Early Bird Weekend Pass
Saturday May 31 + Sunday June 1
Early Bird Discount available until Wednesday March 26.
The Early Bird offer is available from Wednesday February 26 until Wednesday March 26, and applies to the Weekend Pass only (Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1, 2025). It costs $140 (a saving of $38) and entitles you to choose from 8 sessions across the weekend main program, which means each session only costs $17.50!
To buy tickets just click below and purchase your Early Bird Weekend Pass and then sit back and wait. Once our Weekend Pass program is released in April, you will be prompted to apply your pass to the sessions you want. As an Early Bird pass holder you will receive priority booking access a day early – so you can be sure you won’t miss out on seeing your favourite authors.
The Dip Festival Marquee
The Dip
Saturday 31 May, all day
The Dip, Peninsula Recreation Precinct, Umina Beach
Our fun-loving festival marquee, The Dip, is back! Located in the Peninsula Recreation Precinct in Umina Beach (next to Jasmine Greens Kiosk and near Umina Beach SLSC), it is our home for low-cost, high-impact author talks on Saturday May 31. Click the links below to purchase your tickets.
- Central Coast Reads: Jane Caro
- The State of Australia Today with Hugh Mackay
- The Bunny Club with Blanche d’Alpuget
- Australia’s Most Hated Woman with Quentin McDermott
- Live Your Best Life & Save Money Too! with Lottie Dalziel
- Can MDMA Cure You? with Rebecca Huntley
- Broken Brains with Rosie Waterland
- Book Launch: Juno Gemes
- An Evening with Kate Grenville
- Ebb & Flow Poetry Slam
An Evening with Kate Grenville
Saturday 31 May, 6-7pm
The Dip, Peninsula Recreation Precinct, Umina Beach
Join celebrated author Kate Grenville as she discussed The Secret River, her new book Unsettled and everything in between. In conversation with historian Clare Wright.
Highlight Events
Opening Address 2025
Wednesday 28 May, 7-8pm
The Art House, Wyong
Join social psychologist, Hugh MacKay, Wiradjuri man and public intellectual Stan Grant and much-respected journalist Jan Fran as they ponder the festival theme, burning bright.
Tickets are $30. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.
Late Night Lit
Thursday 29 May, from 7pm
Bar Toto, Ettalong Beach
An evening of spoken word, poetry, open mic performances and other revelations with Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Daniel Nour, Joseph Earp and host Donné Restom.
The Magic of Morrigan With Jessica Townsend
Thursday 29 May, 6-7pm
The Hub, Erina Fair
Celebrating the release of the fourth Nevermoor novel, Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow, children’s author Nat Amoore and Nevermoor creator Jessica Townsend will discuss all things Morrigan, wunder, the Deucalion and so much more. This is a family friendly event that is perfect for Nevermoor fans of all ages.
Story Club
Friday 30 May, 7.30-9.30pm
Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club
A live storytelling show packed with brilliant stories and lots of laughs. Join Duncan Fellows, Jennifer Wong and Steph Vizard and hosts Osher Günsberg and Zoe Norton-Lodge for a night of entertainment.
Writing Workshops
Writing Up Stream
Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June
Sessions from 10am – 5.30pm
CWA Hall, 2 Sydney Ave, Umina Beach.
Join us for two days of professional development for writers, in conjunction with the Faber Academy and Writing NSW.
Choose a session that appeals to you or book them all!
You’ll receive a 10% discount when you purchase tickets to two or more Writing Up Stream events across Saturday and Sunday.
Weekend Program
Weekend Pass
Saturday 31 May + Sunday 1 June
Umina Beach SLSC and Ocean Beach SLSC
The Weekend Pass is your ticket to soul-tickling talks and mind-expanding conversations with some of Australia’s best authors. Enjoy your choice of 8 sessions over two days and two venues.. More details on the program can be found here.
Saturday Day Pass
Saturday 31 May
Umina Beach SLSC and Ocean Beach SLSC
Enjoy your choice of 4 sessions across 2 venues. More details on the program can be found here.
Buy your Day or Weekend Pass, THEN you can book into (‘redeem’) the Sessions you would like to attend.
Sunday Day Pass
Sunday 1 June
Umina Beach SLSC and Ocean Beach SLSC
Enjoy your choice of 4 sessions across 2 venues. More details on the program can be found here.
Buy your Day or Weekend Pass, THEN you can book into (‘redeem’) the Sessions you would like to attend.
