St Albans Writers' Festival

This spring, from September 16 to 18, the second St Albans Writers' Festival invites you into a world of Australian stories told in picturesque surroundings.

Cross the Hawkesbury river car ferry, take a breath of country air and journey into the Forgotten Valley. Put away your phone where there's no WiFi or mobile service.

On the other side, rub shoulders with more than 50 of Australia's favourite storytellers including Les Murray, Jane Caro, Stan Grant, Sarah Ferguson, Hugh Mackay, Tim Elliott, Judy Nunn, Fiona Wright, Meg Keneally, Emily Maguire, Rod Jones, Richard Glover, Kate Forsyth, Robert Macklin, Wendy Whiteley, Janet Hawley, Matthew Condon and Ailsa Piper. Be exhilarated by new ideas, and feast on amazing food by Simmone Logue.

The festival sessions are held in a small walkable precinct which includes the historic St Albans Church, Settlers Arms Inn and marquees with a backdrop of the Macdonald River. The tiny village has a population of just over 300 people and the festival can accommodate another 800 guests.