from crime to memoir, romance to screenwriting, and more, as well as interactive workshops, panel discussions and author talks.
19	Fish Creek Fishy Stories VIC Fishy Stories is where kids young and old… will be able to meet each other, guided and motivated by recognised wonderful authors, illustrators and performers, who will assist children to become  authors, illustrators and story tellers.
	Blak and Bright VIC – biennial, next up 2028 Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival is based in Naarm (Melbourne). Established in 2016, the four day showcase celebrates the diverse expressions of First Nations writers and covers all genres from oral stories to epic novels and plays to poetry. We believe that Blak stories are for everyone.
TBA	Eumundi Writers Festival QLD The inaugual Eumundi Writers Festival was held in 2025 and is returned in 2026. Fingers crossed it’s on again in 2027
TBA	Sketch and Scribble Fest, Surf Coast VIC Each year children’s writers and illustrators of all levels – beginner writers and sketchers to published authors and illustrators – gather on the Surf Coast and on-line to connect and learn from publishers and published experts.
TBA	Emerging Writers Festival VIC EWF provides opportunities for emerging writers to develop professionally, and supports them to engage new and larger audiences. Featuring: National Writers Conference
TBA	Port Fairy Literary Weekend VIC The Port Fairy Literary Weekend is a not-for-profit cultural organisation, set up to celebrate and promote Australian writing, to bring authors from across Australia to this special corner of the world, and in so doing build networks and engagement between writers and readers. Jo Canham and her team always deliver a vibrant festival weekend!
TBA	Writers Unleashed – Sutherland Shire Writers Festival NSW (biennial festival, next up 2028) Venue: Kirrawee Library
TBA	North Australian Festival of Stories Townsville QLD Townsville City Council presents the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA), a celebration of arts, culture, inclusion, and community. During the festival period, NAFA transforms Townsville with eclectic and vibrant events that include comedy, dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts, cabaret, workshops and so much more.
TBA	Northern Beaches Readers Festival NSW – biennial, next up 2028 The Northern Beaches Readers’ Festival Inc is an event focused on connecting readers with popular Australian authors, that will feature some of Australia’s leading authors in panel discussions and more intimate ‘in conversation’ events. Located in the picturesque beachside village of Avalon, 37km north of the Sydney CBD.
OCTOBER
TBA	Melbourne Kids Bookfest, Southbank VIC Melbourne Kids Book Fest is two days of storytelling, illustration, books and fun. Meet your favourite authors, enter a storytelling competition, go on a scavenger hunt, beat a bookish escape room and join in some fantastic workshops!
TBA	Totally Lit Fremantle, WA
1-3	Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival This 3 day festival celebrating authors and readers, will include writing workshops, author panels, special guests and entertainment. The book signing will be a two day event where we invite readers of all fiction genres to meet and chat with our authors
9	Love Your Bookshop Day
7-10	Brisbane Writers Festival QLD As Australia’s oldest continuous writers’ festival, BWF has a long and storied history of connecting communities, showcasing creativity and finding just the right words.
9-10	Mansfield Readers & Writers Festival VIC ( biennial) Mansfield Readers and Writers celebrates storytelling in all its forms.
14-17	Canberra Writers Festival ACT Founded in 2016, the Canberra Writer’s Festival has become a beloved event in the national literary calendar – a favourite amongst Australia’s reading, writing and publishing communities
15-17	Festival of Stories, Echuca/Moama Spend the weekend with friends — at long literary lunches under the vines, powerful spoken word, live music after dark, country wisdom shared over scones and tea, art and comedy, lively conversations and creative workshops you won’t find anywhere else. Program to follow
20-24	Ubud Writers & Readers Festival A yearly pilgrimage for word lovers worldwide, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival transcends cultural and physical borders, inviting both artists and audiences to enjoy and participate in public discussions, intimate literary lunches, live performances and hands-on workshops where budding writers can learn new skills and get feedback from experts.
