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News & Editorial


Festival 2020 Partners

August 31, 2020

Byron Writers Festival

Byron Writers Festival 2020

Partners

With gratitude to all of our partners and supporters. Byron Writers Festival would not be possible without your passion and generosity.

FUNDING PARTNERS


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SUPPORTING PARTNERS


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WITH THANKS TO


Carolyn Adams
Carolyn Anderson
Susan Ash
Wendi Avery
J. Vivianne Band
Barbara Barrett
Elizabeth Beadman
Jocelyn Benner
Susan Biber
Chris Black
Cheryl Bourne
Lynn Buchanan
Abdullah Calisir
Mad Carter
Tony Cartwright
Joan Cashion
Peter Castaldi
Elizabeth Coleman
Lenore Cooper
Anne Coutts
Suzanne Craig
Margie Crowley

Sophie Cunningham
Este Darin-Cooper
Wim De Vylder
Lynda and Christopher Dean
Linda DeBolt
Duncan Dodd
Kate Driscoll
Judy Ebner
Nick Edmond
Cheryl Evans
Rod Gapp
Stephen Grant
Mike Greenslade
Chris Hanley & Dawn Standfield
Harvest Newrybar
Ashley Hay
Tim Hays
Denise Hellier
Sarah Hender
John and Melissa Hertzberg
Peter Hollis
Aarna Hudson

Helene Hurford
Sue James
Edwina Johnson
Beverley Joseph
Anneli Knight
Stroma Lawson
Marie Lawton
Wendy Lehman
Bob & Patti Lowry
Denise Marshall
Barbara Martin
Faye Martin
Mike McCausland
Debbie McInnes
Nancy Mules
Debra Mullins
Janet O’Brien
Gary Ovington
Bek Park
Dianne Partridge
Jodi Plumbley
Gloria Radburn

Theresa Rawstorne
Belinda Roberts
Anna Rolfes
Chris Rossiter
Sally Schofield
Julianne Schultz
Stephanie Stone
Kristy Theissling
Maureen Todhunter
Margaret Treed
Uplift
Adam van Kempen
Tasma Walton
Debbie Whitmont
Uta Wight
Josephine Wolanski
Jennifer Wright

Plus all the publishers who assisted in creating the Byron Writers Festival 2020 Digital program

nrwadmin


Accessibility

May 27, 2019

Byron Writers Festival

6 – 8 August 2021
2021 Festival

6 – 8 August


BUY TICKETS

Welcome

Accessibility at the Festival


We are continually aiming to improve access to Byron Writers Festival and enhance the experience of patrons of all abilities. Please contact us on [email protected] if you require any further information or advice in regards to the below.

Auslan Interpretation Auslan interpreted symbol

Selected sessions from the main program are interpreted each day of the Festival. Floating Auslan interpreters will also be available at the Festival site on an as-needs basis. If you require an Auslan interpreter, look out for the Auslan symbol in the printed program, or go to the Information Tent at the Festival site to book an on-demand interpreter for a session of your choosing.

Thanks to Multicultural NSW for funding this initiative.

Explore the full program and see which sessions have been preselected for Auslan interpretation on:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Click the button below to watch our Auslan interpreted video guide to the 2019 Byron Writers Festival, produced in conjunction with Social Futures.


WATCH OUR VIDEO GUIDE

Wheelchair Accessibility at the Festival

The Festival site is located at Elements of Byron Resort, approximately 5km from Byron town centre. The terrain is flat and grassy, but can become more difficult to navigate in a wheelchair after periods of rain. We advise to use a wheelchair with large wheels if possible.

Seating

Festival marquees and stages have wheelchair accessible allocated seating. Please make yourself known to the marquee supervisor and you will be ushered to an accessible seat.

Festival Satellite Events take place in various venues across the Northern Rivers. If you require a wheelchair accessible seat at any of our Satellite Events, please call the office on (02) 6685 5115 or email Emily Brugman at [email protected] to make the necessary arrangements.

Parking

An accessible parking and drop-off/pick-up zone is located close to the Festival entrance. Our parking volunteers will direct you accordingly. Please have your sticker on display.

Accessible parking at Satellite Events is dependent on council parking regulations in and around the selected venue. Please call the venue directly to discuss your options.

Companion Cards

Byron Writers Festival is a participant of the National Companion Card scheme, offering disabled patrons holding a current companion card a second ticket for their accompanying companion at no charge.

When you arrive, please make your way to the Festival Box Office and present your National Companion Card, along with your Festival ticket, to our friendly staff. You will be allocated a corresponding complimentary pass for your companion. There is a limit of one companion pass per person per day. For further information please visit www.companioncard.gov.au/


Information on ticket releases, announcements and pricing

12 June: Full Program announced and all tickets on sale|
Full program announcement
All tickets available, including 3-Day passes, 1-Day passes, Sunday Locals’ passes, Kids Big Day Out and separately ticketed Workshops and Satellite Events*.

3-Day Pass: $255 Members / $299 General
1-Day Pass: $110 Members / $135 General
Sunday Locals’ Pass*: $80, limited release, conditions apply. Supported by Stone & Wood
Sunday Kids Big Day Out Pass**, $40 (1 adult + 1 child. $20 for each additional child)
Sunday Family Pass**: $120 (2 adults + 1 child. $20 for each additional child)

Satellite Event ticket prices range from free to $35
Workshop ticket prices range from $35 to $120, with member discounts available.

—

29 July 29 – 4 August
Workshops and Satellite Events running throughout the week

—

2 – 4 August
Festival Weekend!

