Queenscliffe Literary Festival
Queenscliff Town Hall and Other Venues
Now in its 12th year, Queenscliffe Literary Festival brings Australia's finest writers, thinkers, and storytellers to the Bellarine Peninsula over two weekends in October.
In 2026, the festival features George Georgievski (aka the Lunchbox Dad), former NSW Premier Bob Carr, food icon Stephanie Alexander, Stella Prize winner Michelle De Kretser, veteran journalist Lisa Wilkinson, acclaimed ballet dancer Li Cunxin, founder of Deepcut news Antoun Issa, and many more.
By weekend two, it's time for conversations with master interviewer Shaun Micallef, comedy legend Judith Lucy, crime writer Chris Hammer, memoirist Lorin Clarke, and the enduring Kaz Cooke. The festival will end on a high with an interactive session for all ages from the energetic Australian Children's Laureate Andy Griffiths.
The festival have got panels to challenge the status quo, tackling the big issues and cultural controversies. They are thrilled to feature STELLA: A New Australian Musical – a night with the artists by Monique diMattina, detailing the life of writer and feminist Stella Miles Franklin, a series of free community events, including the Book Doof, a community reading session under a live ambient DJ set, a Book Swap, where you simply bring a book and appetite to meet new people, and a community sing-a-long to ring in your Sunday.
