In the years before the pandemic, almost twenty literary festivals were held in Victoria. In 2023 there are thirty-nine festivals are planned, with twenty-one to be held in rural and regional areas. It seems literary tourism is alive and well!
Two festivals added to the calendar this year, one in Mansfield, and one in Sorrento, are very welcome additions and provide wonderful destinations for literary enjoyment.
The Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival was put together by a dedicated team of volunteers and delivered a wonderful weekend of author panels, masterclasses, poetry and a short story writing competition.
In April 2023, Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula will host the inaugural Sorrento Writers Festival — a four-day festival uniting readers, writers and creatives through the written word. The brainchild of award-winning journalist, podcaster, former bookshop owner and Festival Director Corrie Perkin, the not-for-profit event will encourage deep thinking and compelling conversations via meet the author events, keynote speeches, panel discussions, a business seminar, readings, musical performances, children’s programs, and an en masse book club.
More than 100 emerging and established writers journalists, commentators, playwrights, academics, illustrators and musicians will gather on the peninsular, with the majority of the events taking place at the iconic Continental Sorrento, having recently emerged from a $100 million renovation to become one of Victoria’s luxury destinations. Early bird tickets are on sale until March 31st.
Please see below a list of rural and regional writers festivals, or head to our literary calendar to see all festivals across Australia in 2023.
| Festival | DATES | |||
| Apollo Bay Word Fest | 29-30 July 2023 | |||
| Bendigo Writers Festival | 4-7 May 2023 | |||
| Castlemaine State Festival – Dialogues | 24 March – April 9 2023 | |||
| Clunes Book Week | 25-26 March 2023 | |||
| Dunkeld Writers Festival | 17-20 August 2023 | |||
| Fish Creek Fishy Stories | 18-19 November 2023 | |||
| Latrobe Literary Festival | TBC | |||
| Local Word (Geelong) | TBC | |||
| Man From Snowy River Bush Festival (Corryong) | 13-16 April 2023 | |||
| Mansfield Readers & Writers Festival | 4-5 March 2023 | |||
| Mildura Writers Festival | 13-17 July 2023 | |||
| Mountain Writers Festival (Macedon Ranges) | TBC | |||
| Port Fairy Literary Weekend | 8-10 September 2023 | |||
| Queer Victorian Festival of Words | Ballarat 15 Jan 2023 Shepparton 21 Jan 2023 Geelong 1 April 2023 | |||
| Queenscliff Writers Festival | 12-28 May 2023 | |||
| Shakespeare on the River Festival (Stratford) | 23 April-13 May 2023 | |||
| Sorrento Writers Festival | 27-30 April 2023 | |||
| Woodend Winter Arts | 9-12 June 2023 | |||
| Winter Words, Beechworth | 21-25 June 2023 | |||
| Words in Winter (Daylesford) | TBC | |||
| Write Around the Murray (Albury/Wodonga) | 13-17 September 2023 | |||
| Yarram StoryFest | TBC |
As Literary Listings is predominantly to promote Victorian literary events, the remainder of this page presents a brief overview of many of the fabulous literary festivals held in this state. The charismatic towns of Apollo Bay, Clunes and Mildura have been hosting literary festivals for more than twenty years and, in recent times, many regional communities have picked up on the phenomenon that is literary tourism, and have added unique and engaging literary events to a busy literary calendar. Wonderful opportunities have been created for book lovers, readers and writers to enjoy their passion in some of Victoria’s most picturesque destinations.
Apollo Bay Word Fest: 29th-30th July, 2023
This weekend of literary events is designed to engage readers and writers in their passion for language and its uses. There has been a literary festival in Apollo Bay for over twenty years.
The challenges seen in 2020 meant this long-running festival became digital. A highly entertaining evening of spoken word, Poetry & Pies, performed by many of the talented locals, was aired via the festival’s website. The long running Sunday literary event, Warm Winter Words, was heard as a podcast, when Kate Mildenhall from The First Time podcast interviewed three fabulous Australian authors, Tony Birch, Lucy Treloar and Michael Veitc
The program for the 2021 festival included a podcast of the annual Warm Winter Words event featuring authors Kate Grenville, Mirandi Riwoe, Dr Sally Cockburn & Beth Wilson.
Bendigo Writers Festival: 4th-7th May, 2023
From humble beginnings in 2012, the Bendigo Writers Festival is now an annual three-day event which gathers more than 100 writers for discussions about every kind of writing under the sun.
In 2020 COVID-19 disrupted the planned festival but the festival continued to support writers and readers with Backstory, an e-event series, featuring interviews and discussions with writers. Authors featured included: Fleur Ferris, Pip Williams, Annika Smethurst, Jessie Tu and Imbi Neeme.
In 2021, a 3-day multi-venue program was held, partnered with the City of Greater Bendigo’s Gastronomy office and promoted food sustainability as part of the Festival’s commitment to championing discussion about the environment and healthy futures.
