18.6 C
Byron Shire
July 14, 2026

Writers fest locked and loaded

Latest News

Bumpers to Bruns

Last Sunday, antique chrome and stylish engineering was on display in Brunswick Heads as the Back to Bruns hot rods came to town. Jeff Dawson was there to capture it.

Other News

Bigger community say on hospital land

Byron Council has voted to give the community a greater role in shaping the future of the former Mullumbimby Hospital site, despite concerns from some councillors that additional consultation could further delay the delivery of desperately needed housing.

Where do I start. Where does it end?

There is so much happening in the always enthralling intersection of law and politics that it is hard to know where to start. I will stop my head spinning and focus on just five.

Energy savings

Two exciting developments will lower household electricity bills, strengthen the local grid, and help power-up our renewable energy. First,...

$30,419 for Byron’s Fletcher Street Cottage

The Festival of Stone sold out in June with over 2,000 people enjoying good music, great food, and the festival’s namesake Stone Brew Beer.

Evelyn Araluen on coming home to Country

Byron Writers Festival interviews prize-winning poet Evelyn Araluen who will present her new poetry collection, 'The Rot', at the 2026 Byron Writers Festival.

Byron Bay High are Mock Trial champions

Byron Bay High School’s Mock Trial team achieved a rare trifecta as their debut as a formidable legal team in the Southern Cross University (SCU) Mock Trial competition. 

Authors Kayte Nunn (The Palazzo) and Denise Alison (Humans of Lismore), Bundjalung woman and Byron Shire councillor, Delta Kay, with Artistic Director, Jessica Alice. Photo Jeff Dawson

The 2025 Byron Writers Festival program has been revealed!

More than 160 heavyweights in the Australian and international literary scene will explore the important themes shaping our world at the scenic Bangalow Showground from August 8 to 10.

With the theme ‘Passion and Purpose’, the festival will host more than 160 writers with thought-provoking panels, in-depth discussions, debate and intimate conversations.

Additionally, the festival will feature an array of workshops, a dedicated children’s program and special feature events.

Bold conversations

Festival organisers say, ‘From celebrated novelists, memoirists, poets and essayists to leading political commentators, academics and activists, the program promises bold and wide-ranging conversations spanning social justice, politics, the environment, crime, mortality and human connection’.

Artistic Director, Jessica Alice, says of the 2025 theme, ‘Passion and Purpose’: ‘This year’s festival is an exuberant celebration of the art of reading, writing, and living with purpose featuring renowned writers and the most impressive new voices. We are honoured to present these brilliant authors and thinkers who will ignite your curiosity and passion for a life well lived, and big ideas for a better world.’

Foodie/kids program

Foodie favourites Virginia Trioli, Nadine Ingram, and Ben Shewry will share their unique insights into culture, creativity, and cuisine, while at the Sunday Kids Program, beloved children’s authors including Peter Helliar, Zanni Louise and Tony Armstong will offer laughter, imagination, and heartwarming tales for young readers. www.byronwritersfestival.com



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Business Lennox Head meets Thursday

The first Business Lennox Head After Hours of the new 2026/27 financial year will be this Thursday at the Lennox Hotel  from 5.30pm, and organisers say, 'we'd love to see you there'.

Mullum residents rally over second ‘woeful’ massive DA

A community gathering last night heard of the concerns around the second attempt to plonk a large block of units at the entrance to Mullumbimby.

Myocum Road road patching starts soon

Byron Council say they are about to start a major program of heavy patching on Myocum Road later this month.

Great Koala National Park feedback report released

Feedback around the NSW government's Great Koala National Park (GKNP) proposal has been published – what are the main themes?