Whitsunday Writers Festival 2025
Don't miss the chance to attend the enlightening Whitsunday Writers Festival in September 2025! Whether you're a writer yourself, or you're looking to engage with the local community through incredible events, this year's Whitsunday Writers Festival is going to be full of awards, speakers, and heartwarming energy.
What is the Whitsunday Writers Festival?
The Whitsunday Writers Festival is an annual event that celebrates the creative spirit of the local Queensland community. The 2025 main event will be held on Friday 12 September, with the opportunity to join pre-event writing sessions and intensive workshops throughout the week. Writing competitions are available to aspiring writers as well, and the winners will be announced at the main event.
From knowledgeable speakers, to an insightful author panel, to the presentation of writing awards, to music from local artists, the Whitsunday Writers Festival is an evening full of artistry and inspiration.
Whitsunday Writers Festival 2025 Events and Speakers
The main event for the 2025 Whitsunday Writers Festival is the Love Letter To Queensland Event. The goal is for community members to capture their connection to Queensland through words. Through the format of a love letter, writers can describe why they love and appreciate Queensland and submit their piece to the community writers competition (submissions close 31st August, 2025).
Held at the Whitsunday Sailing Club on Friday, 12 September, the Love Letter to Queensland Event will announce the winners and honourable mentions of the writing competition. The jam-packed evening will also have an opening speech by Mayor Ry Collins, canapes and welcome drinks, book signings, and presentations by several notable speakers.
Speakers at the 2025 Whitsunday Writers Festival will include:
- Dr Anita Heiss - Award-winning author
- Hedley Thomas - Australia’s national chief correspondent, investigative journalist, author, and podcaster
- Amanda Camm - Queensland Parliament MP
- Matthew Condon - Award-winning journalist, writer, and podcaster
- Karen Jacobsen - International speaker, author, musician, and songwriter
- Steve Minin - Award-winning author
Ticket options for the 2025 Whitsunday Writers Festival
Time is running out to secure your place at the 2025 Whitsunday Writers Festival! You can book your place online and get excited for a weekend of thought-provoking classes, lectures, and activities. Here are the different options available for tickets.
Love Letter To Queensland
- $85 per person
- Friday 12 September
- Starts at 5:45pm
The Love Letter to Queensland event features keynote speaker Dr Anita Heiss and several other speakers who will discuss their personal connections to Queensland. WWF President Karen Jacobsen will also perform a special song. Your ticket includes a welcome drink and canapes as well!
Pre-Event Memoir Writing Workshop
- Morning Session
- $65 per person
- Friday 12 September
- 9am - 12pm
- Afternoon Session
- $65 per person
- Friday 12 September
- 1pm - 4pm
For an extra boost of knowledge before the main event on Friday 12 September, sign up for a morning or afternoon memoir writing session with Dr Lindsay Simpson! Based in the Whitsundays, Simpson is an award-winning author who has written 11 books. She is also an investigative journalist and is the founder/coordinator of various programs at James Cook University in Queensland.
4 Night Writing Intensive
- $2500 per person
- 8-12 September
Leading up to the main event at the Whitsunday Writers Festival, aspiring writers can join an intensive workshop with Dr Lindsay Simpson. Spend 4 nights at the luxury Yangaro Resort in Airlie Beach. When you're not relaxing amongst the tropical serenity here, join immersive writing experiences and workshops to hone your skills and take your writing to the next level.
4 Night Writing Intensive + Love Letter to Queensland + VIP
- $2585 per person
- 8-12 September
Book this ultimate package to make the most out of Whitsunday Writers Festival! Including the 4-night writing workshop at Yangaro Resort and entry to the Love Letter to Queensland event, you can spend the week immersed in the rich writing culture of Queensland. You will also get VIP access at the Love Letter to Queensland event, which includes the best front-row seats for the event.
Planning your stay in the Whitsundays
If you're coming to the Whitsunday Writers Festival from out of town, you have plenty of options for accommodation in the Airlie Beach area. There are apartment rentals, luxury resorts, cosy guesthouses, budget hostels, caravan parks, and everything in between.
Stay somewhere in downtown Airlie Beach so you can be within walking distance of the Whitsunday Sailing Club and other local attractions. Or you can find quieter accommodation away from the town centre and hire a car or take taxis and Ubers to get around. Airlie Beach is a tourist-friendly town suitable for all ages!
Explore the Whitsundays with these tours and activities!
