Whitsundays Writers Festival Launches Poetry Challenge for World Poetry Day

To celebrate World Poetry Day, the Whitsundays Writers Festival is inviting poets of all levels to take part in a special Stanza Bonanza competition – a creative opportunity to capture the rhythm, beauty, and spirit of the region through verse.

Writers are encouraged to submit an original poem of up to 20 lines, inspired by the prompt:

A Whitsundays postcard from 100 years ago, or 100 years from now.

The competition is open now and closes at 11:59pm on Friday 3 April 2026. Entries must be submitted online via the festival website.

The winning poet will receive a $100 cash prize, along with a free day pass to the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, to be held on Sunday 13 September – an opportunity to connect with fellow writers, readers, and literary voices from across the region.

Festival Director, Richard Evans, says the challenge is designed to be both accessible and inspiring.

“This is about celebrating the power of poetry in a place as evocative as the Whitsundays,” he said. “We’re excited to see how poets interpret the prompt and bring the landscape, emotion, and imagination of the region to life.”

Aspiring entrants are encouraged to experiment with form, language, and imagery, and to let the Whitsundays inspire their work.

Entries are now open. Free to enter and you can enter as many times as you like.