—

Notes and conditions

  • All tickets are available to purchase online, over the phone via (02) 6685 5115 or in person at our offices in Byron Bay.
  • All tickets are subject to booking fees. Find out more about ticket types on Our Tickets and Pricing Explained page.
  • *Sunday Local’s Passes are available to residents of the Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed council areas. These tickets are limited in number and available for purchase from the festival office or online (maximum two tickets per person); purchasers will need to present proof of address at the Festival gate. Supported by Stone & Wood.
  • ** Children must be supervised by at least ONE adult at all times.
  • For full terms and conditions, click here.

Member benefits for the 2019 Festival

Not a member of Byron Writers Festival, or yet to renew your 2019 membership? Join today and save up to $74 on full price 3-Day passes. Other Festival member benefits include a special preview of the Full Program online and priority booking periods for Festival Satellite Events. Read the full list of annual Member benefits and click here to sign up now!

Never miss a beat

Sign up to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram as we continue to post Festival updates throughout the coming months.

Get a taste of the Festival

Never been and heard great things? Watch our show reel from last year’s Festival and relive the highlights with our 2018 photo gallery and podcast series.

Make a Donation

Did you know that Byron Writers Festival received relatively little public funding – under 20% of our total revenue – with a majority coming from people like you. To ensure we can continue to support and celebrate writers, readers and storytellers please make a donation today. As a not-for-profit organisation run with a small team of staff and volunteers, contributions of any size go a long way in enriching the creative culture of our community. Amounts over $2 are tax deductible. To find out more, click here.

Connect

#byronwf2019



E-newsletter Sign-Up

ACCESSIBILITY

Auslan intrepretation available

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Get in touch if you require an interpreter:
[email protected]


Festival Information

Key information for getting to and from Byron and the event site, accommodation, tickets and FAQ’s.
Travel

To the Festival

How to get to and from the festival site by shuttle bus, train or car. Information on flights, trains and buses to and from Byron Bay.
Read More

Stay

Accommodation

Find out more about Elements, our on-site accommodation partner, as well as links to other accommodation providers in the area.
Read more

Festival

Site Map

The 2018 Festival site map will be made available soon.
View Map

Festival

FAQ

Get the answers to our most frequently asked questions here.
Read more

Festival

Volunteers

2018 Festival Volunteer applications are now closed. For questions related to your application, please refer to our Volunteer page FAQs.
Read more

Festival

Accessibility

We are continually aiming to improve access to Byron Writers Festival and enhance the experience of patrons of all abilities. Read on for details about Festival accessibility.
Read more

Festival 2018

Relive the memories with our 2018 Photo Gallery


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All ears for Trent Dalton, Elise Valmorbida and Matt Haig in ‘How Fiction Can Foster Empathy’

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Tim Rogers and Tristan Bancks on ‘How to Get Boys Reading’

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Selina Tusitala Marsh and Ben Hobson

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All eyes and ears for Tracey Moffatt’s stunning visual presentation

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The crowd erupts following Lemn Sissay’s reading from ‘Gold From the Stone’

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Lemn Sissay gives his powerful reading

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‘What if Women Ruled the World’ with Jacqui Lambie, Bri Lee and Anne Aly

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Whale researcher Micheline Jenner

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Tanya Plibersek was grace personified

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Charles Massy

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Our next generation leans in

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Sarah Wilson

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Gillian Triggs delivers the Thea Astley address ‘Speaking Up in a Post Truth World’

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Kerry O’Brien, Jenny Hocking and our AUSLAN interpreter relay the secrets behind ‘The Dismissal’

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Kon Karapanagiotidis holds the Power of Hope in the palm of his hand

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Manal al-Sharif listens to her co-panellists stories

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Hyeonseo Lee

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Kitty Flanagan sets us off in stitches in Friday morning’s Comedy panel with Mandy Nolan and Andrew Hansen

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Trent Dalton

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2019 FUNDING PARTNERS


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2019 MAJOR PARTNERS


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anika


Ticket Types Explained

May 15, 2018

Byron Writers Festival

7-9 August 2020
2020 Festival Dates

7 – 9 August


Byron Writers Festival

Festival ticket types and pricing explained


Byron Writers Festival is a non-profit organisation, and most of our revenue is self-generated – with a majority coming from Festival ticket sales. So each year we think carefully about how to make the Festival accessible to our audience, while also covering our costs.

We know that not everybody can afford (or wants) a 3-day pass. That’s why we have created a number of different ticket types – including our Sunday Locals’ and Sunday Family passes – so people from all walks of life can enjoy the stories, discussion and debate that make up the Festival program.

What type of ticket should I buy?

Byron Writers Festival is set up a bit like a music festival, with six stages that you can move between as you please, featuring panel discussions and conversations. If you buy a 3-Day pass or a 1-Day pass you will get access to all sessions happening in the main Festival program for your chosen days (for 3-Day pass holders that’s around 115+ sessions to choose from!).

Satellite Events are individually ticketed events during Festival week in venues across the region (a few of them are free). Access to Satellite Events is not included in 3-Day and 1-Day passes.

Ticket types and prices are explained here:

Extra Early Bird Tickets (1 – 7 April 2020)

Purchase your 3-day Pass at the lowest possible price. Extra Early Bird tickets give access to Festival sessions in the main program, excluding workshops and separately ticketed events. Please note no guests will be announced when Extra Early Bird tickets go on sale.

3-Day Extra Early Bird Pass: $225 Members / $265 General

Early Bird Tickets (20 – 26 May, 2020)

Our second release of discounted 3-day Passes, with first guests announced. Early Bird tickets give access to Festival sessions in the main program, excluding workshops and separately ticketed events.

