Western Port Writes FAQs
When is the festival taking place?
Western Port Writes Literary Festival (WPW2026) runs over the weekend of Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October 2026. The Opening Night is Friday 9 October 2026.
In the lead up to the festival there are Writing Workshops on Saturday 19 September.
Where is the festival being held?
The festival is being held on the Mornington Peninsula, in the Western Port Bay region. Festival sessions are at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead in Somers (Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Oct). Opening Night is at The Somers General in Somers (Friday 9 Oct); and Writing Workshops are at the Hastings Community Hub in Hastings (Saturday 19 Sept). Review the Festival Program for maps and venue details.
Where can I view the 2026 Festival Program?
You can download a digital copy of the festival here. Festival days and sessions are also listed on the 2026 Program section of this website.
Where can I find a printed program?
You can find free printed programs at Somers General Store, Tulum Store Balnarring, Petersens Bookstore, Farrells Bookshop, Flinders General Store, Community Bank Balnarring, Hastings Library, Somerville Library, Mornington Library and selected other places.
Which writers and presenters are attending the festival?
We have invited emerging and established, fiction and nonfiction writers, commentators, creatives and presenters to join the festival. Our theme is What’s the Narrative? and it seeks to delve into what’s the driving the stories that authors have created. Participating writers come from the Western Port region, the broader Mornington Peninsula and beyond.
Where can I find details of the festival writers and presenters?
There is a full list of participating writers and presenters, and individual bios, on our website.
Can I buy books at the festival?
Yes, books will be for sale at each festival venue and authors will be signing books. Our official festival bookseller is Petersen’s Bookstore, Hastings.
TICKETING
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets will go on sale to the public from Monday 10 August 2026. Subscribers will receive access to tickets from Monday 3 August 2026. You must subscribe by Sunday 2 August 2026 to receive early access.
How do I purchase festival tickets?
You can purchase tickets from Trybooking via the festival website. Simply go to the Book Tickets tab. You will be taken to festival events to purchase individual tickets; day passes; and tickets to special events. [link]
Can I buy tickets at the festival?
Yes, you can purchase tickets at the festival box office on each festival day, if events are not sold out. Payment by cash or card.
Do I need to present my ticket on the day?
Yes, you will need to present a digital or paper ticket to enter each session. Concessional ticket holders will also need to present proof of eligibility.
What is the cost of tickets?
We’d like as many people as possible to attend and enjoy the festival weekend. There are various ticket prices and levels for sessions and events. These include day passes, single tickets, children’s tickets, special event tickets, concessional tickets.
Are concession tickets available?
Yes. Concessional tickets are available for fulltime students and concession card holders (Health Care Card or Pension Cards only). Proof of eligibility is required, and valid cards must be presented on entry. There are NO senior’s discounts.
Is there senior’s pricing or discounts?
There are no senior’s discounts. Concessional tickets are available for holders of valid cards.
Are day passes available?
Yes. A limited number of day passes are available for Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Oct, until sold. The day passes include access to all sessions each day. Day passes exclude access to Children’s events (Sunday 11 Oct), the Friday Night Opening event (9 Oct) and Writing Workshops (19 Sept). Tickets for these must be booked separately.
Are there any free events?
The Children’s session* is free to attend, but ticketed. This means you must book a ticket and present your ticket on entry.
* Children’s session at Coolart on Sunday 11 October from 12.30 to 1.30pm. Free for children under 12. Booking is required.
Children’s activities* in the Coolart Garden are also free to attend. No booking required.
* Children’s activity with Faery Emily in the Coolart Garden on Sunday 11 October from 11am to 12pm. No booking required.
Are there any special events?
We think the whole festival is special, but here are some program highlights.
Opening Night Event: Friday 9 October, 6pm to 8.30pm
Join us as we celebrate the launch of the 2026 Western Port Writes Literary Festival with a special Two of Us Conversation between acclaimed investigative journalist Nick McKenzie and his former editor, and first female editor of The Age, Gay Alcorn. Enjoy a relaxed evening with light fare of grazing platters and bowl food. Drinks available for purchase. Limited tickets available.
