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.
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WPW 26: The Scene of the Crime

Sunday 11 October 2026 10:00 AM (UTC+11) Australia/Melbourne

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.

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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.

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead: The Observatory 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers, VIC, 3927
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WPW26: The Ages of Women

Sunday 11 October 2026 11:30 AM (UTC+11) Australia/Melbourne

Jacinta 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.

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead: The Observatory 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers, VIC, 3927
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Children's Session: Wild Child, Wander and Wonder

Sunday 11 October 2026 12:30 PM (UTC+11) Australia/Melbourne

Children 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.

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead: Visitor Centre 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers, VIC, 3927
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WPW26: First Knowledges

Sunday 11 October 2026 1:30 PM (UTC+11) Australia/Melbourne

Tyson 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.

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead: The Observatory 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers, VIC, 3927
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WPW26: What's the Narrative?

Sunday 11 October 2026 3:00 PM (UTC+11) Australia/Melbourne

Melissa 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.

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead: The Observatory 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers, VIC, 3927
Book Now