TBA	Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival VIC The Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival is a celebration of writers and readers in the Dandenong Ranges and beyond, inspiring and educating new and emerging writers, showcasing a diversity of literary styles, and igniting literary debate and conversation. Returning in 2026 for its second year.
TBA	Tasmanian Poetry Festival TAS The Tasmanian Poetry Festival commenced in 1985 and is held annually, normally over the first full weekend in October. Local and guest poets are invited to Launceston to share their work at a range of events held over the Festival weekend.
Due again 2028	Western Port Writes, VIC – biennial, due next 2028 Western Port Writes (WPW) is a biennial literary festival based in the Western Port region of the Mornington Peninsula, held in Somers and surrounds. Designed to celebrate creativity and the art of the story, it showcases established and emerging writers connected to our region and beyond.
TBA	Newstead Young Writers Festival Vic This wonderful new festival debuted in 2024 and will be back again in 2026.
TBA	Queenscliffe Literary Festival VIC The Queenscliffe Literary Festival is a celebration of Australian writers, books and ideas featuring some of our finest authors and thinkers in a program of events designed to stimulate thought and discussion.
	Tamar Valley Writers Festival TAS – biennial, due again 2028 Set amid Launceston’s historic architectural beauty, lush vineyards, and natural bushland as a backdrop, the Tamar Valley Writers Festival is a treasured part of Tasmania’s cultural calendar and one of the largest writer’s festivals outside an Australian capital city.
TBA	Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival, Geraldton, WA The 2026 theme is POWER OF EXPRESSION
TBA	Headland Writers Festival Tathra NSW Across three days, the spectacular Tathra headland will serve as a backdrop to an abundance of author in-conversations, panel discussions, workshops, poetry, exhibitions, theatre and music performances.
TBA	Sonic Poetry Festival Melbourne VIC Sonic Poetry Festival is a community-based grassroots poetry and spoken word festival based in Melbourne / Naarm.
TBA	Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival Katoomba NSW Presented by Varuna, the National Writers’ House, the Festival will take place in Katoomba amid the spectacular surrounds of the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains.
TBA	Mount Beauty Writers Festival VIC Come and enjoy the stories of award winning authors, from thriller and crime novelists, biographies, romance, lifestyle and adventure! Experience an intimate connection and celebration of books with the amazing authors who write them, all taking place in the picturesque Alpine setting of Mount Beauty Victoria.
NOVEMBER
TBA	Trans Book Festival, Melbourne
	Berry Writers Festival NSW Because Words Matter – biennial, due again 2028 Three days of ideas and inspiration in the beautiful historic village of Berry.
TBA	Mountain Writers Festival, Macedon, VIC The festival, founded by local author and director Sonia Orchard in 2022, is Australia’s first writers’ festival dedicated exclusively to the environment, centreing on a “Place, Story, Nature” theme. The 2026 program will feature readings, conversations, workshops and special events for readers and writers of all ages and stages.
TBA	Bad Crime Sydney Writers Festival Sydney NSW The BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival is an annual event that explores what crime can tell us about human beings today and in the past. Speakers include writers, reporters and film-makers, and professionals from the justice system such as detectives, judges and psychologists.
TBA	Bondi Writers Festival NSW This exciting new event in the Bondi cultural calendar brings together an inspiring and entertaining mix of authors, subject matter experts and raconteurs for a celebration of books, ideas and community. (With Gertrudew & Alice, and Waverley Council)
TBA	Festival of Fiction, Joondaloop, WA The Festival of Fiction will soon be back bigger and better than ever, featuring 80+ authors across two days from 21–22 November 2026. Progam release July 18.
TBA	HNSA History Unbound Novel Festiva Venue: Parramatta Town Hall
TBA	True Story Festival by South Coast Writers, Wollongong, NSW
TBA	Australian Short Story Festival Perth WA An exciting program that includes writing workshops, panel discussions, interviews, a literary mock-debate and a great deal of fun, featuring some of the best short story writers from around Australia and from overseas.