Words on the Waves 2026 program announced

The program for the Words on the Waves Writers Festival, to run from 27 May to 1 June on the NSW Central Coast, has been announced.

The festival’s opening address, to take place on 27 May, will feature former Greens leader Bob Brown, Firesticks Alliance founder Victor Steffensen, social media star Jack Toohey and authors Sarah Wilson and Steve Toltz.

Other authors appearing at the festival include Niki Savva, Bob Carr, Dame Quentin Bryce, Louise Milligan, Kate Holden, Mark Kenny, Tom Keneally, and Candice Fox, Bryan Brown, Jazz Money, Tyree Barnette, Prema Arasu, Antoun Issa, David Marr, Brigid Delaney, Toni Jordan, Osher Gunsberg, Zoe Norton Lodge and Chris Hammer, among others.

The festival will feature 24 author talks across 3 venues, with panels that are “already booking quickly” including New World Order, The Power of Independent Media, Work & Class in Australia, How Indigenous Australians Discovered Captain Cook, Beyond the Headlines, thriller fiction panels, and crime and historical fiction panels, according to the festival.

Festival director Angela Bennetts said, “We take pride in offering an extremely high calibre of programming – on par with festivals in urban centres the world over – but with the benefit of a stunning coastal setting and the warmth and hospitality of a regional community. In a time when writers’ festivals are more important – and imperilled – than ever, we invite you to celebrate the role they play in showcasing the big ideas, bold stories and urgent artistry of Australian authors.”

The festival will offer free events including the book launches by local authors and the Family Fun Day.

More information is available from the festival website.

Category: Festivals Local news