Mountain Writers Festival 2026

Set at the foot of Geboor (Mount Macedon) on Wurundjeri Country across three days Friday 13 - Sunday 15 November, Mountain Writers Festival offers a literary festival experience unlike any other. Celebrating stories that deepen our relationship with place through our enduring theme ‘Nature. Place. Story,' the festival brings acclaimed Australian writers into conversation with local and regional voices for a weekend of conversations, workshops, performances and immersive events.

Our interstate guests this year include legendary activist Bob Brown, author and academic Debra Dank, writer, filmmaker, musician and consultant Victor Steffensen, author Mirandi Riwoe, author, poet, rapper, visual artist and winner of the 2026 Miles Franklin Award Omar Musa, cellist Mariel Roberts Musa, poet and midwife Lulu Houdini, YA writer Josh Hortinela, writer and producer Johanna Bell, and critic and writer Neha Kale.

This year’s program continues our commitment to climate resilience and the craft of storytelling, with a wide range of curated sessions. Your Weekend or Day Pass gets you access to nine curated panel and in conversation sessions each day as part of our talks program.

We are also celebrating the vital voices of regional writers and offering programs for young people - including our first-ever schools day and an exciting partnership with Kyneton’s Squishy Minnie Bookshop. Plus, an evening of free performances and networking for writers - including The Wheeler Centre's Next Big Thing: Regional, and an open mic presented in partnership with Writers Victoria.

Check out the full program of events and lineup of guest artists on our website: https://mountainfestival.com.au/program

Mountain Writers Festival is supported by Creative Australia, Melbourne Airport, Creative Victoria, Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Community Bank

Gisborne & District. We are grateful to all our generous supporters and partners.

Festival Passes

The main way to engage with the festival is by booking a Weekend Pass - which ensures access to our full talks program at Jubilee Hall on the Saturday and Sunday, or a Day Pass to gain access to the full range of sessions on Saturday or Sunday.

Covering nine curated panel and in conversation sessions each day, our passes offer a more than 50% discount compared to purchasing individual session tickets. Limited rush tickets may be available for purchase on the door subject to capacity, so the best way to secure your spot is to get in early and book a pass.

🎟️ Weekend Pass + Opening Night: $260.00

🎟️ Weekend Pass (Saturday / Sunday only): $240

🎟️ Day Pass (Saturday): $130

🎟️ Day Pass (Sunday): $130

Single Session Tickets

Are available for select events in the program - including

🎟️ Opening Night Gala: Wilder ($35, or add on to a Weekend Pass for $20)

🎟️ Closing Night: Ecotone and Salon: Dress Your Age (both free with Festival and Day Passes)

🎟️ Feature Event: Salon - Dress Your Age

🎟️ Feature Event: The Village Square

🎟️ Workshop: Poetic Attention with Lucy Van

🎟️ Workshop: Writing History with Mirandi Riwoe

🎟️ Workshop: Yesterday Island with Sam Voutas

🎟️ Workshop: Flower Power with Jac Semmler

🎟️ Book Club: Books, Bakes and Brews with Caroline Parker

Ticketing Enquiries

Feel free to reach out to us via ticketing@mountainfestival.com.au

We are a very small part-time team, so please be patient with response times!