Festival | Byron Writers Festival

Festival location

Elements of Byron Resort
144 Bayshore Dr, Byron Bay NSW
View location in Google Maps

The Festival encourages all patrons to use public transport if possible. A shuttle bus and train service will be operating between Byron CBD and the Festival site from Friday 2 – Sunday 4 August.

Train and Bus Route Map

Train information

The new Byron Bay Solar Train (blue line) runs from Byron Bay to North Beach Station at Elements of Byron Resort, where the Festival takes place, for a cost of $4 per one-way journey. The Byron Bay platform (1) is located on Shirley Street in Byron Bay CBD between the First Sun Caravan Park and Simmos Caltex Service Station. The drop-off platform (2) is approx. 300 metres from the festival site. Trains will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 8am and 7pm. A one-way trip takes approximately 15min.

Shuttle Bus information

A regular Go Byron shuttle bus service (red line) to and from the Festival site will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 8am and 5.30pm.

Cost: The cost is $5 each way, paid directly to the driver.
Frequency: The shuttle bus will circulate every ½ hour throughout the day. You will need to hail the driver kerbside: they will not automatically stop, nor are we able to give you an exact time as it will be dependent upon pickup and drop offs. Feel free to call to see when the next shuttle is due on 02 66 855 008.
When to wait: You should be waiting at least 1 hour prior to your session time.

Pick-up-points

(B & C) Shirley Street (opposite ‘Break Free’ Apartments)
(D) The Atlantic (Marvel Street)
(E) Byron Bay Visitor Information Centre (Jonson Street)
(F) Byron at Byron Resort (77-97 Broken Head Road)

Car

The Festival car park opens at 7.45am. Elements of Byron is located at the end of Bayshore Drive, approximately 5km from the centre of Byron Bay. Car parking on site is limited. If driving we recommend arriving 45 minutes before Festival entry.

Click for Google Map

Taxi

For a taxi or maxi taxi to the Festival our preferred partner is Go Byron

Bike

If you are planning to ride a bike, please ride safely and be particularly mindful of merging traffic, parked cars and pedestrians. Bikes can be parked and locked to the safety fencing near the Festival entrance where signposted.

Safe riding tips (from Transport for NSW)

Always wear an approved bicycle helmet, properly fitted and fastened
Always obey the road rules, including traffic lights, stop signs and give way signs
Allow pedestrians a metre of space on shared paths, where possible.
Ride in a predictable manner so that other road users do not have to react suddenly to your movements
Give hand signals when changing lanes or turning left or right
Make yourself visible by wearing bright, light or reflective clothing
Plan your route using quieter streets, bicycle paths or shared paths
Always be in control of your bicycle. It is an offence to ride with both hands off the handlebars, feet off the pedals or to carry anything that prevents you from having control.

Plane

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is the closest to Byron Bay (30 min drive). Other airports include Gold Coast Airport (approx 45min drive) and Brisbane International (approx 1h45min drive).

Airport Transfers

Our preferred Airport transfer service is Go Byron. To book a transfer from Ballina or the Gold Coast airport please click here or phone (02) 6620 9200.

For transfers to and from Brisbane Airport, please visit brisbane2byron.com

Train

Countrylink provides a rail/coach transfer service to Byron Bay everyday. For reservations and information, phone 132 232 (6-10pm 7 days) or www.countrylink.info

Bus

Byron Bay is serviced daily by interstate coaches. For information contact Greyhound or Premier.

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anika

BUY TICKETS

First guests announced and Early Bird tickets on sale now for one week only!

Announcing… Behrouz Boochani, Damon Gameau, Benjamin Law, Min Jin Lee, Alison Lester, Sisonke Msimang, Bruce Pascoe, Leigh Sales, Tara June Winch, and Markus Zusak.

We are thrilled to share a taste of what’s in store for Byron Writers Festival 2019. Join us this 2-4 August for three days with story creators, idea makers and risk takers in one of the world’s most beautiful coastal locations.

Book your Early Bird 3-Day Passes now and save! Available from 9am Wednesday 8 May until midnight Tuesday 14 May. The Full Program will be announced and all tickets will be on sale from 12 June.

