11 July 2023
Heather Rose is the Australian author of eight novels, including the Stella Prize-winning The Museum of Modern Love. In this insightful Q&A, Heather discusses her memoir, Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here.
News & Editorial
6 July 2023
At this year’s Byron Writers Festival, we invite you to step away from the everyday, immerse yourself in a world of ideas and stories, and let your imagination run wild!
29 June 2023
Byron Writers Festival 2023 is set to transport audiences into the wildest depths of their imagination, and, with a number of different ticket types, there’s an option for everyone to enjoy the stories, discussion and debate that make up the program.
19 June 2023
A lost imperial city, full of wonder and marvels. An empire that was the largest the world had ever seen, established with astonishing speed. A people obsessed with travel, knowledge and adventure. Take a trip down the Silk Road with Byron Writers Festival Member Judy Ebner, in this review of Richard Fidler's The Book of Roads and Kingdoms.
16 May 2023
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida tells the story of Maali Almeida, a war photographer who has woken up dead in what seems to be a celestial visa office. He has ‘seven moons’ to try and solve the mystery of his death and to help unveil a cache of photos that will rock war-torn Sri Lanka. We share a sneak peek of author Shehan Karunatilaka’s life and work, ahead of his appearance at Byron Theatre next Tuesday 23 May.
6 February 2023
Local developmental editor and writing mentor Laurel Cohn profiles the Italy-based Australian writer and educator Lisa Clifford, and examines the importance of writers forging and maintaining connections.
6 January 2023
Volunteers continue to be the lifeblood of Byron Writers Festival’s connection to community. Tom Wolff, our festival administrator, paid a visit to two of our most treasured to talk about their fifty years in the Northern Rivers and what they love most about Byron Writers Festival.
5 October 2022
Notice of Special General Meeting
Byron Writers Festival gives notice of a Special General Meeting for the purpose of considering, and if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a special resolution:
That, for the purposes of Section 78 (2) of the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) and section 601BC of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and for all other purposes, approval is given for Byron WF Inc. to:
(a) apply for registration as a public company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth);
(b) change its name to “Byron Writers Festival Limited” upon registration as a company as contemplated in paragraph (a); and
(c) adopt the constitution (including new by-laws) tabled at the General Meeting to be effective upon registration as a company as contemplated in paragraph (a).
When: Thursday 27 October 2022, 5.30pm
Where: 2/58 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay
31 August 2022
A three-day program of panels, conversations and feature events, curated around the theme of ‘Radical Hope’ filled hearts, nourished minds and sparked much-needed joy for audiences and authors alike.
31 August 2022
Inspired panels and conversations, exuberant audiences and a resplendent site. Our official photo gallery tells the story of the 2022 Byron Writers Festival in pictures.
29 August 2022
Mix interesting facts about animals and nature with magic and spells, throw in a few questions about bums and farts, and you’ve got a fair chance of giggling, happy children. Adults were likewise spoiled for choice with panels covering geopolitics, crime, climate, resilience, hope and love.
27 August 2022
A cool, wet morning ushered in a tantalising program on Day Two. Packed marquees bore witness to the unfurling conversation about climate change, connection to Country, identity and truth – that most radical of hopes. Our Southern Cross University student reporters wrap up another magnificent day.
26 August 2022
Sunshine and clear blue skies set the tone for the first day of ‘radical hope’ at Byron Writers Festival 2022. There were ear-to-ear grins on the faces of patrons as they piled off the local solar train, eager for the first in-person version in three years of their beloved festival. The buzz was palpable as the packed program kicked off.
23 August 2022
On Friday 26 August we throw open the gates to Byron Writers Festival 2022! Read on for our comprehensive festival guide and get ready for three heart warming days of ideas, storytelling, debate, laughter, and inspired conversation.
