PROGRAM 2026
PROGRAM 2026
At Words on the Waves 2026, we invite you to take the time.
From May 27 – June 1, take the time to pause, and hear a hard-won life story. To sit with a complex truth. Consider a view not your own. Indulge in imaginative curiosity. Slow down and really think.
We have plenty of clever authors and journalists descending on the Central Coast who can help. Witness the incredible personal tales of Dame Quentin Bryce, Bob Brown, Rosalie Ham, Bob Carr, Tara Moss and Sarah Wilson. Welcome literary heavyweights, including Steve Toltz, Thomas Keneally, Heather Rose, Bri Lee, Jacqueline Maley, Louise Milligan and many more. Hear from the cutting edge of society, culture and politics, with Niki Savva, Amy Remeikis, Tracey Lee Holmes, and Mark Kenny. Set sail with Lisa Wilkinson aboard our Literary Cruise, and be awed by the power of a good yarn with screen legend Bryan Brown.
This year new event formats such as historic walks and publisher pitch sessions join old favourites: author talks, headliner conversations, literary readings, storytelling soirees, writing workshops and more.
You can enjoy all this, as you hear the waves rolling in, sand on your toes and a new book in hand, Words on the Waves style. Why not Take the time?
Day or Weekend Pass
The Day or Weekend Pass is your ticket to the big ideas, bold stories and urgent artistry of our 2026 Australian authors. From philosophy to #Auspol, crime to current affairs, Words on the Waves offers something to tempt every kind of booklover.
You can now browse our Saturday May 30 program and Sunday May 31 program, and then purchase tickets for each Day or the Weekend. The Day Pass entitles you to four (4) sessions across three venues: Ocean Beach SLSC, Umina Beach SLSC and the Festival Marquee at the Umina Beach Recreation Precinct (the Weekend Pass entitles you to 8). You can select any Session you wish to attend. Book signings will follow each event. These sessions are accessible via a Day or Weekend Pass only.
Highlight Events
Literary delights continue at our Highlight Events: poetry salon Late Night Lit, raucous storytelling soiree Story Club, the Saturday headliner An Evening with Bryan Brown, and the return of our much-loved Literary Cruise. Due to demand, the Ebb & Flow Poetry Slam will be back, and we have a few new exciting options for you: a History Walk through Gosford, and a sundowner with Heather Rose (and a glass of sparkling). Do you have a book inside of you, just itching to get out? Join our professional development day, Writing Up Stream, with industry experts.
Tickets for the Highlight Events and Writing Up Stream workshops and panels can be purchased separately to the Day Pass.
The Dip at Jasmine Greens
Now held in Jasmine Greens Park Kiosk near Umina Beach SLSC, The Dip is our home for low-cost, high-impact author talks on Saturday May 30.
Tickets for The Dip sessions can be purchased separately to the Day Pass and Highlight Events.
Free Events
Our fabulous assortment of free events include a Central Coast Reads Author Talk, our local author Book Launch Program, and much-loved Family Fun Day!
Plan Your Festival Adventure
Explore our Interactive Festival Map for Words On The Waves 2026
We acknowledge that Words on the Waves Festival takes place on the lands of the Darkinjung people. We pay our respect to these lands and its people. We acknowledge those ancestors that defended,walked and managed these lands for many generations before us and who have left a legacy of strong cultural, wisdom and knowledge embedded in these lands today.