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Meet the Writers

Our Early Bird line up is a taste of what’s to come. The final line up of over 140 writers and thinkers will be revealed on 12 June when the Full Program is announced and all ticket types go on sale.

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Ticket releases, announcements and pricing

8 – 14 May: Early Bird tickets and first guests announced
First guest announcement
Early Bird 3-Day passes, available for one week only
Tickets on sale from 9am Wednesday 8 May until midnight 14 May

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

—

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.

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

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2 – 4 August
Festival Weekend!

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Auslan interpreted symbol Auslan Interpretation available. Please email [email protected] if you require an interpreter.

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.

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

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VIEW FESTIVAL PROGRAM

It’s Festival Weekend!

The marquees are up, the stages are set and on Friday we throw open the gates! Head to the blog for a comprehensive guide to enjoying your 2019 Byron Writers Festival and get ready for three heartwarming days of ideas, storytelling, debate, laughter, and inspired conversation.

Ticket update

Due to legal capacity restrictions, 3-Day Passes and Saturday Passes have SOLD OUT as of 7pm Wednesday 31 July. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience caused.

Friday and Sunday 1-Day Passes, Kids Big Day Out Passes, Sunday Family Passes and Satellite Events are still available online and from the Festival Box Office on the day (if not sold out prior).

We strongly advise that you book now to avoid disappointment.

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VIEW ALL WRITERS

VIEW ALL WRITERS BUY TICKETS

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VIEW FULL PROGRAM

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VIEW SATELLITE EVENTS

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VIEW WORKSHOPS

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VIEW KIDS BIG DAY OUT

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SOLD OUT

A 3-Day Pass gives access to all 121 sessions happening in the main Festival Program on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
—
$299 General
$255 Members & Students

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A 1-Day Pass gives access to sessions happening in the main Festival Program for your chosen day – Friday or Sunday.
—
$135 General
$110 Members & Students

<b>SATURDAY SOLD OUT</b>

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Admits one child and one accompanying adult to the Kids Big Day Out marquee on Sunday only.
—
$40 for one child (6-12 years) and one accompanying adult
$20 each additional child (Pre-schoolers free)

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BUY TICKETS

Admits one child and two accompanying adults. Children gain access to the Kids Big Day Out marquee only. Adults gain access to the whole Sunday program but cannot leave their children unsupervised, so will need to tag team.
—
$120 for one child (6-12 years) and two accompanying adults
$20 each additional child (Pre-schoolers free)

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anika

Is Byron Writers Festival 2020 going ahead?
I joined as a 2020 Byron Writers Festival Member for Festival ticket discounts. What now?
I have already booked my accommodation for the 2020 Festival, what can I do?
I have a voucher for the 2020 Festival, what now?
I want to support Byron Writers Festival through this difficult time. What can I do?
What are the dates for the 2021 Festival?

Is Byron Writers Festival 2020 going ahead?

Regrettably we have made the decision to cancel Byron Writers Festival 2020, which was scheduled to run from 7-9 August. In light of current public health advice regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and non-essential public gatherings, we have come to this difficult and inevitable choice to protect the health of writers and the entire community. We believe storytelling, ideas and connection matter more than ever at a time like this and we are reimagining how we might connect writers and thinkers with our audiences this year, including investigating the possibility of a virtual version of the Festival. Watch this space.

I joined as a 2020 Byron Writers Festival Member for Festival ticket discounts. What now?

If you joined specifically for Festival ticket discounts and wish to discuss, please get in touch with us via [email protected]. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at new ways to connect with and to add value for our members, and we believe that now more than ever we need a strong creative community. Thank you, as always, for your support.

I have already booked my accommodation for the 2020 Festival, what can I do?

We recommend you get in touch with your accommodation provider and ask them about their refund and cancellation policy in light of Covid-19 regulations and restrictions.

I have a voucher for the 2020 Festival, what now?

All 2020 Festival vouchers will be transferred and valid for use at the 2021 Festival.

I want to support Byron Writers Festival through this difficult time. What can I do?

Contributions of any size will go a long way in supporting our organisation. Should you wish to donate, please head to our Give Now page. Amounts over $2 are tax deductible.