An impressive guest list in 2022 included Julia Banks, Annika Smethurst, Jenny Valentish, Stephanie Alexander, Lisa Wilkinson, Elizabeth Gilbert, Norman Swan, Andrew Pippos, Rosemary Sorrensen, Vanessa Len, Kate Mildenhall, Jane Rawson, Lucy Treloar, Charlotte Wood and many many more!
Clunes Booktown: 25th – 26th March, 2022
Clunes is a small town approximately 140km north of Melbourne. Since 2007 it has been the site of the annual Clunes Booktown Festival. The tiny town transforms into an amazing whole town bookshop experience and is now a member of the prestigious International Organisation of Booktowns – the only village in Australia to be recognised internationally.
Coal Creek Literary Festival: TBA
In 2021 the Coal Creek Literary Festival featured author Alice Robinson, author of The Glad Shout in a podcast interview.
Each year a short story and poetry writing competition is held.
Latrobe Literary Festival: TBA
The Latrobe Literary Festival was first held in 2016 as a morning workshop and an afternoon author panel. It has grown since to include more diverse events such as performances, poetry and children’s activities. It is held annually in late May, usually during Library and Information Week.
An important aspect of the festival programming is to include local authors, whether for talks or as tutors. Over the years, we’ve programmed Gippsland-based writers Honey Brown, Scot Gardner, Margareta Osborn, Alice Robinson and more.
Latrobe Literary Festival is billed as ‘your local festival for all things reading and writing’. We want to break down the perception that literary festivals are elite or only for city folk. Everyone is welcome to attend our festival and enjoy its relaxed vibe.
Lighthouse Literary Fest: TBA
Perhaps one of the more unique literary festivals, the Lighthouse Literary Fest is more than a writers’ festival.
The Sunday Literary Lunch series has been running since 2011 in Aireys’s Inlet. Held in conjunction with Great Escape Books, the event is an intimate gourmet lunch celebrating words on the page, on the stage, on screen, in theatre and in music. The previous guest lists read like a who’s who of Australian literature and includes Tony Birch, Mark Brandi, Judith Brett, Martin Flanagan, Richard Glover, Chis Hammer, Anna Krien, Kate Midenhall, Favel Parrett, Bruce Pascoe, Hannie Rayson Jock Serong, Lucy Treloar, Charlotte Wood and Clare Wright.
Mildura Writers Festival: 13 – 17 July, 2023
Founded in 1994 by chef Stefano de Pieri and his wife Donata Carrazza, The Mildura Writers Festival is a literary event like no other, regarded as one of the finest literary festivals in Australia.
Showcasing some of Australia’s foremost writers, the festival offers writers and readers the chance to intermingle freely around wood fires and intimate dinners showcasing local and regional food and wines.
Each year the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal is presented to an outstanding Australian writer. Previous winners include, in no particular order and from a very impressive list of writers, David Malouf, Sonya Hartnett, Don Watson, Gail Jones, Clive James.
Mountain Writers Festival, Macedon Ranges: TBA
The Mountain Writers Festival is a weekend writers festival, produced by the Macedon Ranges Literary Association (MRLA).
The festival focuses on place, story and nature not just as a theme, but as the festival’s entire purpose now and into the future. The festival will include author panels and in-conversation events showcasing novels with regional settings, environmental science writing, Indigenous storytelling, nature writing, cli-fi and an exciting kids program created by renowned children’s author, Sally Rippin. Sally, along with John Marsden are the festival ambassadors.
Phillip Island Festival of Stories: TBA
The Phillip Island Festival of Stories is held at the Cowes Cultural and Heritage Centre, Phillip Island, Victoria.
The aim of the Festival is to celebrate all forms of storytelling; including songs, comedy, visual art, local history stories, poetry, theatre, film and published authors.
With the challenges of 2020, the Island Story Gatherers in association with Bass Coast Shire Council, curated digital events including: Zoom conversations with authors Angela Savage and Pip Williams, Tony Birch and Chris Flynn; a digital event with author Chris Flynn in conversation with New York Times best selling author Helen Brown; and the Creative Collaborations and Connection to Country recorded conversation between Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir, Lisa Kennedy and Dr Laura Brearley. Aunty Fay and Lisa’s collaboration, Respect, was published by Magabala books.
Port Fairy Winter Weekends: TBA
Winter Weekends in Port Fairy have been around for 15 years. The cold months are brightened with a diverse and exciting mix of events with activities falling under 4 main pillars: Community; Arts; Food and Wine; Environment.
The festival is an opportunity to showcase the incredible depth of artistic talent that exists in the region. Whether your interest is in performance, music, painting, design, photography, craft, sculpture, fashion, pottery, film or literature, you will uncover hidden gems as you meet the people behind the wo
In 2021 literary events were held at Blarney Books & Art as part of the main Winter Weekends Festival. A fabulous program included guest authors Dmetri Kakmi, Kate Hazel Hall, RWR McDonald, Lyn Yeowat, Michael Winkler, Wayne Marshall, Jock Serong, Don Watson, Nicki Greenberg, Danielle Binks, Michelle Scott-Tucker and Nicole Kelly.
