List of Australian Writers Festivals and Writers Conferences updated for 2026

List of Australian Writers Festivals and Writers Conferences updated for 2026

If you’re a writer or reader planning a holiday, make it one for your creative spirit by planning it around a writers festival or writers conference! Australia has so many wonderful writers festivals, each with its own character, and attending one is an uplifting blast of oxygen for the mind and heart (and body if you need to walk between venues!).

nb: If you’re looking for a list of Australian writing retreats or writing retreats run by Australians, that list is is here

Why attend a writers festival?

Whether you call them literary festivals, readers festivals or writers conferences – the best of them illuminate, motivate, inform, inspire, shift us, teach us, relax us and fire us up.  They’re for readers and writers, thinkers, dreamers and doers. It’s where we are challenged and introduced to new genres, writers and writing – as well as relax into old favourites. And if you’re an author, they’re a place to see what’s possible, support the book and publishing industry, and grow in the company of other creatives.

You might also want to check out:

 

Which is the best writers festival in Australia?

Writers festivals can be generous, gallant, glittery, jolly, solemn, silly, serious, contemplative, constructive, celebratory, academic, neighbourly, wild, weird, witty and warm. When you find the right one for you, it’s an unmatched experience. That’s why the best writers festival is one you actually go to!

Writers festivals matter. (And yes…they can be written as writers’ festivals or writers festivals so please don’t send the apostrophe police for me as there won’t be a big enough ‘postrophe posse to take on all the different festival directors and their choices.) I’ve also included in the list some writers conferences and the larger book fairs too.

Where are writers festivals in Australia in 2026?

Scroll on down for a giant list of Australian writers festivals for 2026 in NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, NT, TAS, ACT, SA and a couple from New Zealand too. There are the big city festivals right through to intimate tiny town gatherings – all of them bringing authors, readers, book lovers, the writing community and the publishing industry together.

NB:

  • Send me any updated dates you’re aware of, as well as any new festivals and I’ll make changes.
  • Many festivals are volunteer run, so details may also change throughout the year, please stay up to date on each festival’s website for the latest.

 

National Writers Festivals/Writers Conferences & The Global Book Crawl

National writers conferences and festivals are held in different locations each year and include: :

 

Writers Festivals in NSW, 2026

Writers Festivals in VIC, 2026

Writers Festivals in QLD, 2026

Writers Festivals in SA, 2026

Writers’ Festivals in ACT, 2026

Writers Festivals in NT, 2026

Writers Festivals in WA, 2026

Writers’ Festivals in TAS, 2026

Writing and Publishing Industry Conferences, Australia 2026

  • IPED (Institute of Professional Editors) Conference, TBA 2026

 

New Zealand Writers Festivals 2026

 

What if you have commitments or restrictions which mean you can’t attend a writers festival in person?

You’re not alone! Whether due to being a carer or other reasons such as budget, a career, living with a disability, family or just bad timing, it can seem almost insurmountable to get to a writers festival. Here are some alternatives:

  • Some festivals offer online passes, or your library or local council might screen them (e.g. Sydney Writers Festival sessions are often available this way in regional areas).
  • Maybe it’s something you can work towards for next year.
  • Perhaps your local library has author visits – that’s like a mini writers festival!
  • You can also collaborate with a local business such as a cafe to run a monthly or seasonal storytellers night.
  • You can also think about taking a holiday AROUND a writers festival – planning a visit to an area around the dates of a readers and writers festival and enjoy the best of both worlds. Attending the festival may even be tax deductible if you treat your writing like a business rather than a hobby.
  • Start one in your area so it’s in your backyard!
  • If cost is a factor, can you volunteer at a festival? Or if you’re a carer, is there some respite care available you can take advantage of during a festival week?
  • Ask people to give a ticket to you as a gift for your birthday.

Here’s hoping you get to a festival this year!

Bestest from me, Anna