Imagine a literary festival where the venue doesn’t sit still—it sails.
This October long weekend (3–5 October 2026), the Island Storytellers Festival is once again transforming the southern Moreton Bay Archipelago into a travelling celebration of words, music, and history, backed by federal funding from Creative Australia.
Artistic Director Susan Ward envisions the festival as a powerful catalyst for communication and community across the beautiful archipelago. By taking the event onto the water, the festival connects the islands in a way that is usually impossible, weaving together local voices, shared histories, and world-class talent.
Programme highlights
A Floating Festival Hub: The heartbeat of the weekend is Sealink’s MV Kurrowera, hosting live sessions as it cruises between the festival precinct on Lamb Island (Ngudjuru), Coochiemudlo, and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
Star-Studded Headliners: Bestselling crime novelist Chris Hammer will launch his latest book, Full Circle, out on the waters of the bay, and will appear in conversation with the distinguished and feisty Jane Caro discussing how they craft their thrillers at The Thrills & Chills of Aussie Noir.
Nova Weetman, Emily Gale, Sarah Thornton, Heather Taylor-Johnson, Rachael Mead and Jane Caro will tell us what inspires them at Look What You Made Me Do.
Immersive Masterclasses: Attendees can Create an Opera in an Afternoon & Perform It! with Dr Anna Reid, head of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, or join a professional development writers’ workshop with renowned author Heather Taylor-Johnson.
High-Octane Youth Events: Teens who have read The Elsewhere Girls can score exclusive entry onto the Redland Bay Marine Rescue’s state-of-the-art vessel Talbot to meet the co-authors.
Untold Histories: Attendees who choose to explore the bay on Kurrowera on 4 October can hear from Elizabeth Gondwe, President of Oral History Queensland, about the confronting history of South Sea Islanders pressed into slavery on Macleay Island.
Industry Fast-Tracks: Authors can pitch finished manuscripts directly to the University of Queensland Press (UQP). Festival bookshop Books @ Stones will have books available for author signings.
Based at Ngudjuru (Lamb Island) in beautiful Quandamooka country, this three-day literary journey celebrates the stories that define us.
Susan Ward, Artistic Director, and author Chris Hammer are available for interviews.
For more information, visit www.islandstorytellersfestival.com.
