8–10 August, 2025, Bangalow Showground
Passion & Purpose
Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas. This year’s program invites contemplation of a life well lived, with literature and art at its centre. It celebrates the act of creation, of writing and art making, community building, and the good, hard work of progress.
On this page you will find news and articles highlighting what’s on at this year’s Byron Writers Festival and the official festival program booklet.
For more information, the program and tickets visit byronwritersfestival.com.
See the lift-out feature in The Byron Shire Echo, 6 August 2025.
Byron Writers Festival 2025 – some events going ahead
The 2025 Byron Writers Festival say there are some key satellite events that are going ahead today and tomorrow including the Poets Out Loud Youth Slam, Guardian Australia’s ‘Are you Game Show’ and Beyond the Lines.
Byron Writers Festival – today’s the day!
Starting today the Byron Writers Festival will be igniting imaginations, stirring conversations, and celebrating the power of stories at the picturesque Bangalow Showgrounds on Bundjalung Country.
Attica chef Ben Shewry: be kinder to all things rather than...
Melbourne’s culinary icon and award-winning restaurateur Ben Shewry – of Attica fame – takes centre stage at the 2025 Byron Writers Festival. Ben will appear across two captivating sessions on Saturday, 9 August including a discussion on his absorbing...
Byron Writers Festival in conversation with writer and artist, Kirli Saunders
Proud Gunai Woman Kirli Saunders (OAM) is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, author of nine books, poet and singer-songwriter who will bring her bold, boundary-pushing voice to the Byron Writers Festival.
Poetry, comics and dinner parties of a different kind
From a hands-on comic and zine workshop, to the heart-thumping, exhilarating Australian Poetry Slam, there are events and workshops as part of the Byron Writers Festival for all kinds of storytelling.
Literary heavyweights coming to Byron Writers Festival
This year’s writers festival boasts one of the most impressive lineups in years, featuring big names in Australian and international literature.
Interview with Esther Freud, international headliner at Byron Writers Festival
Byron Writers Festival talked to British novelist Esther Freud in the lead-up to this year's festival.
Interview with Terraglossia author Debra Dank
Debra Dank is passionate about the environment, especially as her Country, on the Beetaloo Basin, is under threat of being fracked. Her latest book is Terraglossia
Byron Writers Festival: cake creator Nadine Ingram
With a career spanning Michelin-starred kitchens, to her own artisan bakery, beloved Sydney baker and Flour and Stone founder Nadine Ingram joins Byron Writers Festival to share the stories behind her cult-favourite creations from her heartfelt cookbooks Flour and...
The best new release books at Byron Writers Festival
From practical non-fiction on how to ditch fossil fuels in the home, to the best new crime, sci-fi, and spellbinding fiction from international guests, there is something for everyone at this year’s Byron Writers Festival.
Writers Festival Kids Program – family festival fun!
If you know a budding bookworm, the Byron Writers Festival Kids Program is the perfect place to nurture their love of storytelling while having an absolute blast!
Q&A with TV star and kids author Tony Armstrong
Tony Armstrong found national acclaim as an AFL player turned TV personality. Now he’s a successful children’s book author and will share his latest book Maggie the Dragon at Byron Writers Festival’s Kids Program.
Passion for politics at Byron Writers Festival
Planning your big weekend at Byron Writers Festival? We take a look at the hot button topics at Australia’s largest regional writers festival this August.
Sit down with performer Ziggy Ramo
Ziggy Ramo is an award-winning artist whose work spans music, literature, film, and performance. This year, Ramo brings his powerful voice and vision to Byron Writers Festival.
Big names and big issues explored at writers festival
This year’s Byron Writers Festival is a star-studded celebration of national icons and local legends gathered under the festival theme Passion & Purpose.
Writers fest locked and loaded
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.
Passion & Purpose program at Byron Writers Festival
The organisers of the 2025 Byron Writers Festival have announced the program for this year’s event, themed Passion & Purpose.
Byron Writers Festival student comp open
The Byron Writers Festival has announced submissions open until the end of the month for the 2025 Student Writing Prizes.
Sunday locals’ passes on offer
In what has become a cherished local tradition, the Byron Writers Festival is once again teaming up with First National Byron to offer the Sunday locals’ pass.
Award-winning Irish author, Colum McCann in conversation
In the lead up to the Byron Writers Festival you can join award-winning Irish author, Colum McCann in conversation with esteemed journalist and presenter Mick O’Regan.
Writers Festival lineup drops
The first round of authors have been revealed for the 2025 Byron Writers Festival, to be held at the Bangalow Showgrounds on August 8–10.
