It is an enormous pleasure to bring an outstanding lineup of writers, thinkers, and storytellers to the Queenscliffe Literary Festival 2026. 

In our opening weekend we’ll feature George Georgievski (aka the Lunchbox Dad), former NSW Premier Bob Carr, food icon Stephanie Alexander, Stella Prize winner Michelle De Kretser, veteran journalist Lisa Wilkinson, acclaimed ballet dancer Li Cunxin, founder of Deepcut news Antoun Issa, and many more.

By weekend two, it’s time for conversations with master interviewer Shaun Micallef, comedy legend Judith Lucy, crime writer Chris Hammer, memoirist Lorin Clarke, and the enduring Kaz Cooke. The festival will end on a high with an interactive session for all ages from the energetic Australian Children’s Laureate Andy Griffiths.

We’ve got panels to challenge the status quo and stagnant thinking, tackling the big issues and cultural controversies:

• With the Victorian State Election approaching, When Extremes Go Mainstream asks: is it time to declare the two-party system dead? This is a robust discussion about Australia's changing political landscape, featuring Bob Carr, journalist Antoun Issa, populism expert Dr Imogen Richards, and others. Presented in partnership with the Peter Blazey Fellowship.
   
• Can a 21st-century work really be a classic? In this fierce debate, authors Lisa Wilkinson, Michelle de Kretser, Moreno Giovannoni and Maria Takolander champion a favourite Australian or international work. Expect outrageous opinions and plenty of bookish banter in What a Classic!
   
• The subject matter is clear in Provocations: Has Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children Worked? where panelists Virginia Trioli, Dr Lelia Green, and Dr Lisa Given will determine if the ban is working, and what’s in it for countries looking to this Australian-first policy. Presented in partnership with RMIT University.

Queenscliffe Literary Festival is also delighted to feature STELLA: A New Australian Musical–a night with the artists by Monique diMattina, detailing the life of writer and feminist Stella Miles Franklin. In this special concert delivered in collaboration with the Queenscliff Music Festival, cast and band members share selected songs and stories from the musical that premiered this year. 

There are free events including the Book Doof, a community reading session under a live ambient DJ set, a Book Swap, where you simply bring a book and appetite to meet new people, and a community sing-a-long to ring in your Sunday led by maestro Monique diMattina. 

Tickets on sale from Thursday 10 September, 8pm.