Brisbane Writers Festival

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Arts & CultureBrisbane
DatesDates TBA · Usually OctoberCheck locally before booking
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's setting within the State
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: AUD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Brisbane Writers Festival in Brisbane

A multi-day literary festival held each May at the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane's South Bank precinct, featuring Australian and international authors across panels, interviews, and workshops. Many sessions are free, with programming spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and current affairs alongside dedicated youth and schools content.

Brisbane Writers Festival gathers Australian and international authors, journalists, and thinkers at the State Library of Queensland's South Bank precinct each May, running a multi-day program of panels, interviews, and workshops that has grown into one of Australia's significant literary events.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's setting within the State Library of Queensland's South Bank precinct gives it a genuinely appealing riverside cultural cluster to work within, letting visitors easily combine literary sessions with South Bank's parklands, galleries, and dining

02

The mystery stays covered

Its strong recent emphasis on First Nations voices and diverse Australian storytelling reflects Brisbane's growth as a serious literary city in its own right

03

The city starts moving

With many core sessions free to attend, the festival is notably accessible compared with larger, more commercially ticketed literary events elsewhere in the country

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's strong focus on First Nations voices and youth and schools programming has become an established and recurring feature of its recent editions

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually October

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Dress smart-casual and comfortably for a day moving between indoor sessions and South Bank's outdoor spaces, with light layers suited to Brisbane's mild, dry autumn weather in May...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Brisbane you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

AUD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.47 S, 153.03 EOpen in Google Maps

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Nearest airportBNE — Brisbane
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Brisbane you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Brisbane via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Brisbane, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearDress smart-casual and comfortably for a day moving between indoor sessions and South Bank's outdoor spaces, with light layers suited to Brisbane's mild, dry autumn weather in May. Comfortable shoes are useful given the walking involved across the precinct.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Australia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Brisbane Writers Festival?

Brisbane Writers Festival is listed for Past edition: 9–12 October 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Brisbane Writers Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Brisbane, Australia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbwf.org.au
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually October
Source statusOfficial source linked
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