Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival Turns 10
The Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival returns this May, proudly celebrating a decade of storytelling, big ideas, and unforgettable conversations.
Running from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 May, the much-loved Festival will feature five days of author talks, live-streamed sessions from the Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF), and exciting local events at Bathurst Library and the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC).
Live streamed big-name authors include Helen Garner, Markus Zusak, The Moriarty Sisters, Anna Funder, and international favourites like Colm Tóibín, Ian Rankin and A.C. Grayling.
Local talent will also take centre stage, with in-person appearances by Cadance Bell, Hayley Rawsthorne and Leesa Ronald, joined by other regional writers and readers. Families and young readers can enjoy sessions with Jeff Kinney, creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and fantasy favourite Lynette Noni, both part of the SWF live stream.
The much-loved Great Festival Read returns, bringing Bathurst readers together to enjoy the same book ahead of the Festival. This year’s pick is Purple Threads by Wiradjuri author Jeanine Leane — a heartfelt, humorous and powerful story about growing up with two unforgettable Aunties on a sheep farm near Gundagai. We’re honoured to welcome Jeanine Leane in conversation with Aunty Leanna Carr-Smith during the Festival. Copies of Purple Threads are available now at BooksPlus and Bathurst Library.
Other highlights include:
- True Crime insights from journalist Justine Ford
- Wiradyuri community leaders on oral knowledge
- A talk by historian Stephen Gapps
- Pip Fioretti discussing her new local crime novel
- The fun and fast-paced “Great Books You Might Have Missed” session
Tickets and the full program are available online at bmec.com.au or by calling the BMEC Box Office on (02) 6333 6161. Printed programs can be picked up at Bathurst Library and at local sponsors Bake, Table and Tea and BooksPlus.
Join us in celebrating ten years of stories, ideas, and community at the 2025 Bathurst Writers’ & Readers’ Festival—a Festival made by and for readers, right here in the heart of Bathurst.
To purchase a ticket to a single session – please navigate to the event page and use the buy tickets button, call our Box Office on 6333 6161 or pop-in and see one of the team.
To Purchase a Day Pass – Please CLICK HERE or on each event page and select the day that you wish to purchase a pass for, call our Box Office on 6333 6161 or pop-in and see one of the team.
To purchase a Festival Pass – Please pop-in to the BMEC box office, or call our team on 6333 6161
| WEDNESDAY 21 MAY | |
| NATIONAL SIMILTANEOUS STORYTIME | 12pm -1pm Bathurst Library |
| THESE LITTLE FEET | 3:45pm – 4:45pm Bathurst Library |
| THURSDAY 22 MAY | |
| MARKUS ZUSACK: THREE WILD DOGS AND THE TRUTH | 10am-11am BMEC |
| GINA CHICK: WE ARE THE STARS | 12pm-1pm BMEC |
| DAVID NICHOLLS: YOU ARE HERE | 2pm – 3pm Bathurst Library |
| PAST AND FUTURE OF INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION | 4pm – 5pm Bathurst Library |
| KALIANE BRADLEY: THE MINISTRY OF TIME | 6pm – 7pm Bathurst Library |
| LETTERS TO OUR ROBOT SON: WRITING SCI FI WITH CADANCE BELL | 7:10pm – 7:50pm Bathurst Library |
| STATE OF THE ART: THE NOVEL | 8pm – 9pm Bathurst Library |
| FRIDAY 23 MAY | |
| THE MORIARTY SISTERS | 10am – 11am BMEC |
| HELEN GARNER: THE SEASON | 12pm – 1pm BMEC |
| ALAN HOLLINGHURST: OUR EVENINGS | 2pm – 3pm Bathurst Library |
| COLM TÓIBÍN: FROM BROOKLYN TO LONG ISLAND | 4pm – 5pm Bathurst Library |
| UNTRUE CRIME | 6pm – 7pm Bathurst Library |
| JUSTINE FORD TRUE CRIME | 7:10 – 7:50pm BMEC |
| QUEERSTORIES | 8pm – 9:30pm BMEC |
| SATURDAY 24 MAY | |
| BAKERS’ DELIGHT – SPONSORED BY BAKE TABLE & TEA | 10am – 11am BMEC |
| GREAT BOOKS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED | 11am – 12pm BMEC |
| A.C. GRAYLING ON CANCEL CULTURE | 12pm – 1pm BMEC |
| BEN MACINTYRE: THE SIEGE | 2pm – 3pm BMEC |
| MODERN ROMANCE WITH MELANIE SAWARD AND LEESA RONALD | 3pm – 4pm BMEC |
| IAN RANKIN: MASTER OF CRIME | 4pm – 5pm BMEC |
| DHULU YALA, GARI YALA’: THE POWER OF ORAL KNOWLEDGE | 5:30pm – 6:30pm BMEC |
| WANDERING WILD WITH LYNETTE NONI | 5:30pm – 6:30pm BMEC |
| ASAKO YUKUZI: BUTTER | 7:30pm – 8:30pm BMEC |
| SUNDAY 25 MAY | |
| GREAT FESTIVAL READ PANEL FOLLOWED BY JEANINE LEANE IN COVERSATION | 9:30am – 11:45am BMEC |
| THE HOT MESS SHOW WITH JEFF KINNEY | 12pm – 1pm BMEC |
| SOFALA AND SURROUNDS: FRONTIER CRIME IS GOLD | 1pm – 2pm BMEC |
| MAKING A WRITER | 2pm – 3pm BMEC |
| SPIES, LIES AND SECRETS | 3:30pm – 4:30pm BMEC |
| UNSETTLING THE PAST: DIFFICULT HISTORIES AND TRUTH-TELLING | 4:30pm – 5:30pm BMEC |
| CLOSING ADDRESS: ANNA FUNDER: THE BEARS OUT THERE | 5:30pm – 6:30pm BMEC |
Event and Ticket Details
To purchase a ticket to a single session – please navigate to the event page and use the buy tickets button, call our Box Office on 6333 6161 or pop-in and see one of the team.
To Purchase a Day Pass – Please CLICK HERE or on each event page and select the day that you wish to purchase a pass for, call our Box Office on 6333 6161 or pop-in and see one of the team.
To purchase a Festival Pass – Please pop-in to the BMEC box office, or call our team on 6333 6161