Essential information
When & where Friday 26 August to Sunday 28 August, 8:30am – 5:00pm The grounds adjacent to Elements of Byron, 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay Carpark opens at 7.45am daily Tickets Visit byronwritersfestival.com/tickets or call (02) 6685 5115 A small allocation of 1-Day, 3-Day and Sunday Family/Kids passes will be available for purchase at the gate from 8.30am each day (if not sold out prior). However, we strongly advise that you book now to avoid disappointment. Can’t find your ticket? If you have lost your Byron Writers Festival ticket, workshop, special event ticket or membership number, please click here: LOST TICKETS You will just need the email address you booked with. Your lost tickets will be sent from Trybooking, please check your junk email if you can’t find them. How does my e-ticket work? If you have booked online or over the phone you will receive your tickets in an email from our ticketing site, TryBooking. Be sure to check your junk mail for this email if you can’t find it. Before you approach the festival gates:- Have your printed ticket with you, with your barcode visible for scanning, OR
- Have your ticket displayed on your mobile.
Getting to the festival
Train Catch the Byron Bay Solar Train from Byron Bay CBD to North Beach Station (festival site), a free service provided by Byron Writers Festival. Trains leave Byron Bay CBD every half hour. Timetable at byronwritersfestival.com/travel Shuttle bus A festival shuttle bus will operate every 30 minutes from 7.30am between Byron Bay Interchange and the festival site. Final departure from the festival is at 6pm on Friday and Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. The shuttle bus is a free service provided by Byron Writers Festival. Car Limited car parking is available at the festival site from 7.45am. Parking is by donation. We encourage carpooling if possible. Please park as directed by the parking attendants and ensure that you obey Council parking signs. No parking is permitted in the Elements of Byron Resort car park.Eat, Drink & Shop
Can I purchase food and drinks on site? Yes! A range of food stalls will be serving delicious local meals and snacks. There are great coffee outlets, as well as a festival bar. BYO bottle for water refills We are a plastic water bottle free event. Please BYO bottles for free refills from our water stations. The Book Room and book signing Come and explore the pop-up festival bookshop. Our bookseller, The Book Room, stocks books by all festival authors, with plenty of room to browse and shop. Bring your bookshop purchases to be signed by your favourite authors at the book signing tent next-door. Signings are held after festival sessions. Artisan Markets The festival’s onsite marketplace is populated by a select group of local artisans. Browse the amazing creations on offer and take home a memento. For more details, check out our Festival Site MapAccessibility
Auslan Interpretation Selected sessions from the main program are interpreted each day (indicated on our festival program). On-demand Auslan interpreters will also be available at the festival. If you require an Auslan interpreter, visit the Information Tent at the festival site to book an on-demand interpreter for a session of your choosing. Watch our Interpreted Video Guide to Byron Writers Festival. Disabled Parking Limited accessible parking is available. A drop-off / pick-up zone is located close to the festival entrance. Our parking volunteers can assist and direct you accordingly. Please clearly display your disability parking permit. For further information, please visit out accessibility webpage. That’s it! We can’t wait to see you there.
22 August 2022
With just a few days until we open the gates to the 2022 Byron Writers Festival, it’s time to get the highlighters out and start planning your weekend. If you’re still not sure which day to go, we’ve prepared some daily guides to help you decide.
17 August 2022
Not sure which sessions to see? We’ve saved the best ‘til last and highlighted some of the must-see panels and conversations from the 2022 program to help you decide.
10 August 2022
Byron Writers Festival 2022 unpacks the dark, light and murky in-between of modern society and politics. Read on for our daily digest of hand-picked must-see sessions.
2 August 2022
Win a prize pack from our partners plus a gift for a friend!
2 August 2022
Byron Writers Festival 2022 features a brains trust of experts in new and ancient methods of farming to explore the environmental and economic solutions to this major challenge.
2 August 2022
Byron Writers Festival 2022 features a wide range of sessions that explore the real world solutions we have available to us to address the climate crisis. In line with the festival theme of Radical Hope, you can expect to feel uplifted and leave with a renewed sense of purpose in building a greener, better future for all.