Stories by the Sea: Don’t Miss the Festival’s Free Community Finale
The 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival wraps up with just 90 minutes of free, by-the-water celebration on Sunday 13 September and once Stories by the Sea packs up at 4.30pm, it’s gone for another year.
From 3pm to 4.30pm at the Whitsunday Marine Club, the whole community — readers, writers, families, and anyone who just wants a good afternoon out — is invited to meet regional authors, swap books, hear live readings, browse local art as it’s created, and settle in by the water. No ticket, no cost, no booking required.
“Stories by the Sea is our way of making sure the whole community gets to be part of the festival, not just the people who bought a ticket,” said Festival President and Director Richard Evans. “It’s free, it’s relaxed, and it only happens once a year. If you’ve never been, this is the year to come and see what it’s about.”
A little something for everyone, but only for 90 minutes
- 20+ regional authors and book stalls — Meet the people behind the books, chat, buy and get copies signed.
- Author readings and informal interviews running throughout the afternoon.
- Community Book Swap — Bring two books in good condition and swap for something new (arrive early for the best pick before the good ones go!).
- Blind Date with a Book — A wrapped read, unwrapped only after you commit.
- Whitsunday Regional Council Libraries activities for kids, plus children’s storytime.
- Music by the water
- Creative Connections Whitsunday Plein Air Art Challenge — Watch local artists create original Whitsundays-inspired works in real time.
- Pen Pal activity, raffles and prize giveaways.
- Gold coin BBQ sausage sizzle, coffee van, cake cart, and cash bar.
Watch the art come to life: then vote before it’s gone
The Plein Air Art Challenge runs for the length of the afternoon, with artists building their works live as the crowd watches.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award closes at 4pm sharp, so latecomers may miss their chance to have a say.
A silent auction operates on each work so ensure you bid for the work you want, with 100% of sales going directly to the artists. Another reason not to leave it too late.
Bring a rug. Stay a while. But don’t leave it too late.
There’s no programme to rush through once you’re there, but the afternoon itself is short and free, which means it’s also popular.
Bring a picnic rug, grab a coffee or a sausage, swap a couple of books, catch some live readings and music, and make the most of the last few hours of this year’s festival.
Come for the stories. Stay for the afternoon.
But get there early. Stories by the Sea runs for one afternoon only, and once 4.30pm hits, that’s a wrap until 2027.
Festival Details
What: Whitsundays Writers Festival’s Stories by the Sea
When: 3pm-4:30pm Sunday 13 September 2026
Where: Whitsunday Marine Club, Cannonvale