3-Day Early Bird Pass: $235 Members / $275 General

General Release Tickets (from 24 June, 2020)

If you would rather wait until the full program is announced before you commit, you can choose from our full suite of general release tickets. These tickets give access to Festival sessions in the main program, excluding workshops and separately ticketed events.

3-Day Pass: $255 Members / $299 General
1-Day Pass: $110 Members / $135 General

Sunday Locals’ pass, discounted price (from 20 – 26 May)

Looking after our locals in 2019! Discounted tickets for Sunday – save $55 per ticket – available to residents of the Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed council areas. Tickets are available for purchase online, over the phone or from the festival office. Purchasers will need to present proof of address (maximum two tickets per person) upon ticket collection at the Festival Box Office. Limited release, available until sold out.  Supported by Stone & Wood

Sunday Pass: $80 General

Workshop and Satellite Event tickets

A program of separately ticketed workshops and Satellite events – some of them free –  runs in the lead-up to the main Festival weekend and on weekend evenings. Ticket prices vary and details will be released when the full program is announced in June.

All tickets are subject to booking fees.


Connect

#byronwf2020



E-newsletter Sign Up

Festival

Information

Key information for getting to and from Byron and the event site, accommodation, tickets and FAQ’s.
Travel

To the Festival

How to get to and from the festival site by shuttle bus, train or car. Information on flights, trains and buses to and from Byron Bay.

Read More

Stay

Accommodation

Find out more about Elements, our on-site accommodation partner, as well as links to other accommodation providers in the area.

Read more

Festival

Site Map

The 2018 Festival site map will be made available soon.

Festival

FAQ

Get the answers to our most frequently asked questions here.

Read more

Festival

Volunteers

2018 Festival Volunteer applications are now closed. For questions related to your application, please refer to our Volunteer page FAQs.

Read more

anika


Primary School Days

April 27, 2018

Byron Writers Festival School Days

30 July – 1 August 2019
KEY DATES

Tues 30 Jul, Wed 31 July, Thurs 1 Aug


BOOK NOW

PROGRAM PDF

Byron Writers Festival 2019

Primary School Days

Connecting students with Australia’s best loved authors.

About the day

Byron Writers Festival invites your school to participate in our annual Primary School Days Program. Inspiring, fun-filled and creative sessions with some of Australia’s best loved authors.

When & Where: Select the session your school would like to attend:

  • Tuesday 30 July – Lismore City Hall (Norpa) or Murwillumbah Civic Centre
  • Wednesday 31 July – Byron Bay (High School Auditorium) morning or afternoon session
  • Thursday 1 August – Grafton (Saraton Theatre)

Cost: $10 per student / session

Sessions are 2 hours long and run in the morning and afternoon. Refer to the program below or download a Program PDF. 

How to make a booking for your school

  1. Click ‘Book Now’ to reserve the number of tickets required for your school. We urge you to determine your school’s numbers as soon as possible, as PLACES ALWAYS FILL UP FAST.
  2. You may pay the booking fee immediately, or you may opt to receive an invoice.
  3. After booking, we will send you a booking confirmation including your invoice if applicable, book order forms and a checklist to help you prepare for the day. (Payment can be made via credit card at the time of booking, or by credit card, EFT or cheque, to secure your students’ places).

BOOK NOW

Primary School Days

2019 Program


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Primary School Days

Presenter Biographies

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BOOK NOW

Connect

Follow us



anika


Writers on the Road

June 14, 2017

What’s On

DATES & LOCATIONS

Mon 30 Nov – Fri 4 Dec

Ballina
Kingscliff
Harwood
Bellingen

REGIONAL TOUR

Writers on the Road 2020


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Writers on the Road, the free Byron Writers Festival touring program, is exploring the new normal this year with a crew of literary mavericks. Acclaimed authors and artists on-board include Bigambul illustrator Dub Leffler, writer and recovering teacher Gabbie Stroud, author and filmmaker Benjamin Gilmour and Yuwaalaraay author and musician Nardi Simpson.

The series of free events will take place in the evenings from Monday 30 November to Friday 4 December in Ballina, Kingscliff, Harwood and Bellingen, as well as school events in Bonalbo.

All events are free and open to the public. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, bookings are essential.

Date and Venue details

Ballina, Monday 30 November

Venue: Northern Rivers Community Gallery
Address: 44 Cherry Street, Ballina
Phone: (02) 6681 0530
Time: 5.30pm

Capacity restrictions apply. Bookings essential. To book, contact the gallery via their website. Due to Covid restrictions this is an outdoor event held in the café area of the gallery. In the event of rain, the session will be held at Ballina Surf Club, Lighthouse Parade, East Ballina.

Kingscliff, Wednesday 2 December

Venue: Kingscliff Community Centre Hall
Address: 81 Marine Parade, Kingscliff
Time: 5.30pm

Capacity restrictions apply. Bookings essential.
BOOK NOW

Harwood, Thursday 3 December

Venue: Harwood Hotel
Address: 2 Morpeth Street, Harwood
Phone: (02) 6646 4223
Time: 6pm

Capacity restrictions apply. Bookings essential. To book, contact the hotel via their website: harwoodhotel.com.au . You may also wish to book for dinner during or after the event.

