Island Storytellers

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 for 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.

Highlights at this year's festival include:

Author Anita Heiss in conversation with Quandamooka woman and cultural icon Avril Quaill.
Special guests for Meet the Author Book Club - Debra Dank, Melanie Myers and Michelle Upton
A star studded session of women in literature including Melissa Lucashenko and Mirandi Riwoe.
Picnic Storytime with the Redland City Library featuring Lamb Island author Sheryl Marks
A pop-up opera workshop and performance at Lamb Island's natural lawn amphitheatre with the head of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Dr Anna Reid.
Writing Biography with Dr Deb Jordan, Troy White, Adrian Hellwig and Dan Griffiths.
Whodunnit on the Bay - Mystery writers on the South Passage with Dr Karen Thurecht, Melanie Myers and Donna M Cameron.
A variety of interesting workshops for writers at all stages of development with Karen Throssel, Mel Archer, Kay McInnes and Sharon Jewell.

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Beautiful Boats on the Bay

Check out the programme and sail away on one or all of these boats during the festival!

This year our events on the bay include:

A two night sailing adventure on the tall ship South Passage including stories from Quandamooka with Avril Quaill and stargazing in the dark skies of the bay with the eminent Astronomer Professor Duane Hamacher. South Passage is also the venue for Floating Book Club, Sea Shanty Singalong and Whodunnit on the Bay with local mystery writers. Suitable for ages 14+.
A Spring Cornucopia Luncheon cruise with some very special literary guests on the MV Lady Brisbane, in conjunction with Writers on Water and supported by sponsors Sirromet and 8th Sense Kitchen.
Teenage Speedboat Book Club with popular youth fiction author Brian Falkner on the brand new Redland Coast Guard Speedboat - the Talbot.

Check out the full programme

South Passage

Talbot

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MV Lady Brisbane

Hi Viz Marine Services

Bay Cruiser Lady Caroline

Getting to Lamb Island

Island Storytellers Writers & Readers Festival takes place on Quandamooka Country at the historic Pioneer Hall on Ngudjuru - Lamb Island, The Progress Hall on Jencoomercha - Macleay Island, in beauty spots on Canaipa - Russell island, and on the waters of southern Moreton Bay.

There is a frequent local ferry service to the islands from Redland Bay Marina and Go-cards are accepted. All 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, it pays to arrive early to find a spot.

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.

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