Explore our 2026 festival sessions
Across two inspiring days, the Phillip Island Festival of Stories brings together acclaimed writers, journalists, and storytellers for 14 engaging sessions that celebrate the many ways stories shape our world.
The festival kicks off at 5:30pm on Friday 21 August with a welcome to Country ceremony performed by Steve Parker, followed by drinks and speeches in the Berninneit auditorium. To enjoy this plus a whole lot more, the Whole Shebang Festival Pass is the ticket you want!
Festival & Day Passes
Whole Shebang Festival Pass
All access to Berninneit sessions
Friday 21 August - Sunday 23 August
Saturday Day Pass
All access to Berninneit sessions
Saturday 22 August
Sunday Day Pass
All access to Berninneit sessions
Sunday 23 August
Browse All Sessions
Opening Night: Markus Zusak & Rosie Westbrook
A magical evening of words & music
7:30pm - 8:30pm Friday 21 August
Markus Zusak reads his memoir, with music by Rosie Westbrook. *Come early to enjoy the Welcome to Country smoking ceremony at 5:30pm and drinks & speeches from 6:15pm.
Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak
9:00am - 9:45am Saturday 22 August
Author of The Book Thief (17 million+ copies sold), Markus Zusak speaks with Madeleine Stuchbery about his life as an international best-selling author. You don’t want to miss Markus’ only festival appearance this year!
Chris Hammer
Outback Noir
10:00am - 10:45am Saturday 22 August
Chris Hammer, best-selling crime novelist, discusses the idea of writing novels where the landscape itself is a character. With our often complicated sense of the past, does the land and its history play a role in a writer’s work?
Darren Mort
Saving the children
11:00am - 11:45am Saturday 22 August
Family law barrister, novelist, and founder of ‘To Be Loved Network’, Darren Mort talks about divorce and how we can protect the wellbeing of children caught in the middle. Enjoy ‘Millie,’ a 12-minute inspirational film.
Jane Edmandson
Why do people garden?
1:00pm - 1:45pm Saturday 22 August
Why does gardening bring such joy? Renowned gardening expert Jane Edmanson asks, and answers, the important questions about this beloved pastime.
Antoinette Lattouf
Can we talk about Gaza yet?
2:00pm - 2:45pm Saturday 22 August
Journalist and human rights advocate Antoinette Lattouf talks about justice, the ABC, and women who refuse to stay quiet.
Andrew Rule
Chopper’s Ghost
3:00pm - 3:45pm Saturday 22 August
Why is true crime so popular? Having co-written the Chopper Read books and chronicled the extraordinary crime wave that was Melbourne ‘90s Underbelly, Andrew Rule knows where the bodies are buried.
Brian Nankervis
The Beach House Years (theatrical)
7:30pm - 8:30pm Saturday 22 August
In this big-hearted theatrical experience, Brian transports us through the joys and disappointments, the loves and losses, and the raucous nights of the Findlay family as they come together each year.
Andrew Dodd & Matthew Ricketson
Getting Murdoched
9:00am - 9:45am Saturday 22 August
Andrew Dodd and Matthew Ricketson discuss their unsettling but meticulously documented new book, Getting Murdoched: How Murdoch's Media Wields Power and Punishment.
Travis Lovett & Jack Latimore
First Nation’s Treaty and Truth-telling
10:00am - 10:45am Sunday 23 August
Travis Lovett speaks to journalist Jack Latimore about his 905km ‘Walk for Truth’ to deliver a message of truth-telling, healing, and meaningful change to the prime minister. 6,000 others joined him along the way to support his call.
Sean Dooley
The Big Twitch: Are birds worth watching?
11:00am - 11:45am Sunday 23 August
Sean Dooley is the bird man: Author, ABC presenter, Birdlife Australia representative, and former national birdwatching champion. He shares his insights on birdwatching and life with Brian Nankervis.
Olivia Tolich, Bridie Blake & Sandi Wallace
What is a book genre anyway?
1:00pm - 1:45pm Sunday 23 August
Crime? Romance? Fantasy? Thriller… Authors Olivia Tolich, Bridie Blake, and Sandi Wallace discuss their chosen genres and very different paths to publication in this panel.
Alli Parker
You can be lucky
2:00pm - 2:45pm Sunday 23 August
Alli Parker, Japanese/Australian novelist, editor, screenwriter, and best-selling author of ‘At The Foot of The Cherry Tree’ and ‘When The Red Leaves Fall’ talks to Mary Anne Moody about how you can write fiction out of your own life’s experiences.
John Wood
How I clawed my way to the middle
3:00pm - 3:45pm Sunday 23 August
John Wood and fellow actor Gil Tucker trained at NIDA together and have a swag of insider stories about the Australian entertainment industry from the last 40 years. In this session, John discusses winning the prestigious Gold Logie in 2006, after 10 consecutive nominations as the most popular person on Australian TV.
Additional Options You’ll Love
FREE Children’s Event
Liz Allan’s Waddle Squad Reading
11:00am - 11:45am Saturday 22 August
Liz Allan will host a reading of her book ‘Waddle Stock’ in the library. Designed for children, this free event will inspire and engage young minds to develop a love for wildlife. *No ticket required.
Breakfast & Bird Walk
with Sean Dooley
6:45am - 8:45am Sunday 23 August
ABC 774’s Birdman Sean Dooley conducts a bird walk around the island with 30 very lucky participants, spotting birds in their local habitat. Includes a post-walk breakfast at Café Mon Dieu in Cowes. *Only 30 spots.
Lunchbox Add-on
Option for either Saturday, Sunday, or both
We’ve made your festival lunch easier this year. Pre-purchase a lunchbox and we’ll sort the rest. Let us know your dietary requirements upon booking.
The Full 2026 Program
Come for the stories, stay for the penguins, leave inspired
Based on spectacular Phillip Island, the festival of stories offers the perfect opportunity for a winter weekend getaway. Near enough to reach on a short drive from Melbourne but far enough to feel like you’ve had a real escape, Phillip Island is Victoria’s holiday sweet spot. Home to the biggest colony of Little Penguins, idyllic beaches, captivating coastlines, whale watching, and more. Find out more here.
