Sunshine Coast International Readers and Writers Festival

The Sunshine Coast International Readers and Writers Festival Inc embraces two main themes: To celebrate our Sunshine Coast region’s rich Aboriginal heritage, South Sea Islander heritage and our acclaimed surfing culture layered over our rich literary and songwriting talent.

The festival brings together regional, Australian and international writers (including journalists, photographers, poets, performers and musicians) on a world stage – creating a space for conversation and connection across cultural and geographic divides. Both our themes wrap around our deep concern for safeguarding our natural environment – the hinterland, our rivers, beaches and ocean.

Our festival provides a platform to educate festival-goers about our region's rich Aboriginal heritage, the Gubbi Gubbi history, language and Dreamtime stories and to recognise the rich heritage and vibrant culture of our South Sea Islander pioneering families. They are the descendants of South Sea Islanders brought to Queensland from 1863 to 1904 from 80 Melanesian islands to work the state's cotton and sugar plantations.

Our Sunshine Coast lifestyle is marked by our hinterland, beach and surfing culture which has inspired many writers to produce books, songs, poems and artworks celebrating such a creative landscape. Many creatives have chosen to make the Sunshine Coast their home for exactly this reason. This festival provides a platform to bring these creative works together as one diverse expression.