Bellingen, Friday 4 December

Venue: Bellingen Library
Address: Hyde Street, Bellingen
Time: 5.30pm

Capacity restrictions apply. Bookings essential. To book, email the library on [email protected]


Bios

Meet the authors and illustrators


  • Dubb Leffler
Dubb Leffler

Descended from the Bigambul people of South-West Queensland, Dub Leffler is one of Australia’s most sought after illustrators of children’s literature. He has written two books for children and is currently illustrating his 23rd title. Dub’s work has afforded him travel to places as diverse as remote Australia, Europe, Indonesia and America and his illustrations are now in permanent collection in The National Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

In 2019, Dub won The Eve Pownall Award for Book of the Year from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, for Sorry Day. 2020 will see the release of two books Dub has illustrated – Rocky & Louie, written by Raewyn Caisley and Phil Walley-Stack, and Strangers On Country, written by Kirsty Murray and Dave Hartley. Dub is currently illustrating Our Dreaming written by Kirli Saunders.

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  • Gabbie Stroud
Gabbie Stroud

Gabbie Stroud is a writer and recovering teacher. After years of juggling the demands of the primary classroom, she became disenchanted and disillusioned, eventually making the painful decision to leave the profession she had loved. In 2016, her critical commentary of Australia’s education system was published in Griffith Review’s Edition 51 Fixing the System, which went on to be shortlisted for a Walkley Award. Gabbie’s first novel, a Young Adult fiction—Measuring Up—was published by Scribe in 2009.

Gabbie’s smash-hit memoir Teacher was shortlisted for Biography Book of the Year at the 2018 ABIA Awards and has contributed to the national dialogue on education. Her latest book, Dear Parents, is a passionate call to arms for all parents. Gabbie lives on the far south coast of New South Wales, where she co-parents her totally awesome girls—Olivia and Sophie.

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  • Nardi Simpson
Nardi Simpson

Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay writer, musician, composer and educator from North West NSW freshwater plains. A founding member of Indigenous folk duo Stiff Gins, Nardi has been performing nationally and internationally for 20 years. Her debut novel, Song of the Crocodile was a 2018 winner of a black&write! writing fellowship.

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  • Benjamin Gilmour
Benjamin Gilmour

Benjamin Gilmour has worked as a qualified paramedic for more than 20 years. He is also an author and the writer / director of three feature films. His film Jirga was Australia’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar this year and won the Best Independent Film at the AACTA Awards and a NSW Premier’s Award for Best Screenplay. The Gap is Benjamin’s fifth book. He is based in Bangalow where he lives with his wife Kaspia and three children.

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SUPPORTED BY


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nrwadmin


Festival

June 9, 2017

Byron Writers Festival

6 — 8 August 2021
2021 Festival Dates

6 – 8 August


E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE
Welcome

Let’s gather together again!


After reluctantly taking a break in 2020, Byron Writers Festival will return as a live event on 6-8 August 2021, at Elements of Byron in Byron Bay. The full program will be announced and all tickets go on-sale on 23 June 2021.

Of course, it won’t quite be business-as-usual: the safety and well-being of our guests and artists is a priority and to ensure a Covid-safe event we will be following all NSW Health advice. This includes guidelines around social distancing and capacity regulations, and to help us manage this the Festival Board has decided we will only be selling 1-Day Passes this year (no 3-Day Passes). This means no Early Bird release, but as usual Byron Writers Festival members will receive a discount on full-priced tickets. We appreciate your patience while we do everything we can to keep you safe.

We encourage you to sign up to our e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter  for important Festival updates and announcements.

We can’t wait to gather together as community again to celebrate Australian stories and writers. We hope you will join us.

2021 Key Dates

19 May: First guests announced, Sunday Locals tickets on sale
23 June: Full program announced, all tickets on sale
6-8 August: Festival Weekend


Get a taste of the Festival

Never been and heard great things? Watch our show reel from previous Festivals and relive the highlights with our 2019 photo gallery and podcast series.


DONATE

Support the 2021 Festival


As a not-for-profit organisation, our ticketing income is essential to the success of future Festivals. If you were planning to come to Byron Writers Festival this year, we invite you to consider making a donation instead.

Your gift will help us create a stand-out Festival in 2021, as well as supporting Australian writers, and the arts in regional Australia. 

Donations can be made at:
givenow.com.au/byronwritersfestival

or alternatively you can contact us directly if you would like to talk to one of our team:
[email protected]
02 6685 5115

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The Festival Team all look forward to seeing you this year and thank you for your ongoing support.


DONATE NOW

Connect

#byronwf2020



Festival 2019

Relive the memories with our 2019 Photo Gallery

The sun shone under a bluebird sky after a rainbow-dappled Friday to the delight of weekend Festival-goers. An unforgettable weekend for our guests and patrons alike.

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And we’re off!

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Babara Toner finds her funny bone with Toni Jordan and Mandy Nolan

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Lessons in scarf-wearing: Head, neck and shoulders.

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Nevo Zisin on growing up queer in Australia

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#MeToo: Where To? with Amal Awad, Ginger Gorman, David Leser and Tracey Spicer

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Tara June Winch lays down the law when it comes to creativity and motherhood

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The PM Years with Kevin Rudd

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John Marsden on The Art of Growing Up

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No pots of gold unfortunately, but plenty of golden nuggets at the end of these rainbows!

