Are you an avid reader? Why not plan your next holiday around one of the writers’ festivals that take place across the country?
It seems Australians and literary festivals go hand in hand, if the number of literary events happening throughout the year are anything to go by.
Why not align your visit to a city or regional locale then, with a festival? Yes, a literary Australian holiday combining traditional sightseeing with inspiring author talks and signings.
Before highlighting a few events in the first quarter of the new year, those wanting a literary November or December break are in luck – a couple of events remain on the 2024 calendar.
Short story fans
The Australian Short Story Festival takes place 22-24 November this year in Fremantle, Western Australia, at the University of Notre Dame Australia campus.
Local, national and international short story writers will be featured, and the event includes panels, live readings and workshops. Find out more about the event here.
Guests include Catherine McNamara, Eugen Bacon and John Kinsella.
A festival on the sea
A sea-faring adventure, the Australian Literarature Festival at Sea 2024, takes place on the Queen Elizabeth from 11-16 December.
Leaving Sydney for a port call in Hobart before returning to Sydney, with more than half a dozen well-known authors on board, this is a reader’s paradise.
Five days of author talks, interactive discussions and workshops for the writer within. A perfect trip for literature lovers, while enjoying the cruise lifestyle.
Guests include Alexander McCall Smith, Fiona McIntosh and Dr Anita Heiss.
Literary festivals Australia 2025
These are just a taster of the literary events happening around the country in the first few months of the year.
If you’re interested, but don’t find dates or locations that align, it’s worth an online search. A lot is happening in the literary scene, both in the first quarter, and beyond.
Blussh Romance Festival
The Blushh Romance Festival in Queensland is scheduled for 14-15 February, celebrating romance in books and films. The program will be released soon.
An last year’s event, there were more than half a dozen writers in attendance. To keep up with the unfolding plans, you can visit the Blussh website, which offers the option of subscribing.
GenreCon
If your tastes run to genre writing, GenreCon takes place 28 February to 2 March, and is an initiative of the Queensland Writers Centre.
Guests include Australian and international authors, across a weekend of seminars and panels. New-Zealand-based author Steff Green headlines the 2025 program.
For more details visit the GenreCon site.
Adelaide Festival
Writers’ Week at the Adelaide Festival is a well-known gem for Aussie readers and writers, offering six packed days of events, with dozens of authors in attendance.
It’s a great time to plan a South Australian holiday, and you can find more details here.
The program releases early 2025, but the website lists almost 100 authors who will be joining the festival, so you’re sure to recognise quite a few names.
Clunes Booktown Festival
Taking place in the township of Clunes in Victoria 22-23 March, Clunes Booktown Festival combines author and artist talks with stalls and entertainment.
Local accommodation sells out sooner rather than later, so you may need to plan ahead. Check out the festival details, and keep an eye on social media for unfolding news.
Manly Writers’ Festival
The Manly Writers’ Festival will be returning in 2025, running 28-30 March.
A chance to enjoy talks by writers addressing a wide array of topics, from politics to crime, and of course, fiction.
Visit the website to keep up to date with unfolding plans for the festival.
The long-distance experience
If you’d love to check out a festival from your home, a number are keeping up with the times. Some offer Zoom links while others upload video recordings of certain events.
Check out the details online, or visit the website and contact the festival in question to see if any portions are accessible from afar.
Have you been to a literary festival? Did you enjoy it? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Ebooks and audio books, the pros and cons
