Varuna, The National Writers' House.

Three writers sitting around a table with books and coffee mugs, engaged in conversation in the Varuna library with a large bookshelf filled with books behind them.

A group of fifteen writers and staff members at Varuna posing outdoors on a sunny day, standing and sitting at a lookout in the Blue Mountains.

Varuna empowers the literary imagination at every stage of a writer’s career

Originally the home of writers Eleanor Dark and Dr Eric Dark, the house and gardens of Varuna were gifted to the Australian public to be used as a retreat for writers. Each year, over 200 writers participate in residencies and professional development programs at Varuna, and many hundreds more readers and writers participate in workshops and events.

Blue Mountains Writers' Festival tickets now on sale!

Come and spend a fabulous weekend away in the Blue Mountains, and be part of one of Australia's most exciting writers' festivals! From Friday 30 October through to Sunday 1 November, connect with others in this fabulous festival of ideas and creativity.

Upcoming Fellowships and Online Courses

For Writers

2026 Blue Mountains Writers Festival

Friday 30 Oct - Sunday 1 Nov 2026

An unmissable event for readers and writers alike, the Blue Mountains Writers Festival offers all who attend an intimate festival of ideas and creativity, bringing community together to read, connect, and consider new ways of thinking and being in our ever-changing world.

Writing NSW Fellowship

Applications now closed

Writing NSW awards a single one-week Varuna residency to members of Writing NSW for manuscripts, plays or poem collections ready for the next stage of development.

Recharge Your Poetry Practice

Applications close 26 August 2026

In this five-week masterclass you’ll have the opportunity to read a lot, write a lot, receive written and verbal feedback, explore a trove of original prompts and diverse forms, explore and enhance aspects of your creative practice and have a one-to-one consultation about your work.

Deep Reading for Writers

Applications close 7 September 2026

Energise your writing and deepen your critical reading with Emily Maguire. This 10 week course will develop your writing craft through close reading and applied writing practice.

The Writer's Space Fellowships for Writers with Disability

Applications close 8 September 2026

Eight two-week residential fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf.

Crafting Point of View: On-Demand Masterclass

Self-paced online course

Bring the Varuna magic to you with this nine-part online, self-paced course on point of view with Jane Messer. Explore this important element of writing craft, analysing sample readings from well-known authors and being prompted with a series of exercises.

Writing for Wellbeing: On-Demand Masterclass

Self-paced online course

Bring the Varuna magic to you with this eight-part online, self-paced course on writing for wellbeing. This revitalising program enables you to explore writing as a practice for your own wellbeing, including techniques for getting started (or re-started!).

In-Person Courses and Events at Varuna

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WORKSHOP: Find Your Story, Find Your Voice with Emily Maguire

Sept 5

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Find Your Story, Find Your Voice with Emily Maguire

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

A full-day, hands-on workshop with Emily Maguire on coming up with ideas, getting words on the page fast and (re)discovering your writing voice. Open to writers at all stages.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

BOOK LAUNCH: Holly Ringland – The World Beneath Her Feet (In conversation with Michaela Kalowski)

Sept 8

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm18:00 – 19:006:00 pm – 7:00 pm

BOOK LAUNCH: Holly Ringland – The World Beneath Her Feet (In conversation with Michaela Kalowski)

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm18:00 – 19:006:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join best-selling author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Holly Ringland at Varuna to launch The World Beneath Her Feet, her most personal novel yet.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm18:00 – 19:006:00 pm – 7:00 pm

MEET THE WRITERS: First Nations Fellowship Salon

Sept 12

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm16:00 – 17:304:00 pm – 5:30 pm

MEET THE WRITERS: First Nations Fellowship Salon

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm16:00 – 17:304:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Join us for a night of literary readings from this year’s Copyright Agency First Nations Fellows.

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm16:00 – 17:304:00 pm – 5:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Perfect Your Pitch with Cassie Gilmartin

Sept 26

10:00 am – 1:30 pm10:00 – 13:3010:00 am – 1:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Perfect Your Pitch with Cassie Gilmartin

10:00 am – 1:30 pm10:00 – 13:3010:00 am – 1:30 pm

Master the art of the book pitch with author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin in this half-day workshop - what to include, who to pitch to, and when to send it.

10:00 am – 1:30 pm10:00 – 13:3010:00 am – 1:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Dialogue and Subtext with George Kemp

Sept 27

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Dialogue and Subtext with George Kemp

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

Master dialogue and subtext in this full-day fiction workshop with novelist and playwright George Kemp, exploring what characters say versus what they mean. Open to writers at all stages.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Nature Writing with Sophie Cunningham

Oct 10

10:00 am – 1:30 pm10:00 – 13:3010:00 am – 1:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Nature Writing with Sophie Cunningham

10:00 am – 1:30 pm10:00 – 13:3010:00 am – 1:30 pm

Join non-fiction writer, novelist and creative writing teacher Sophie Cunningham to explore what it means to write about nature, and how to do it well.

10:00 am – 1:30 pm10:00 – 13:3010:00 am – 1:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Making poems with Felicity Plunkett

Nov 14

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Making poems with Felicity Plunkett

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

A weekend workshop with Felicity Plunkett and a community of fellow poets ready to read, write and develop their poetry together.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Memoir Writing with Benjamin Law

Nov 30

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Memoir Writing with Benjamin Law

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

A five-day intensive workshop with Benjamin Law for writers who are ready to share their life story, outside of friends and family.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm10:00 – 17:0010:00 am – 5:00 pm

Recent News

News

5 August 2026

2026 Affirm Press Fellowship Recipients

5 August 2026

The recipients of the 2026 Affirm Press Fellowship have been announced.

5 August 2026

16 July 2026

The Varuna Reading Room opening soon!

16 July 2026

Varuna launches public programming with the opening of the Varuna Reading Room.

16 July 2026

6 July 2026

Holly Ringland launches new book in Varuna’s Reading Room

6 July 2026

Best-selling author Holly Ringland launches her new book The World Beneath Her Feet at Varuna, the National Writers’ House.

6 July 2026

2 July 2026

2027 Varuna Residential Fellowships Announced

2 July 2026

We are delighted to announce the 50 writers who have been awarded a Varuna Residential Fellowship for 2027, having received an unprecedented 812 submissions this year.

2 July 2026