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Vicki Laveau-Harvie on Memoir: Running in the Family

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Dr Julia Shaw delves into our darker thoughts on Exploring Evil with Gianrico Carofiglio

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Markus Zusak on crossing his Bridge of Clay

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Zusak fans

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Storm Clouds stayed at bay for most of the day

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Natasha Stott Despoja, Scott Ludlam and Dennis Atkins tackle the question: What’s Happened to our Politics

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Lisa-ann Gershwin on the joys of jellyfish

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Crusaders Against Corruption

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Roman Quaedvlieg on Crusaders Against Corruption

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Kate McClymont on Crusaders Against Corruption

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Ash Grunwald shares some acoustic tunes in his session

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Bruce Pascoe, Bronwyn Bancroft and Karla Dickens share a joke with chair Adam Shoemaker in The Stories Embedded in Landscape

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Bruce Pascoe enjoys a good ribbing

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Streaming in on Saturday under our Festival flags

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Delta Kay takes flight for Welcome to Country

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Mob reunions with Melissa Lucashenko, Uncle Jack Charles and Delta Kay

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Getting their kicks

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Well… THAT was funny

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Tim Flannery

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Sarah Hanson Young shares a laugh on ‘The Mental Load: A Woman’s Lot

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Gabbie Stroud’s heartfelt experiences resonate with many

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Sharing the load in The Mental Load

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Natasha Stott Despoja on Domestic Violence: A National Emergency

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Full house for Resilience, Strength and Adversity with Leigh Sales, Chloe Hooper and Tim Costello

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Soaking it up

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Leigh Sales

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Uncle Jack Charles had us laughing and crying in his memorable conversation

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The Sculpture Appreciation Society strike a pose

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Grazing

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Dr Julia Shaw strikes a pose

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The Debrief

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Bruce Pascoe’s conversation with Kerry O’Brien drew capacity crowds under a sunny winter’s sky

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A standing ovation for Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu conversation with Kerry O’Brien

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Adam Spence and Eddie Woo get their geek on in Amazing Mathematics

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An overflowing room sits riveted to Behrouz Boochani, live streamed from Manus Island

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Min Jin Lee, Benjamin Law, Jennifer Clement and Markus Zusak on the Family as Saga

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Jennifer Clement reflects on Family Saga

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Question time with Alison Lester at Kids Big Day Out

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Hands up for Morris Gleitzman at Kids Big Day Out

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Our 2019 Story Sleuths with Tristan Bancks

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The StoryBoard Story Space in action at Kids Big Day Out

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Alison Lester’s mural gets some finishing touches

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A.C. Grayling inspires the next generation of philosophers

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A.C. Grayling delivers the annual Thea Astley Address on Democracy and its Crisis

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Enthralled

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Sitting back for Democracy and its Crisis

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Hung Le relives one of many awkward moments…v

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And the audience laps it up!

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Taking time out to reflect

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Dmon Gameau on his hopes for 2040 with Nathan Scolaro

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Ending the weekend on a high note with Shire Choir

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Shire Choir’s Malea Naughton

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Coming together as community to celebrate and rejoice!

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A HUGE thank you to all of our WONDERFUL volunteers!! Your smiles and generosity are what make this Festival truly special!A HUGE thank you to all of our WONDERFUL volunteers!! Your smiles and generosity are what make this Festival truly special!

anika


Satellite Events

May 31, 2017

Byron Writers Festival

2—4 August 2019

Satellite Events

A literary sideshow of individually ticketed events outside of the main Festival Program. Featuring a curated selection of guests, our Satellite Events will have you laughing, crying, chin-stroking and truly inspired.
VIEW FESTIVAL PROGRAM

WRITERS

FRI 2 AUG

Book Launch

WOMEN, MEN AND THE WHOLE DAMN THING
BY DAVID LESER

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David Leser interrogates his own privilege and role in the patriarchy as he explores misogyny and how history brought us to the #MeToo movement. To be launched by Vanessa Gorman.

When: Friday 2 August, 6.30pm—7.30pm
Venue:
The Book Room, Byron Bay
Cost:
Free, no bookings


FRI 2 AUG

Tim Costello

IN CONVERSATION WITH ANGELA LEDGERWOOD

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BUY TICKETS


Tim Costello’s evocative memoir, A Lot with a Little, explores the people and experiences that have shaped him into a socially active fighter for the world’s most challenging issues. This is a book about faith and its power to sustain in the face of the world’s big issues.

When: Friday 2 August, 7pm—8pm
Venue:
The Byron at Byron
Cost:
$25

EVENT PARTNER   The Byron at Byron


BUY TICKETS

FRI 2 AUG

Hung Le

IN CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD FIDLER

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Hung Le

BUY TICKETS


Hung Le is a Vietnamese refugee who has no math, medical or musical abilities. To compensate, he has carved out an international career in comedy and playing the violin out of tune. He’s currently the world’s first, best and tallest Vietnamese comic and author who has never found his land legs.

When: Friday 2 August, 7pm—8pm
Venue:
Byron Theatre
Cost:
$25


BUY TICKETS

FRI 2 AUG

Writers at Risk

PROTECTING PRESS FREEDOM

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Behrouz Boochani

BUY TICKETS


Join celebrated Australian foreign correspondent Peter Greste and stellar guests – incarcerated prize-winning writer Behrouz Boochani (live-streamed from Manus Island), his collaborator and translator Omid Tofighian with PEN International Chair and American-Mexican author Jennifer Clement in a pivotal discussion of the challenges to and seminal importance of press freedom.

When: Friday 2 August, 7—8.15pm
Venue:
Banksia Pavilion, Elements of Byron Resort
Cost:
$25 with a portion of proceeds donated to charity


BUY TICKETS

FRI 2 AUG – SUN 4 AUG

Extinction

BY HANNIE RAYSON

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BUY TICKETS


An edgy, provocative, funny play that challenges our feelings with cleverly crafted, insightful dialogue. It explores efforts to sustain our fragile world, our flawed relationships, and corruption of our institutions. Extinction is a must see!