What are the dates for the 2021 Festival?

The Byron Writers Festival 2021 dates are 6 – 8 August

How can I find out what is on?
Do I need to buy tickets?
Are the writers Australian or international?
Where is the Festival held?
Do I need to be a writer to enjoy the Festival?
What happens at Byron Writers Festival?
Do Festival sessions have allocated seating?

How can I find out what is on?

The full program of events will be available online from mid-June. The release will include all Marquee sessions, feature events and workshops. For program updates including workshop and special event announcements, please subscribe to our e-newsletter.

Do I need to buy tickets?

You certainly do. Access to the Festival site is only available to 3-Day or 1-Day Pass holders. A program of separately ticketed workshops and feature events – some of them free – runs in the lead-up to and throughout the main Festival weekend. Ticket prices vary and details are released when the full program is announced. Release dates for Early Bird and Full Program tickets can be found here. Please subscribe to our e-newsletter for writer announcements and ticket release updates.

Are the writers Australian or international?

Byron Writers Festival puts particular emphasis on celebrating Australian writers and storytellers, although many of these writers will be of international renown. You will find an international guest scattered among the line-up, but our philosophy ensures that Australian writing is of core significance in the program.

Where is the Festival held?

The Festival site is located at Elements of Byron Resort, approximately 5km from Byron town centre. Refer to our travel page for maps, directions and transport options.

Do I need to be a writer to enjoy the Festival?

No! Byron Writers Festival is all about words and ideas, perfect for all readers, writers and thinkers. Most attend to listen to contemporary writers, engage with new ideas, meet other curious-minded people and fall in love with new books.

What happens at Byron Writers Festival?

At the Byron Writers Festival site, you will find five beautiful white marquees plus two indoor conference rooms filled with conversations, panels, readings, lectures, performances and book launches running concurrently. Most sessions are 45 min – 1 hour in length, and you can sit and listen for an entire session or wander between marquees as the fancy takes you. There are coffee and food vendors or you more than welcome to bring a picnic. Our official bookseller, The Book Room, has a splendid bookshop in operation, so you may indulge yourself with the books by the authors to whom you have listened. Most authors will be in the book signing area after their sessions. On Festival Sunday, one marquee is turned over to children’s authors and the kids can have a special day meeting their favourites. In the evening, you can enjoy one of the feature events around town.

Do Festival sessions have allocated seating?

No. Seats in marquees are on a first come best dressed basis.

Does the Festival provide AUSLAN interpreters?
Is there disabled parking at the Festival?
Is there disabled seating at the Festival?

Does the Festival provide AUSLAN interpreters?

Selected sessions from the main program and the Kids Big Day Out 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 for the Auslan symbol in the printed program, and head to the Information Tent at the Festival to book an interpreter for a session of your choosing. Thanks to Multicultural NSW for funding this initiative.

Is there disabled parking at the Festival?

Limited disabled parking is available and our parking volunteers will direct you accordingly. Please have your sticker on display.

Is there disabled seating at the Festival?

Marquees and stages have wheelchair accessible allocated seating. Please make yourself known to the marquee supervisor and you will be ushered accordingly.

How can I get on the program of the Byron Writers Festival?
Does the Festival run any writing competitions?
Can I get a job with the Festival?
Can I volunteer with the Festival?

How can I get on the program of the Byron Writers Festival?

Byron Writers Festival is curated by the Festival Director and programming committee, in wide consultation with publishers and industry bodies. Participation is by invitation only. The Programming Committee does not accept unsolicited submissions, and due to the large quantity of messages we receive, we are not always able to reply to individual pitches. The program gives a broad definition to the concept of writing and incorporates many genres.

Does the Festival run any writing competitions?

Festival opportunities and competitions are listed on our website as they arise. We encourage people to subscribe to our e-newsletter for opportunity and competition announcements.

Can I get a job with the Festival?

The Byron Writers Festival is organised by the six staff and a hands-on Committee, we are a not-for-profit member-based organisation. Employment opportunities within the office are rare, but will always be placed on the Festival website.

Can I volunteer with the Festival?

