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June 2, 2026
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Byron Writers Festival 2024 opens Friday

By The Echo

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170 volunteers are on hand this weekend to help make the Byron Writers Festival possible. Photo Jeff Dawson

Byron Writers Festival opens on Friday with more than 160 writers and experts in over 130 different sessions and over 170 volunteers who make this amazing event possible. With a captivating lineup of literary stars, thought-provoking discussions, and a celebration of creativity from Friday 9 August to Sunday 11 August, topics covered include the environment, contemporary social issues, poetry, politics, memoir and fiction.

Be delighted by best-selling author Trent Dalton in conversation with Julia Baird and captivated by renowned crime writers Jane Harper, Candice Fox and actor-turned-novelist Bryan Brown. Take a deep dive into the wonder of the ocean with James Bradley and learn more about Indigenous cultivation from Bruce Pascoe. Be inspired by AFL legend Nicky Winmar, environmentalist Bob Brown, Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan and brilliant poet Ali Cobby Eckermann. Gain insight into international politics with former BBC correspondent Nick Bryant, ABC Global Affairs editor John Lyons and Indian academic Meena Kandasamy. Get behind the scenes with Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie, singer songwriter Kate Ceberano, and Suzie Miller whose smash-hit play Prima Facie has been adapted into a novel. Get plugged in with poets Tayi Tibble (NZ), Jazz Money, PEN award-winning author and poet Nam Le and winners of the Australian Poetry Slam at ‘Electric Poetics’, just one of the special evening events also on offer.

In addition to the main program there is a wonderful Kids Big Day Out program for children, Festival Workshops, Feature Events and Satellite Events in venues throughout the region.

3-Day and 1-Day Passes are available as well as Youth Passes, Kids Big Day Out Passes and tickets to Feature Events and Workshops.

Tickets can be purchased online via byronwritersfestival.com/tickets or from the onsite Festival box office from Friday 9 August through to Sunday 11 August (subject to availability). 

Full program and all tickets at: www.byronwritersfestival.com/festival.

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