When: Friday 2 & Saturday 3 August, 7.30pm. Sunday 4 August, 5.30pm
Venue:
Drill Hall Mullumbimby
Cost:
$30/22 (Friday, Saturday) or $40/32 (Sunday, inc. Q&A with Hannie and refreshments)

EVENT PARTNER   Drill Hall Theatre


BUY TICKETS

FRI 2 AUG

Solid Air

SPOKEN WORD SHOWCASE

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Tishani Doshi

BUY TICKETS


From page to the stage, let the words take flight! Come experience a literary & loud line-up of some of Australia’s most vibrant performance and slam poets, who are all featured within the groundbreaking new spoken word anthology Solid Air.  Featuring Pascalle Burton, Tug Dumbly, David Hallett, Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, Anisa Nandaula, Omar Sakr, David Stavanger, Anne-Marie Te Whiu, plus special feature sets by Tishani Doshi and champion beatboxer Hope One.

When: Friday 2 August, 8.30pm—9.30pm
Venue:
Byron Theatre
Cost:
$15


BUY TICKETS

SAT 3 AUG

John West Youth Poetry Prize

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A performance poetry competition for young people aged 10 to 18yrs. Entrants present a 2-minute spoken word poem on any theme. First prize $500.

When: Saturday 3 August, 3.30pm—4.30pm
Venue:
Byron Bay Library
Cost:
Entry is free
More info: [email protected]


SAT 3 AUG

Australian Poetry Slam

BYRON HEAT

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BOOK NOW


Featuring 2018 Australian Poetry Slam champion Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, with MC Miles Merril.

When: Saturday 3 August, 5.30pm—7.30pm
Venue:
Byron Bay Library
Cost:
Free, bookings essential
More info: australianpoetryslam.com

EVENT PARTNER   Word Travels


BOOK NOW

SAT 3 AUG

Object Lessons

WITH AILSA PIPER

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Retreat mentor Ailsa Piper

BOOK NOW


Ailsa Piper returns to Lismore Regional Gallery with a performance inspired by the current exhibition, Object Therapy. Using both found and crafted words, Ailsa will re-flect, re-mind and re-work the way you think about the place of things in your life.

When: Saturday 3 August, 6.30pm—7.30pm
Venue:
Lismore Regional Gallery
Cost:
Free, bookings essential

EVENT PARTNER   Lismore Regional Gallery


BOOK NOW

SAT 3 AUG

Stephen Pyne

IN CONVERSATION WITH RICHARD FIDLER

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Stephen Pyne

BUY TICKETS


Fire has preoccupied American Professor Stephen Pyne for decades. He has published 35 books, mostly on fire (including Australia) but others on topics like Antarctica and the Grand Canyon. He brings to fire a deep comparative perspective and sense of history. He lives on a small urban farm in Arizona.

When: Saturday 3 August, 6.30pm—7.30pm
Venue:
Byron Theatre
Cost:
$25


BUY TICKETS

SAT 3 AUG

Story Club

WORKING FOR THE MAN

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Benjamin Law

BUY TICKETS


Story Club is a live, themed storytelling night featuring true, hilarious stories by some of Australia’s finest raconteurs. This edition, Working for the Man, features Benjamin Law, Scott Ludlam, Kate McClymont, Sisonke Msimang and Story Club co-creators Zoë Norton Lodge and Ben Jenkins.

When: Saturday 3 August, 8pm—9.15pm
Venue:
Byron Theatre
Cost:
$25


BUY TICKETS

SUN 4 AUG

The Electric Hotel

AUTHOR TALK WITH DOMINIC SMITH

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Dominic Smith

BOOK NOW


Dominic Smith, the acclaimed author of The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, takes us back in time to the birth of cinema during a discussion of his research and experience writing his latest book The Electric Hotel.

When: Sunday 4 August, 11am—12pm
Venue:
Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
Cost:
Free, bookings essential

EVENT PARTNER  Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre


BOOK NOW

SUN 4 AUG

Writers at the Rails


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The 27th anniversary of Writers at the Rails featuring Melanie Mununggurr-Williams, Tug Dumbly and David Hallett.

When: Sunday 4 August, 2.30pm—4.30pm
Venue:
The Rails Hotel, Byron Bay
Cost:
Free, no bookings


anika


Susie Warrick Young Writers Award

May 12, 2016

Writing Competition

Competition

Susie Warrick Young Writers Award


Prizes are generously sponsored by the Warrick Family, Hilarie Dunn and the Byron Writers Festival Jesse Blackadder Memorial Fund.

Susie Warrick was a much-loved staff member at the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre (now Byron Writers Festival).

The Susie Warrick Young Writers Award was established to honour her memory, celebrate the art of the short story, and to support emerging young writers in furthering their career.

In 2020 we added a new Primary Category open to Stage 3 Primary students in memory of Jesse Blackadder, founder of the Byron Writers Festival’s StoryBoard Program.

And the winners are…

Thank you to all the young writers who entered the 2020 Susie Warrick Young Writers Award. We received 220 submissions across all categories, and the judges faced some tough decisions choosing winners from such an impressive field of entries. Our congratulations go to the winners and runners-up from each category, whose stories will be published on our website in the coming months.

