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Byron Writers Festival '26
Your guide to Byron Writers Festival 2026
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New precinct, beloved Byron township, same easy Festival experience. Here's exactly what to expect at the 30th anniversary of Byron Writers Festival this weekend, August 14–16.
From getting here to catching your last session under the stars, this is everything you need to know all in one place:
1. Getting here & parking
Heading in by car? Park all day for just $10 at the Cavanbah Centre (249 Ewingsdale Road) by pre-purchasing your parking pass. The carpark opens at 7:30am and accessible parking is available.
From there, hop straight onto the free festival shuttle bus running between the Cavanbah Centre at hourly intervals, with 30-minute intervals in the morning.
Carpooling is encouraged, and the Byron Solar Train from North Beach Station is another easy way in for locals and visitors.
Find the full parking shuttle schedule here.
2. Collect your wristband
Once you're at the precinct, show your Festival pass to receive a wristband before attending any sessions — this is what gets you into festival venues.
Important note: Festival Pass holders must be present to collect their individual wristbands, wristbands will not be handed out without a pass holder present upon collection.
Wristbands can be collected at:
The Festival Hub Box Office, Railway Park — open from 8:00am, Friday to Sunday. This is the main hub across the weekend where you can collect wristbands, purchase tickets and merchandise, and ask our helpful team any questions you might have.
The Bay St Stage Ticket Desk — open from 7:45am to 9am only, Friday to Sunday.
Please note: There are no ticket sales at the Bay St Ticket Desk, this is a wristband collection point only for those attending early sessions – such as Coffee & News on Saturday and Sunday at Beach Hotel.Simply show your pass and we'll pop your wristband on. Keep it on all weekend — you'll need it every time you head into a venue.
3. Walking the precinct
Once you’ve got your wristband, everything is close by. The Festival Precinct is only 650m end-to-end, with venues clustered in walkable hubs and connected by the Railway Park Festival Hub, the Festival Bookshop in the Byron Visitor Information Centre on Jonson St, and The Book Room on Fletcher Street — so there's always a coffee, a bookstore browse, or a shady spot to sit between sessions.
Most walks between venues take between five to fifteen minutes, and we've built 30-minute breaks into the program to allow you to get between venues.
Grab a program with map: The Festival Program has all session details and a map. Download the program PDF now.
4. Navigating the program
With over 110 sessions across the weekend, a little planning goes a long way. Grab a printed program with a map from the Festival Hub, or download the program PDF ahead of time so you can start circling your must-sees. Some sessions start early – from 7:00am onwards – including the Saltwater Cleanse, yoga and Coffee and News at Beach Hotel.
Plan your day around the conversations, panels and signings you don't want to miss — and leave room to stumble on a few happy surprises along the way.
Download the program PDF now.
5. Author Book Signings
After most sessions throughout the day you’ll have a chance to get your books signed by your favourite authors. Bring your copy, or grab one at the pop-up Festival Bookshop in the Byron Old Visitor Information Centre on Jonson St, presented by The Book Room. Signings take place here in the Hub for the downtown venues, or up at the Bay St Stage for foreshore venues, after each session.
6. Meet The Author at The Book Room
The Book Room at Byron is our official bookseller and Major Partner and will host special author appearances at the Fletcher St shop across the weekend. Meet your favourite authors, get your books signed and stack up on other great titles. Here is the appearance schedule:
Michael Winkler | Saturday 15 August | 11:30am
Meg Mason (NZ) | Saturday 15 August | 2:30pm
Kerry O’Brien | Saturday 15 August| 3:00pm
Roman Krznaric (UK) | Sunday 16 August | 3:00pm
7. Feature Events bring the night to life
Your day pass gets you into the main daytime program (between 7am and 5pm), but the evening is where things get really special. Feature Events are our separately-ticketed, headline sessions — big-name conversations, authors and one-off evenings you won't want to miss. Book these in advance alongside your festival pass so you've got your evening sorted before you arrive. Feature event tickets will be available until sold out.
Important Note: No door sales are available for Feature Events – purchase these tickets at byronwritersfestival.com now.
6. Enjoy the Festival
You’re all set. Don’t forget to check out the Festival marketplace, catch your favourite authors, grab a coffee between sessions, get your books signed, settle in for an evening Feature Event, and soak up three days of Byron Writers Festival's 30th anniversary!
For specific questions about accessibility parking, the shuttle timetable, or specific Feature Event tickets, please see our FAQs at www.byronwritersfestival.com/faq
Helpful Links:
See the full Festival Precinct map
Explore the full program online
Buy your pass
Writers
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Festival Events & Workshops
Join us for a special series of separately ticketed events and workshops featuring guests from the Byron Writers Festival '26 program.
Key Information
Byron Writers Festival is held on Bundjalung Country in the township of Byron Bay, Northern New South Wales.
Eat & Drink
The Byron Bay township is full to the brim with restaurants, cafes, bars and eateries to experience during the Byron Writers Festival. Alongside this are local retailers and artisans offering unique keepsakes and gifts from the region.
Shop
Browse our marketplace of local artisans, and visit The Book Room, our festival bookshop, to grab your favourite festival titles and have them signed by authors after each session.
In the unlikely event that Byron Writers Festival 2026 does not proceed, you will be offered a refund for all passes including parking.
Unfortunately we are unable to swap or change passes once they have been issued.
Yes, we love our volunteers, they are the heart and soul of our festival. Applications generally open in May each year.
For more information on how to get involved, see our volunteer page. Make sure to sign up to our mailing list and socials to stay in the know.
Festival Partners
Thanks to all our partners and supporters. Byron Writers Festival would not be possible without your passion and generosity.
Media
Media accreditation is strictly reserved for members of the media – print, photo, radio, TV, film, news agencies and online – who represent a legitimate media organisation and must be committed to publishing event coverage.
