Western Port Writes Literary Festival
The 2026 Western Port Writes Literary Festival opens on Friday 9 October and runs to Sunday 11 October. The festival is based at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead in Somers on the Mornington Peninsula. The program includes author panels, in-conversations, children's activities and special events. A talented lineup of authors and writers, thinkers and commentators, tellers and keepers of stories will be joining us. We hope you can too.
A Conversation with Kate Legge
Sunday 30 August 2026 2:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneTogether with our friends at Shoreham Community Association, we’re delighted to welcome you to a special afternoon of words and food. Take a seat
About
Together with our friends at Shoreham Community Association, we’re delighted to welcome you to a special afternoon of words and food. Take a seat
Writing Workshops Day Pass
Saturday 19 September 2026 10:55 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneTwo workshops to enhance your writing: The Craft of Short Stories with Melissa Manning; and Writing Romance with Ali Berg and Melissa Kalus.
About
Two workshops to enhance your writing: The Craft of Short Stories with Melissa Manning; and Writing Romance with Ali Berg and Melissa Kalus.
Writing Workshop: The Craft of Short Stories
Saturday 19 September 2026 11:00 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneThere’s an art to creating a compelling short story. Join award-winning writer Melissa Manning to discover the elements of an engaging story.
About
There’s an art to creating a compelling short story. Join award-winning writer Melissa Manning to discover the elements of an engaging story.
Writing Workshop: Writing Romance
Saturday 19 September 2026 1:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneDo you dream of writing romance? Join Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus and hear their tips on how to craft authentic romance stories.
About
Do you dream of writing romance? Join Ali Berg and Michelle Kalus and hear their tips on how to craft authentic romance stories.
WPW26 Opening Night: The Two of Us
Friday 9 October 2026 6:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneCelebrate with us as we launch WPW26. Hear Gay Alcorn and Nick McKenzie in a fascinating conversation at The Somers General.
About
Celebrate with us as we launch WPW26. Hear Gay Alcorn and Nick McKenzie in a fascinating conversation at The Somers General.
WPW26: Saturday Day Pass
Saturday 10 October 2026 9:30 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneThe Saturday Day pass includes Festival Opening and Welcome to Country, and four sessions across the day. Then join us after for sunset wind down.
About
The Saturday Day pass includes Festival Opening and Welcome to Country, and four sessions across the day. Then join us after for sunset wind down.
WPW26: When Nature Speaks / Welcome to Country
Saturday 10 October 2026 9:45 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneFestival Opening & Welcome to Country with Jillian West, at 9.45am. When Nature Speaks from 10am to 11am. Please be seated by 9.45am.
About
Festival Opening & Welcome to Country with Jillian West, at 9.45am. When Nature Speaks from 10am to 11am. Please be seated by 9.45am.
WPW26: The Wisdom of Gardens
Saturday 10 October 2026 11:30 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneThis session explores the many ways gardens nourish, connect, heal and bring us joy. With Jac Semmler, Caroline Parker and Michael McCoy.
About
This session explores the many ways gardens nourish, connect, heal and bring us joy. With Jac Semmler, Caroline Parker and Michael McCoy.
WPW26: Saturday Lunch Box
Saturday 10 October 2026 12:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbournePre-order and prepay your Festival Lunch box. Lunch box bookings open in September.
About
Pre-order and prepay your Festival Lunch box. Lunch box bookings open in September.
WPW26: Our Duet
Saturday 10 October 2026 1:30 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneFrom different beginnings to a shared life, Sami Shah and Kylie Moore-Gilbert reflect on the journey that has shaped them. With Belinda Hawkins.
About
From different beginnings to a shared life, Sami Shah and Kylie Moore-Gilbert reflect on the journey that has shaped them. With Belinda Hawkins.
WPW26: A Nation at the Crossroads
Saturday 10 October 2026 3:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneIn election year, our expert analysts look at the forces reshaping Australian politics. Sumeyya Ilanbey, Tony Barry and Paul Strangio with Gay Alcorn.
About
In election year, our expert analysts look at the forces reshaping Australian politics. Sumeyya Ilanbey, Tony Barry and Paul Strangio with Gay Alcorn.
WPW26: Sunday Day Pass
Sunday 11 October 2026 9:00 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneSunday Day Pass. Includes four sessions across the day (excludes children's panel). Then join us as we celebrate and thank our festival supporters.
About
Sunday Day Pass. Includes four sessions across the day (excludes children's panel). Then join us as we celebrate and thank our festival supporters.
WPW 26: The Scene of the Crime
Sunday 11 October 2026 10:00 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneThe scene of the crime is more than a distinctive backdrop. Victoria Brownlee, Mate Antolos and Garry Disher chat crime and place with Irma Gold.
About
The scene of the crime is more than a distinctive backdrop. Victoria Brownlee, Mate Antolos and Garry Disher chat crime and place with Irma Gold.
WPW26: The Ages of Women
Sunday 11 October 2026 11:30 AM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneJacinta Parsons chats with Kate Legge, Kate Mildenhall, and Lisa Moule on writing about women across generations, life stages and gear changes.
About
Jacinta Parsons chats with Kate Legge, Kate Mildenhall, and Lisa Moule on writing about women across generations, life stages and gear changes.
WPW26: Sunday Lunch Box
Sunday 11 October 2026 12:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbournePre-order and prepay your Festival Lunch box. Lunch box bookings open in September.
About
Pre-order and prepay your Festival Lunch box. Lunch box bookings open in September.
Children's Session: Wild Child, Wander and Wonder
Sunday 11 October 2026 12:30 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneChildren are invited to meet three favourite authors! Andrea Rowe, Toni D'Alia and Sheila Knaggs introduce their latest books.
About
Children are invited to meet three favourite authors! Andrea Rowe, Toni D'Alia and Sheila Knaggs introduce their latest books.
WPW26: First Knowledges
Sunday 11 October 2026 1:30 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneTyson Yunkaporta and Claire G. Coleman talk to Shelley Ware on how Indigenous knowledge can inform Western knowledge in this rapidly changing world.
About
Tyson Yunkaporta and Claire G. Coleman talk to Shelley Ware on how Indigenous knowledge can inform Western knowledge in this rapidly changing world.
WPW26: What's the Narrative?
Sunday 11 October 2026 3:00 PM (UTC+10) Australia/MelbourneMelissa Manning, Claire Thomas and Michael Winkler discuss ‘what’s driving the narrative’ in their distinctive novels, with moderator Angela Savage.
About
Melissa Manning, Claire Thomas and Michael Winkler discuss ‘what’s driving the narrative’ in their distinctive novels, with moderator Angela Savage.