Category 1 (Years 5 & 6)
Winner: Bird Whisperer by Erica Little
Equal 1st Runners up: Reflection by Cordelia Perritt, Protectors of the Outback by Josephine Payne
Highly commended: Breakout by Sienna Russo

Category 2 (Years 7 & 8)
Winner: The Jump by Maya Rogers
1st Runner up: That’s how I found myself by Alessandra Wenban
Equal 2nd Runners up: 700,000 Keys by Misha Fligelman, Flowers are No Comfort by Maeve Heart

Category 3 (Years 10 – 12)
Winner: Tea, Shivering, and Domes of Glass by Blaine Hall
1st Runner up:  Madonna by Eden Annesley
2nd Runner up: Headlights at the End of the Tunnel by Niamh Montgomery
Highly commended: A Beginning by Alaeila Farands

Longlist

Category 1

Wishing For More Time by Maya Cunat
Travel to the Past by Eana Tokunaga
0 BPM by Hailey Pickett
A Dingo’s Pack by Isabelle Reed
The Sacrifices They Made by Scarlett Southwell
The Story of Maria Nowak by Chloe Jackson
Xavier And His Broken Heart by Phoebe McDonald
Staircase to the Sky by Banjo Keane
Beyond the Trees by Sarah Leslie
The Toad by Lewis Fairfull
Devil In Disguise by Laicey Roese
The Magic Trees and the Shadow Monster by Dee Eh Htoo

Category 2

Trapped by Ava Knapp
Where Sky Meets Sea by Eva Salisbury
IT by Jean Wilson
Wish Upon A Star by Amira Askew
The Gathering Tree by Naiyah Sprungman

Category 3

Drowning in Divinity by Grace Chance
Lost in the Stars by Caitlin Richardson
Portrait of a Young Woman by Jesse Henderson
Fall of an Empress by Taylor Slattery
Thicker than Water by Breanna Yabsley

Prizes include

  • A cash prize – (Category 1 – $300) (Category 2&3 – $500).
  • A StoryBoard Author workshop for their class in 2021 or for Senior Students completing High School in 2020 a 1:1 mentoring session with a Professional Author.
  • Byron Writers Festival Annual Organizational Membership for 2021 for your school or Double Membership for Senior Students completing school 2020.
  • Publication of your winning story in northerly, the quarterly magazine of the Byron Writers Festival.

A runner up from each category will also have their stories published in the Byron Writers Festival’s quarterly magazine, northerly.

If you have any enquires, please email [email protected]


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anika


Media

May 11, 2016

Byron Writers Festival

6 – 8 August 2021
2021 Festival Dates

6 – 8 August


Key Information

Media


Festival Dates

6 – 8 August 2021

Where

Elements of Byron Resort, Byron Bay

What to expect

Now in its 25th year, Byron Writers Festival is one of Australia’s most popular regional literary events, featuring conversations with 100+ writers and thinkers over a three-day celebration of ideas, storytelling, and creativity.

Against a backdrop of Byron Bay’s incredible coastline and surrounded by nature, the Festival is loved for its relaxed and friendly vibe, open-air beachside location and powerful conversations spanning a mix of genres including music, art, environment, philosophy, health, politics, human rights and of course memoir and fiction.

Located just 5min from Byron Bay town centre, 30min from Byron/Ballina airport and 45 min from Gold Coast airport.

Who is it for

For writers, readers and people that believe in the power of storytelling, ideas and healthy debate as a force for good.

Tickets

$90 – $135 for a full day pass giving you access to over 35 sessions across 6 stages each day

Media enquiries

Clare McGregor Publicity
[email protected]
M: 0418 192 524

Festival 2021 Media Accreditation
Media Pass applications will open in May

Marketing enquiries

Anika Ebner
Marketing and Communications Manager
[email protected]
P: (02) 6685 5115

Social Media

Follow and share posts via facebook, instagram and twitter. A Festival Blog will accompany the launch of the Full Program.
Our festival hashtag is #byronwf2021


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E-newsletter Sign-Up

Photo Gallery

Click to view images from the 2019 Festival.

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And we’re off!

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Babara Toner finds her funny bone with Toni Jordan and Mandy Nolan

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Lessons in scarf-wearing: Head, neck and shoulders.

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Nevo Zisin on growing up queer in Australia

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#MeToo: Where To? with Amal Awad, Ginger Gorman, David Leser and Tracey Spicer

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Tara June Winch lays down the law when it comes to creativity and motherhood

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The PM Years with Kevin Rudd

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John Marsden on The Art of Growing Up

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No pots of gold unfortunately, but plenty of golden nuggets at the end of these rainbows!

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Vicki Laveau-Harvie on Memoir: Running in the Family

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Dr Julia Shaw delves into our darker thoughts on Exploring Evil with Gianrico Carofiglio

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Markus Zusak on crossing his Bridge of Clay

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Zusak fans

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Storm Clouds stayed at bay for most of the day

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Natasha Stott Despoja, Scott Ludlam and Dennis Atkins tackle the question: What’s Happened to our Politics

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Lisa-ann Gershwin on the joys of jellyfish

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Crusaders Against Corruption

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Roman Quaedvlieg on Crusaders Against Corruption

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Kate McClymont on Crusaders Against Corruption

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Ash Grunwald shares some acoustic tunes in his session

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Bruce Pascoe, Bronwyn Bancroft and Karla Dickens share a joke with chair Adam Shoemaker in The Stories Embedded in Landscape

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Bruce Pascoe enjoys a good ribbing

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Streaming in on Saturday under our Festival flags

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Delta Kay takes flight for Welcome to Country

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Mob reunions with Melissa Lucashenko, Uncle Jack Charles and Delta Kay

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Getting their kicks

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Well… THAT was funny

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Tim Flannery

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Sarah Hanson Young shares a laugh on ‘The Mental Load: A Woman’s Lot