The Somers General, Friday 9 October, 6pm to 8.30pm ($60 per ticket)
State of the Nation Panel and Q&A: Saturday 10 October, 3pm to 4.30pm
Join us in this state election year for an in-depth discussion on the forces reshaping Australian politics. Our panel of expert analysts includes Sumeyya Ilanbey (The Age), Tony Barry (Redbridge Consulting) and Paul Strangio (Monash University). The panel is chaired by Gay Alcorn. Following the panel discussion is an extended audience Q&A with these in-touch commentators.
Coolart Observatory, Saturday 10 October, 3pm to 4.30pm ($30 per ticket)
Epilogue and Postscript. Saturday 10 & Sunday 11, at day’s end
Following the last session each day, we invite you to join us as we wind down and review the daily highlights.
Coolart Barracks, Saturday 4.45pm and Sunday 4.15pm
Can I get a refund if I am unable to attend?
Please see our Terms and Conditions for ticketing information. [Link to T&Cs]
How do I buy tickets?
You can buy tickets to all sessions and events via the festival website until they are sold out. If your preferred event is sold out, you can join a Wait List. [Link to Book Tickets and listing once live). From the Western Port Writes website:
- Click on the event you’d like to book – you will be taken to Trybooking
- Enter the number of tickets you need at each pricing level
- Click on Next and enter your details
- At the Checkout screen enter your Booking and Payment details
- If you would like to book more tickets for the same event, click Buy More Tickets
- If you would like to view/book other Festival events, click Find Other Events
- When you are ready to finalise your order, agree to Terms & Conditions, and click Purchase
- Your tickets will be sent to your nominated email address once the booking is completed. If you do not see an email, please check spam.
What if I lose my ticket?
To request a copy of lost tickets, please email: hello@westernportwrites.com.au
Is there a Booking Fee?
A booking fee of $0.50c is added to each ticket. This is a Trybooking fee, it is not levied by or passed on to Western Port Writes.
Where is the festival being held?
The festival is being held at different venues from Friday 9 October to Sunday 11 October. Here are the venue details:
Friday Opening Night: The Somers General, 2 The Boulevard Somers
Saturday Sessions: Coolart Wetland and Homestead, 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers
Coolart Observatory (Panels and conversations)
Coolart Homestead (Book sales and book signings)
Sunday Sessions: Coolart Wetland and Homestead, 40 Lord Somers Rd, Somers
Coolart Observatory (Panels and conversations)
Coolart Homestead (Book sales and book signings)
Coolart Visitor Centre (Children’s session)
Coolart Garden (Faery Emily)
Where are the writing workshops being held?
Two workshops are running on Saturday 19 September at Hastings Community Hub, 1973 Frankston-Flinders Rd Hastings.
Are venues accessible for wheels or mobility aids?
Venues are generally accessible, see details below. Please let us know if you need assistance on the day.
Coolart Wetlands and Homestead Estate. Accessible. Wheelchair-friendly toilet. Limited disabled parking spaces are available. Here are more details.[Link to PV site:
https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/all-abilities-access/park-accessibility-information/coolart-wetlands-and-homestead-accessibility ]
Coolart Observatory. Access via stairs or a firm, gently sloping gravel path.
Coolart Homestead. Access to Homestead via small step – ramps available.
The Somers General. Accessible. Limited disabled parking spaces available in car park opposite store and accessible entry at side of store.
Hastings Community Hub. Wheelchair accessible.
Is there car parking on site?
There is free car parking on site at each venue. Street parking is available if car parks are full.
Can I purchase food and drinks at the festival?
There are no food shops at or near Coolart Wetlands and Homestead. You can pre-order and pre-pay for Lunch Boxes in the lead-up to the festival. There will be a coffee van selling drinks onsite at Coolart Homestead on Saturday and Sunday.
Coolart has picnic facilities and barbecues to use, if you would like to bring your own food.
Please contact us at: hello@westernportwrites.com.au