2022 guests included Kate Grenville, Jock Serong, Angela Savage, Robert Gott, Mykaela Saunders, Jack Latimore, Andrew Nette, Matt Neal, Maya Linnell, Alison Reynolds, RWR McDonald, Jonathon Butler, Emma Viskic, Hilary Harper, Lucy Treloar and many many more!
Queenscliffe Literary Festival: TBA
Beginning in 2015, the Queenscliffe Literary Festival is a niche literary festival celebrating Australian authors with events in Queenscliffe and Point Lonsdale, over three weekends in May.
The festival is a not-for-profit event run entirely by volunteers, embracing all sectors of the community, with a range of authors presenting from different age groups and backgrounds. The program aims to be inclusive, accessible, thought-provoking and diverse. It celebrates Australian literature across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, music and art delivering an exciting and diverse range of authors, artists, musicians and artisans to the Borough of Queenscliffe and the wider community.
Shakespeare on the River: 23 April – 13 May, 2023
The annual Shakespeare on the River Festival runs each April/May in Stratford, a town 230km east of Melbourne. The festival has created an enduring Arts legacy for Stratford that showcases community, professional theatre and the broader Arts scene.
For nearly 30 years Stratford has hosted The Shakespeare on the River Festival, centred around the works and life of William Shakespeare. In 2021 there will be more than 20 events across two weeks. See the Community Players take on Julius Caesar, revel at The Bard’s Banquet and then on Sunday May 2 join in the fun of The Medieval Market Faire Day on the Village Green. With a grand variety of traditional arts and crafts, food and beverages, fresh produce, together with live music, workshops and displays, there is something for everyone. A short-story writing competition is part of the festival, inviting wordsmiths from all over the world to be inspired by the words of William Shakespeare.
Woodend Winter Arts Festival: TBA
For more than 15 years the Woodend Winter Arts Festival has brought together acclaimed Australian and international talent with the music, literary and arts community of the stunning Macedon Ranges over the June (Queen’s Birthday) long weekend. The result is a world-class showcase of vibrant, traditional and thought-provoking performances and events in the heart of one of Victoria’s best food and wine regions.
The program covers classical music, jazz or world music, literary events and visual arts, and a series of free community events.
Local Word, Geelong: TBA
This exciting new two-day literary event of writers workshops, panel discussions and author talks brings our diverse local writing communities together to celebrate the creative talent of this region.
Words in Winter, Daylesford: TBA
Words in Winter is an annual literary and arts festival held in August each year in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts. Words in Winter is a celebration of words, stories and ideas in all their forms shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors, and exhibitions.
As with many literary festivals in 2020, Words In Winter was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The 2019 program included children’s events, writing workshops and many guest authors including Louise Milligan, Chloe Hooper, Heather Morris, Ilka Tampke, Arnold Zable, Cate Kennedy, Claire G. Coleman, Kat Clarke, Bram Presser and Enza Gandolfo.
Write Around the Murray: TBA
For five days in September, Write Around the Murray (WAM) brings people together in Albury Wodonga for a festival of storytelling unlike anywhere else. Write around the Murray began in 2007 to celebrate the opening of the Albury LibraryMuseum.
The 2020 theme, Past Lives/Present Tense, explored voices and stories from the past, together with contemporary storytelling, to ask questions about where we are, what we know and how to live in times of crisis and transition.
The digital program saw twenty-nine authors discuss the craft of writing and their works, including Miles Franklin Nominated authors Lucy Treloar and Tony Birch.
Yarra Valley Writers Festival:
The ultimate aim of YVWF is to inspire readers and writers to take the opportunity to be awed by great minds and jump feet-first into fabulous conversations – maybe even tricky ones but definitely have some fun.
There have been two festivals by this committee but we are not aware of any plans for 2023 at this stage. We do have our fingers crossed though as the Yarra Valley Writers Festival was a standout!
2020 saw a series of digital events including The Sunday New Release Sessions that consciously supported Australian writers, thinkers and readers in an online format. The New Release Sundays were engrossing conversations about new Australian literature, the issues contained within and the act of writing.
The 2021 Yarra Valley Writers Festival was a triumph particularly as only a few days notice was given by the government that in-person events were unable to be held due to the pandemic. With incredibly professional style festival directors Brook Powell and Michael Veitch pulled together their brilliant program as a live-stream event for an expectant audience. Guests included Don Watson, Tony Birch, Louise Milligan, Brian Nakervis, Alice Pung, Victoria Hannan, Rick Morton, Kathryn Heyman, Nardi Sympson, Kate Mildenhall, Clare Strahan and more!