Byron Writers Festival 2026

Byron Writers Festival has unveiled the full program for its 30th anniversary edition, bringing together more than 150 writers, thinkers, poets and storytellers from around the world for three days of ideas, stories and conversation in Byron Bay from August 14–16.

Leading the line-up are Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan, journalist and human-rights advocate Antoinette Lattouf, veteran broadcaster Kerry O’Brien and bestselling author Trent Dalton. They’ll be joined by an impressive roster of literary and cultural voices including International Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree, public philosopher Roman Krznaric, former NSW premier Bob Carr, political commentator Niki Savva, novelists Meg Mason, Steve Toltz and Siang Lu, poet Evelyn Araluen, broadcaster Richard Fidler, author Kári Gíslason, journalist Amy Remeikis and playwright Wesley Enoch.

Presented under the theme of ‘sanctuary’, this year’s festival will explore politics, fiction, memoir, the environment, First Nations knowledge and contemporary culture through a packed program of conversations and special events. Highlights include Wesley Enoch delivering the inaugural Rhoda Roberts Oration, Kerry O’Brien leading the Thea Astley Address and Richard Fidler and Kári Gíslason returning for a live podcast session, Viking Lives: Ghost Stories.

Elsewhere, audiences can hear from Richard Denniss, Fiona Wright, Robert Forster, Victor Steffensen, Sam Thaiday, Turia Pitt, Sean Kelly, Louise Milligan and George Megalogenis, alongside an international contingent featuring Thammika Songkaeo, Ingrid Horrocks and Rafael Frumkin.

With a new home in the heart of Byron Bay, more free programming, kids events and beachside activations, Byron Writers Festival’s milestone year promises to be its most ambitious edition yet.