2026 Festival Schedule
ALL sessions are FREE (excluding social events, lunch and dinner).
We are by no means a huge event, but bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Here at the Outback Writers Festival you can get truly up close and personal.
Purchase a Gold Pass ($45) to show your support for the Festival.
You will be issued with a locally made lanyard on arrival to wear with pride.
All writers attending the festival are invited to bring some product for sale, a SMALL table and chair, to be included at the Meet the Author session.
All sessions at Waltzing Matilda Centre unless otherwise stated.
All sessions will also include the process of writing, publishing and marketing and a question time where possible.
Tuesday 23rd June
Venue: To Be Confirmed
3-5pm
Meet The Authors / Book Fair
Enjoy a casual gathering with the authors
7:30-9:30pm
Book Launch
Fae le Friz
“Four Dee Love of Bread”
Includes a light supper, featuring food from local bakery.
Give aways and competitions, plus RFDS raffle tickets on sale
Wednesday 24th June
Venue: Sarah Riley Theatre
9:30-9:45am
Official Opening
Mayor Cathy White
9:45-10:45am
Book Launch
Jeff Close
“Tales from Winton’s Past”
Memories of Winton and a 2026 Snapshot
This is an Outback Writers Festival Inc project to
help record and share Winton history.
Featuring Q&A with contributors + guests from the book.
10:45-11:30am
Smoko
FREE Morning tea in honour of Winton’s ‘60’s and Better’ at Sarah Riley Theatrette.
9:45-10:45am
Book Launch
Kerry Yates
“Barcy Galah – Comin’ Home
Where the Min Min Lights Dance”
12:30-1:30pm
Lunch
$$
Available for purchase at the Tuckerbox Café
9:45-10:45am
Book Launch
Simone Skinner-Smith
“Passenger Princess”
2:30 – 3:30pm
Session
Vanessa Alexander
Writing Motivation
Vanessa is the author of a number of children’s books
3:30-4:30pm
OWF Annual General Meeting
AGM of Outback Writers Festival Inc and suggestions session
6 for 7-9pm
Festival Dinner
$55 pp | Venue: Tuckerbox Café
Winning entries in the short story and the 150 words competitions announced.
Presentation of the 2026 President’s Award.
Drawing of the RFDS raffle.
BYO Drinks.
Thursday 25th June
Venue: Sarah Riley Theatre
9:30-10:30am
Book Launch
Maura Luxford
“One White Post at a Time“
10:30-11:30am
Smoko
$$
Morning Tea available for purchase at the Tuckerbox Café
11:30-12:30pm
Book Talk
Narelle Fernance
“To Those That Wait“
12:30-1:30pm
Lunch
$$
Available for purchase at the Tuckerbox Café
1:30-2:30pm
Book Talk
Lachlan Terry
“Memories Belonga Me”
2:30 – 3:30pm
Session
Stephen Marland
Printing & Publishing
An insight into printing and publishing in Queensland with Stephen Marland from Boolarong Press.
5pm-
Social Activity
$75pp
Meet at the Waltzing Matilda Centre for our bus excursion to the Age of Dinosaurs with Red Dirt Tours.
A tour, drinks, nibbles and transport are all part of this experience.
Friday 26th June
Venue: Sarah Riley Theatre
9:30-10:30am
Tim Borthwick Memorial Session
Greg North
A Voice for Verse
Rhyming Verse by three times Australian Performing Poet, Greg North
10:30-11:30am
Smoko
$$
Morning Tea available for purchase at the Tuckerbox Café
11:30-12:30pm
Panel Discussion
With Narelle Fernance, Sophie Elliott
Panel discussion with question time, comments and suggestions
Winton’s Next Festival ..
Not part of the Outback Writers Festival, but if you’re in town you should check them out…
The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival
Friday 26th June to Saturday to Sunday 5th July 2026
