THANK YOU TO OUR FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Island Storytellers Festival is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Thank you to everyone who came along to the 2026 festival, please follow us on Facebook to stay in touch and hear about future literary events in the Bay Islands!
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Island Storytellers Festival
Ngudjuru, Coochiemudlo, Minjerribah 3-5 October 2026 Imagine a literary festival where the venue doesn't sit still—it sails.
This October long weekend (3–5 October 2026), the Island Storytellers Festival is transforming the southern Moreton Bay Archipelago into a travelling celebration of words, music, and history, backed by federal funding from Creative Australia. Artistic Director Susan Ward sees the festival as a powerful catalyst for communication and community across our beautiful archipelago. By taking the event onto the water, the festival connects the islands, weaving together local voices, shared histories, and world-class talent.
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Here's a snapshot of this year’s programme:
Based at Ngudjuru (Lamb Island) in beautiful Quandamooka country, this three-day literary journey celebrates the stories that define us.
- A Floating Festival Hub: The heartbeat of the weekend is Sealink’s MV Kurrowera, hosting live sessions as it cruises between Ngudjuru/Lamb Island, Coochiemudlo, and Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island. There are still tickets available for the MV Kurrowera on October 3rd and 4th. People can build their own adventure and explore the islands. It's the last weekend of the school holidays too so it would be a fun way to entertain the kids. Departing from Lamb Island Jetty, MV Kurrowera will be making three circuits of the bay each day. People can choose where and when to hop on and off when they purchase their tickets, and can spend time at Coochiemudlo or Minjerribah/Straddie, or just stay on board and listen to the storytellers.
- Star-Studded Headliners: Bestselling crime novelist Chris Hammer will launch his latest book, Full Circle, out on the waters of the bay, and will appear In Conversation with the distinguished & feisty Jane Caro discussing how they craft their thrillers at The Thrills & Chills of Aussie Noir. Nova Weetman, Emily Gale, Sarah Thornton, Heather Taylor-Johnson, Rachael Mead and Jane Caro will tell us what inspires them at Look What You Made Me Do.
- Immersive Masterclasses: Attendees can Create an Opera in an Afternoon & Perform it! with Dr Anna Reid (Sydney Conservatorium of Music)
- Join a professional development writers' workshop Paragraphics?: The prose poem, lyric essay & hybridity - with internationally renowned author Heather Taylor-Johnson.
- Write a story in a song in an hour at Nicole Murray's workshop
- High-Octane Youth Events: Teens who have read The Elsewhere Girls can score exclusive entry onto the Redland Bay Marine Rescue’s state-of-the-art vessel Talbot to meet the co-authors. This event is SOLD OUT
- Untold Histories: Passengers on the MV Kurrowera will experience deep-dive history sessions, including a powerful look at the history of South Sea Islanders enslaved on Macleay Island led by Oral History Queensland President, Elizabeth Gondwe.
- WWII Aloft & Underground with three eminent world war II historians, Troy L White, Hank Van Iersal and Anthony Cooper in conversation - Service 2 on MV Kurrowera Saturday 3rd October.
- Industry Fast-Tracks: Aspiring authors can pitch finished manuscripts directly to the University of Queensland Press (UQP)
- Festival bookshop Books @ Stones will have a pop up bookshop with books available for author signings.
Based at Ngudjuru (Lamb Island) in beautiful Quandamooka country, this three-day literary journey celebrates the stories that define us.
About Island Storytellers
Island Storytellers is an entertaining and educational festival that brings together the Quandamooka community of southern Moreton Bay and visitors to the region to participate in storytelling events for all ages.
The festival creates opportunities for local writers to meet other professionals for an exchange of ideas and inspiration and events which celebrate our archipelago’s natural beauty.
With storytelling in community gardens, historical buildings and on boats in the bay, the festival brings people together to celebrate a love of stories and thoughtful, environmentally aware slow tourism.
The festival creates opportunities for local writers to meet other professionals for an exchange of ideas and inspiration and events which celebrate our archipelago’s natural beauty.
With storytelling in community gardens, historical buildings and on boats in the bay, the festival brings people together to celebrate a love of stories and thoughtful, environmentally aware slow tourism.
Island Storytellers Festival welcomes Books@Stones as our festival bookshop in 2026!
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Choose your own Adventure on MV Kurrowera!Select from two days of onboard entertainment as you travel around southern Moreton Bay.
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Getting to Lamb IslandIsland Storytellers Writers & Readers Festival takes place on Quandamooka Country at the historic Pioneer Hall on Ngudjuru - Lamb Island, and on the waters of southern Moreton Bay.
There is a frequent local ferry service to the islands from Redland Bay Marina, all fares are 50c. The ferries do a circuit which includes Karragarra, Macleay, Lamb & Russell Islands. As well as a regular mainland bus service to Redland Bay there are carparks at the Marina if you prefer to drive, although you must arrive early to find a spot. |
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If you enjoy a good yarn, come along to the festival!
All of our island venues have access ramps. Some of our water based events are easily accessed and others such as sailing ships require certain levels of agility, such as the ability to climb a ladder. Please look at the ticket descriptions to find the right events for you and contact us if you have specific needs/questions. |
Beautiful Boats on the Bay
One of the lovely things about the festival is getting out on the waters of southern Moreton Bay
here are some of the beautiful boats we have had at festivals over the years.
here are some of the beautiful boats we have had at festivals over the years.
Explore the Bay Islands during the 2026 festival on SeaLink's ferry, MV Kurrowera!
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Teenage Speedboat Bookclub is on the Redland Coast Guard 's Talbot.
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Bay Cruiser Lady Caroline is based in the Bay Islands and is available to island residents for day trips.
South Passage
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Hi Viz Marine Services, providing transport and tendering to larger vessels.
Lady Brisbane
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