In only six years The Words on the Waves Writers Festival has helped establish the scenic Central Coast as an important Australian arts destination. In 2025 alone the festival audience increased by 20% and 39% of those attendees came from outside of the region. Words on the Waves, and its children’s program Ripples, has also enriched the cultural landscape for residents of the Central Coast year-round, delivering a program that is thought-provoking, and has a commitment to place and community for all ages.
The 2026 program, themed Take the Time, will take place May 27 – June 1, 2026.
It comes at 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 takes 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.’ – Festival Director, Angela Bennetts
Central Coast Council Mayor, Lawrie McKinna said the Words on the Waves Festival brings real benefits to our region by welcoming visitors, supporting local artists and businesses, and showcasing our beautiful region.
“Council is proud to support the Words on the Waves Festival through our Events and Place Activation Grant Program, It’s a great community initiative that brings people together and celebrates the power of storytelling,” Mayor McKinna said.
For the Day Pass Program held on Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31, there will be 24 illuminating author talks across 3 venues and 2 days (an increase of a third in 2026). Guests include: Niki Savva, Bob Carr, Dame Quentin Bryce, Louise Milligan, Kate Holden, Mark Kenny, Tom Keneally, Heather Rose, Candice Fox, Chris Hammer, Tara Moss, Bri Lee, Jacqueline Maley, Amy Remeikis, Sean Kelly, Tracey Lee Holmes, Yumi Stynes, and many more. All sessions are accessible via a Day Pass or Weekend Pass.
Panels already booking quickly include New World Order (exploring the state of the world today), The Power of Independent Media, Work & Class in Australia, How Indigenous Australians Discovered Captain Cook, thriller fiction panels, crime and historical fiction panels, and Beyond the Headlines.
Words on the Waves will kick off with a premier Opening Address at The Art House in Wyong. From there, the festival lights up the Central Coast from Patonga to Wyong with a range of author talks, drop-in sessions, writing workshops, poetry nights, kids activities, free book launches, and a literary cruise.
New event formats in 2026 range from a Historic Walking Tour through Gosford in partnership with The University of Newcastle, to publisher and literary agent pitch sessions for the aspiring writers amongst us all, looking for a leg up. There will be a new location – Gosford Regional Library – for the schools and family fun day programs as part of Ripples. There will also be events at the cutting-edge new university campus in Gosford.
HIGHLIGHT EVENTS
- Opening Address with guest stars Steve Toltz, Bob Brown, Sarah Wilson, Jack Toohey and Victor Steffensen
- Late Night Lit at Bar Toto featuring Jazz Money, Tyree Barnette, Prema Arasu and Antoun Issa
- Story Club with David Marr, Niki Savva, Brigid Delaney, Toni Jordan, Osher Gunsberg and Zoe Norton Lodge
- Ebb & Flow Poetry Slam hosted by Will Small with featured guest Andrew Cox
- Literary Cruise with Lisa Wilkinson, Chris Hammer and Prema Arasu
- Invisible Gosford: A History Walk in partnership with University of Newcastle, Central Coast Campus (new event in 2026!)
- An Evening with Bryan Brown, in conversation with Candice Fox
- Sparkling Company with Heather Rose, including a glass of bubbles and one of Australia’s finest writers
- Writing Up Stream, professional development in partnership with Faber Writing Academy and Writing NSW
ACCESSIBLE & FREE EVENTS
- In 2026, the festival’s short-form, fun-filled author talks, The Dip finds its new home at Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk. Speakers include Osher Gunsberg, local Gardening Australia star Tammy Huynh, Romantasy author Lily Crozier, investigative journalist Charlotte Grieve, and Yumi Stynes
- The festival also offers free events for its community: the Book Launch program shining a light on Cenrtal Coast authors, which in 2026 welcomes its biggest lineup (15 authors across 9 events)
- Free Family Fun Day (Saturday May 30) of storytimes, craft and performances at Gosford Regional Library
VIEW MORE
- View the 2026 Program
- View the Saturday May 30 program
- View the Sunday May 31 program
- View the Dip program
- 2026 Author lineup here.
- Tickets link: https://wordsonthewaves.com.au/buy-tickets-2026/
Words on the Waves is a not-for-profit organisation proudly supported by Central Coast Council, NSW Government and is made possible with thanks to our partners.
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Website: https://wordsonthewaves.com.au/
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Words on the Waves acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which these gatherings will take place.
