Here’s an overview of the Festival events from Friday 1 November to Sunday 3 November:

• Thank God It’s Friday with Richard Glover and ABC Radio Sydney, broadcast live on Friday afternoon.

• Three author events perched high over the Jamison Valley in a glass-walled cableway on Friday evening for Writers in the Sky.

• Welcome to Country on the Carrington Hotel lawn on Saturday morning.

• Ten half-day writing workshops on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

• Bedtime Stories on Friday and Saturday evening. A collection of festival talent will entertain and delight in the cosy surrounds of the Carrington, cup of hot chocolate (or whisky) in hand.

• 20 events on Saturday, held at The Carrington Hotel and the Katoomba Community Hall.

• A kids’ program at Katoomba Library on Saturday.

• Among the Trees, author readings and discussion held deep in the rainforest below Scenic World, early on Sunday morning.

• 20 events on Sunday, held at The Carrington Hotel and the Katoomba Community Hall.

• Beers and Books. Share an intimate Q&A session with a celebrated Australian author or two, at Mountain Culture, Katoomba's prize-winning craft brewery.

Will there be a children’s program?

Yes. The children’s program includes five sessions at Katoomba Library. Everything is free, but most events require registration to secure your spot.

What’s the Writers in the Sky event all about?

Held on Friday evening, the Writers in the Sky event involves communing with poets and writers while suspended over the Jamison Valley in a fully enclosed cable car. Live music, champagne, wine and nibbles will be provided. Yes, it’s a little quirky, but what better place to watch the sunset while drinking a glass of bubbles.

Do I need to be a writer to enjoy the Festival?

Nope! If you like to read, think, or even just meet new people, then you’ll enjoy yourself.

Where can I get a printed program?

A full PDF of the program will be available on the website. In addition, a ‘Festival At a Glance’ printed program will be available at all Festival venues over the course of the weekend.

Will there be international writers this year?

The program features mostly Australian writers, but this year we’re excited to be welcoming two international writers from China and New Zealand who will be in residence at Varuna, the National Writers’ House.

What kind of tickets are available, and when?

Silver and Gold weekend passes go on sale on 23 July, with early-bird discount prices.

Tickets to special events such as Writers in the Sky and Saturday and Sunday day passes go on sale on 13 August, when Weekend Passes become full price. Workshop tickets go on sale 20 August.

Subject to availability, single tickets will go on sale 27 August when the full program is announced.

How can I buy tickets?

You can buy tickets online from this website. If you have difficulty navigating online purchases, please call us on 02 4782 5674 during business hours. We can help you place your order over the phone.

Who is eligible for a concession ticket?

Concession pricing is applicable to students, seniors, pensioners, students and those with a Healthcare card.

There will also be special pricing available for people with disability, as well as MOBTIX tickets.

Will there be any free events?

Yes. There will be several free events over the course of the weekend. Once the full program goes live, you will be able to view a list of these events – simply go to our Events page and filter on ‘Free Events’.

Free events will also be highlighted on the ‘Festival at a Glance’ pages of our Festival program.

Do I have to decide in advance what events I’m going to see?

Yes and no. In general, there are four events running concurrently at any time of the day on both Saturday and Sunday. Once you purchase a day or weekend pass, we’ll send you a summary of the sessions for each timeslot. We’ll ask you to express a preference for each time slot. We won’t hold you to this preference on the day, but this information will help us manage seating, venues and capacity.

Do Festival sessions have allocated seating?

No. If you want a ‘front row’ seat, then you’re best to get to the session early. However, if you have accessibility needs, please email us at hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au and we can ensure you are reserved a suitable seat.

Will I receive a wristband? Do I need to print my ticket?

Day and weekend passes receive a wristband; single ticket holders don’t.

For day and weekend passes, please come to the ticket registration desk at The Carrington Hotel to pick up your wristband when you arrive.

The registration desk at The Carrington Hotel will be open from 12:00pm until 8:00pm on Friday 1st November, and from 8:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. You may need to show proof of ID to collect your day or weekend pass.

For single ticket holders, you can either show us your ticket on your mobile phone or print out a ticket – whichever is easiest. If that’s not possible, we can look up your name at the registration desk.

Where is the Festival held?

With the exception of Scenic World, all venues are within two minutes’ walk of one another.

• Three of the four main stages for the Festival’s panels and interviews will be in venues at The Carrington Hotel, at 15-47 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

• The fourth venue – Katoomba Community Centre – is located at 81-83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

• All workshops will be next door at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

• The kids’ program will be held at Katoomba Library.

• Writers in the Sky and Among The Trees will be at Scenic World, 1 Violet Street, Katoomba.

• Beers and Books will be held at Mountain Culture, 23-25 Parke St, Katoomba.

• Written in the Stars, with Blue Mountains Stargazing, will be held at Murray Park, Wentworth Falls.

Will any events be held at Varuna the National Writers’ House?

Not this year. The location and size of the house means it’s not the ideal venue for hosting events. We also have six writers in residence during the Festival, and we are committed to providing quiet time for writers to focus on their work.

How do I get to Katoomba?

Trains service Katoomba every hour, and Katoomba station is only two minutes’ walk from the main Festival venue. Getting to Katoomba by car is also straightforward, with ample parking nearby.

Where can I park?

You can find parking in the following places: underground carpark of Coles (next door to The Carrington); open-air parking outside Woolworths; underground carpark for Woolworths; commuter carpark next to The Gearin Hotel in Goldsmith Place, Katoomba.

A very limited number of onsite parking spots (via the Parke Street entry) will be available for those with an Accessible Parking Permit. Please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au to check availability and reserve. More information about Accessible Parking is available on our Accessibility page.

Can I purchase food on site?

Yes. There will be a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu available from the bar at The Carrington Hotel, as well as dinner at the Brasserie above The Old City Bank Bar. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants in Katoomba Street itself.

I can no longer attend the Festival. Can I get a refund for my ticket?

For more information, please read our refund policy.

Is there a T-Loop at the Festival venues?

We will have a portable T-loop available for a limited number of seats for sessions in the Grand Dining Room and Katoomba Community Centre.

Do you provide Auslan interpreters?

We have interpreters booked for the Festival weekend and will provide audiences the opportunity to request interpreters for specific sessions when the full program is announced on 27 August.

Is there parking for those with disabilities at the Festival?

There are a limited number of accessible parking spots at the Coles car park. If you contact us in advance, we can arrange for a volunteer to help you get from the car park to registration, and to move between venues.

A very limited number of parking spots will be available at the Carrington for those with an Accessible Parking Permit. Please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au to check availability and to reserve.

Patrons can also be dropped off near the accessible entrance to the right of the Carrington. Please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au to confirm your access requirements.

Is there accessible seating at the Festival?

Yes, we always reserve seating for audience members with access needs in each venue. If you have specific questions or needs, feel free to email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au to confirm your requirements.

Where can I find more information about steps and access for each venue?

If you go to the Venues page on this website, you’ll find details about steps and access for each specific venue. We can also allocate a volunteer to help you move between venues during the Festival itself.

Can I bring a companion to assist me?

Yes. We are members of the Companion Card scheme. If you require a ticket for your carer, companion or support worker, please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au.

Where can I find more information about access at the festival?

Please head over to our Accessibility page.

Can I volunteer with the Festival?

Yes! We’d love to welcome you as a volunteer to the Festival. Apply directly to volunteer here.