The Byron Writers Festival relies on its enthusiastic volunteer workforce, with approximately 160 volunteers being rostered before and during the event. More information about volunteering can be found here.

How does my e-ticket work?
Don’t have your Festival ticket printed or your ticket displayed on your mobile device?
I have lost my ticket. What do I do?
Do I get a wristband?
When do the gates open?

How does my e-ticket work?

Tickets are emailed to you via our ticketing site, TryBooking. If you have purchased your ticket online or via the telephone, you should receive your tickets via email (note: mailed FROM TryBooking) as a PDF attachment. Be sure to check your junk mail for this email if you can’t find it. PLEASE PRINT YOUR PDF TICKET before you come to the Festival to facilitate ease of scanning at the entrance gates. 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 device.

Don’t have your Festival ticket printed or your ticket displayed on your mobile device?

Please go to the Festival box office where a staff member will assist you. DO NOT join the queue at the Festival gates.

I have lost my ticket. What do I do?

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.

Do I get a wristband?

Yes. Once we scan your ticket, you will receive your wristband. You must wear your wristband at all times while at the festival and you may be checked as you enter various venues. 3-Day wristbands are non-transferable and non-removable so be sure to keep it on for the whole three days

When do the gates open?

Gates open at 8.30am daily.

How do I get to the Festival site?
Is there parking at the Festival?
Where can I drop off / pick up friends and family?

How do I get to the Festival site?

The Festival encourages all patrons residing in the Byron Bay CBD to use public transport if possible. A Festival shuttle bus and train service will be operating between Byron CBD and the Festival site from 8.00am and 8.00pm over the Festival weekend (Friday to Sunday) If you plan to drive, limited car parking is available on site. PLEASE NOTE: Traffic congestion expected. We highly recommend that if there is an option to ride-share or catch the train, that you do so. If driving we recommend arriving 45 minutes before Festival entry. For more details on planning your trip including timetables and maps, please refer to our travel page.

Is there parking at the Festival?

Limited onsite parking will open at 7.45am. Onsite parking is approximately 200m from the Festival Entrance. Our parking volunteers will direct you as you approach the parking area. Parking is by donation.

Please be advised there may be significant delays on Ewingsdale Road and Bayshore Drive due to Festival traffic. To alleviate congestion and save time, we encourage those coming from Byron CBD to use the Festival shuttle or take the train.
Please obey all signage and the directions of our volunteers.
Byron Writers Festival is not responsible for fines imposed by Byron Shire Council or NSW Police for parking that is contrary to signage.

For car directions, please refer to our travel page.

Where can I drop off / pick up friends and family?

Please tell the parking volunteers you are ‘drop off only’ and follow directions to the public drop off area (bus stop).

Is there a cloakroom?
Can I charge my phone at the Festival?
Where is lost property?
Do I bring my own drink bottle?
Can I purchase food on site?
Where can I get a printed program from?
Is there an ATM onsite?

Is there a cloakroom?

There is no cloakroom at the Festival site. If you have baggage or suitcases, you will need to arrange your own safe storage.

Can I charge my phone at the Festival?

Unfortunately, we do not offer phone-charging services. Please come fully charged up!

Where is lost property?

Lost property is located as the Festival Information Booth. All unclaimed items will be returned to the Festival office and will need to be picked up from there after the Festival weekend has concluded.

Do I bring my own drink bottle?

Byron Writers Festival is a plastic water bottle free event. Please BYO bottles for refills. There will be a water refill station of spring water on site, and Byron Writers Festival water bottles for sale at the Information and Merchandise tent.

Can I purchase food on site?

Yes! A range of food stalls will be serving delicious local meals throughout each day of the Festival from our food marquee. Elements of Byron will be offering snacks, light meals and drinks from Barefoot Kiosk and a range of dining options at resort restaurants Graze and Drift.

Where can I get a printed program from?

Printed programs are available at the Festival entrance and Festival Information Tent. Please note our printed program is subject to last minute changes. An up-to-date daily program of sessions is available from our website. Keep a look out at the Festival site for signage and handouts advising of unavoidable last-minute program changes.

Is there an ATM onsite?

Yes. Please refer to the Festival Map for location. This will printed in the Festival Program.

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