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Gabbie Stroud’s heartfelt experiences resonate with many

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Sharing the load in The Mental Load

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Natasha Stott Despoja on Domestic Violence: A National Emergency

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Full house for Resilience, Strength and Adversity with Leigh Sales, Chloe Hooper and Tim Costello

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Soaking it up

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Leigh Sales

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Uncle Jack Charles had us laughing and crying in his memorable conversation

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The Sculpture Appreciation Society strike a pose

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Grazing

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Dr Julia Shaw strikes a pose

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The Debrief

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Bruce Pascoe’s conversation with Kerry O’Brien drew capacity crowds under a sunny winter’s sky

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A standing ovation for Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu conversation with Kerry O’Brien

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Adam Spence and Eddie Woo get their geek on in Amazing Mathematics

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An overflowing room sits riveted to Behrouz Boochani, live streamed from Manus Island

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Min Jin Lee, Benjamin Law, Jennifer Clement and Markus Zusak on the Family as Saga

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Jennifer Clement reflects on Family Saga

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Question time with Alison Lester at Kids Big Day Out

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Hands up for Morris Gleitzman at Kids Big Day Out

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Our 2019 Story Sleuths with Tristan Bancks

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The StoryBoard Story Space in action at Kids Big Day Out

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Alison Lester’s mural gets some finishing touches

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A.C. Grayling inspires the next generation of philosophers

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A.C. Grayling delivers the annual Thea Astley Address on Democracy and its Crisis

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Enthralled

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Sitting back for Democracy and its Crisis

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Hung Le relives one of many awkward moments…v

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And the audience laps it up!

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Taking time out to reflect

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Dmon Gameau on his hopes for 2040 with Nathan Scolaro

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Ending the weekend on a high note with Shire Choir

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Shire Choir’s Malea Naughton

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Coming together as community to celebrate and rejoice!

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A HUGE thank you to all of our WONDERFUL volunteers!! Your smiles and generosity are what make this Festival truly special!A HUGE thank you to all of our WONDERFUL volunteers!! Your smiles and generosity are what make this Festival truly special!

anika


Accommodation

May 11, 2016

Byron Writers Festival

6 – 8 August 2021
2021 Festival Dates

6 – 8 August


Key Information

Where to Stay in Byron

Find out more about Elements of Byron, our on-site accommodation partner, as well as links to other accommodation providers in the area.

Elements of Byron Resort

Elements of Byron Resort is the proud venue partner of Byron Writers Festival. The resort features 193 private villas dotted amidst 22 hectares of absolute beachfront paradise. The modern Australian beach architecture and interiors are inspired by the native flora and fauna of this exceptional Byron Bay beachside location, where every luxury awaits.

Facilities include a new adults exclusive pool, central lagoon pool and beach lounge.

Graze at Elements is the all-day dining option, along with poolside dining options and the Lobby Bar.

For more information: elementsofbyron.com.au

To make a booking call 02 6639 1500


The Byron at Byron

Relax and unwind with all the creature comforts you desire. The Byron at Byron is an intimate resort set amongst a 45 acre subtropical rainforest. Each beautifully styled and self contained suite provides the perfect balance between luxury and authenticity.

Dine in style surrounded by the lush rainforest canopy in their renowned restaurant or take some time out for an indulgence of R&R with a special treatment at the resort’s luxurious day spa. Enjoy the infinity pool and many of the resorts activities on offer including daily complimentary yoga.

The Byron at Byron is a proud accommodation partner of Byron Writers Festival.

For more information: thebyronatbyron.com.au

To make a booking call 02 6639 2000


byronbay.com

byronbay.com connects you with an extensive collection of accommodation options – find your perfect property then book online or direct with the property manager.
A local business, byronbay.com has spent the last two decades sharing an authentic sense of Byron with the rest of Australia and the world. Explore the region on our flagship website, blogs, and social channels.

A proud accommodation partner of Byron Writers Festival.

For more information visit byronbay.com


The Atlantic Byron Bay

The Atlantic Byron Bay is a lifestyle hotel. The perfect combination of location and style surrounded by swaying palm trees and the sound of the ocean. The Atlantic is the perfect getaway for couples with cafes, shops and white sandy beaches all steps from your deck. Soak up the sun on the lawn, hide under a palm tree and enjoy the balmy evenings by the fire pit.  Cast off your bags and start making moments at your home away from home.

The Atlantic Byron Bay is a proud accommodation partner of Byron Writers Festival

atlanticbyronbay.com.au


Byron Bay Accom

Byron Bay Accom has the largest range of holiday accommodation in Byron Bay, with over 200 options to choose from including apartments, holiday houses, beach houses, hotels, guesthouses, resorts and budget accommodation.

Byron Bay Accom helps you book affordable accommodation in Byron Bay and can cater to travellers on any budget.

Byron Bay Accom is a proud accommodation partner of Byron Writers Festival

For more information: https://www.byronbayaccom.net/

To make a reservation call 02 6680 8666


The Sails Motel, Brunswick Heads

Located in the heart of Brunswick Heads, The Sails offers 22 classic motel style rooms just a short stroll from the river, restaurants and cafes. Facilities include a Swimming Pool, BBQ & Gazebo, Bike Hire, Free Wi-Fi, Onsite Parking, Bar & Restaurant and an Event & Workshop Space.

thesailsmotel.com.au


Bayshore Bungalows

bayshorebungalows.com.au


Brunswick River Inn

brunswickriverinn.com.au


Wategos Treehouse

wategostreehouse.com.au


Major Venue Partner

With thanks to


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Accommodation Partners

With thanks to

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