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.
Courses at Varuna
26 September 2026
Join author, editor and publisher Cassie Gilmartin for this inside guide to perfecting your book pitch. The perfect chance to take your work that extra step.
27 September 2026
Whether a character is asking for a cup of tea or a divorce, we want meaning to be buzzing underneath. Join George Kemp for a one day deep-dive into the fascinating space between what a character says and what they actually mean.
10 October 2026
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.
30 October 2026
In this full-day workshop, explore how objects, artefacts and talismans reveal character, using examples from fiction and non-fiction. Experienced teacher Eleanor Limprecht guides writing exercises and offers opportunities to share work in a supportive environment.
31 October 2026
Learn practical tools and techniques to craft gripping scenes and a compelling story arc with bestselling author Ashley Kalagian Blunt. Whether fiction or memoir, discover how to grab readers from page one and finish with clear strategies for revising your manuscript into something irresistible.
14 November 2026
Join this in-person weekend workshop with award-winning poet Felicity Plunkett. Learn new techniques, hone your craft, and find a community of fellow poets ready to read, write and develop poetry together.
1 November 2026
Whether you're a novelist, memoirist, playwright or screenwriter, finding your character's unique arc is vital to understanding your story's heart. Join BAFTA-award-winning writer Anthony Mullins for a full-day workshop on crafting an authentic arc for your story.
28 November 2026
Experiment with form and process in poetic workshops with three of the most exciting poets in the country, Jazz Money, Luke Patterson and Anne-Marie Te Whiu. Sign up for one workshop, or more, then join us for readings and reflections at the end of the day.
28 November 2026
Join Australian-Māori (Te Rarawa) poet, weaver, editor, producer and educator Anne-Marie Te Whiu in a workshop of exchange and ideas. Discover what happens when we let go of creative silos and let one art form spark another.
28 November 2026
Join Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money to explore how poetry can reveal the world around us in exciting and surprising ways. A workshop for anyone seeking to write with more attention, more intention, and more connection.
28 November 2026
Join Luke Patterson in this workshop that raids the living archive of stories, rituals, songs, sayings and everyday objects, asking what becomes possible when words are treated less as property than as part of a commonwealth.
30 November 2026
A five-day intensive workshop with Benjamin Law for writers who are ready to share their life story, outside of friends and family.
Applications open early 2027
Varuna’s Masterclass Equity Scholarships are for writers for whom the cost of a course or masterclass would be prohibitive. 10 participants will be selected for this scholarship.
Applications open Dec 2026
Commit to your writing and make 2027 the year you finish your memoir. In this in-depth online masterclass, award-winning author Kris Kneen will lead a small group of writers over 9-months, with structured exercises, readings and feedback designed to help you finish a draft of your memoir.
Applications open in early 2027
Expand and nurture your practice as a poet in this 4-month program. We’ll create an encouraging and inspiring community, and support the development of original work, from single poems to sequences, and explore how to build a collection for publication.
Applications open early 2027
This six-session intensive masterclass offers the opportunity to get started on a new writing project or breathe life into a project you have abandoned or are struggling with.
Events at Varuna
Join Emily Rodda in the Varuna Reading Room, and adventure to the world of Deltora Quest, as we launch the latest epic fantasy from this legendary author.
Recent News
Best-selling author Holly Ringland launches her new book The World Beneath Her Feet at Varuna, the National Writers’ House.
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.
Varuna recently held its inaugural international exchange in partnership with Sangam House.
The recipients of the 2026 Varuna International Exchange New Zealand have been announced.
Varuna’s inaugural Patron and outgoing Chair David Hammon might not have a lot of books on his office bookshelf, but he loves stories.
We’re pleased to announce the six recipients of the 2026 Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowship.
The recipients of the 2026 International Lamplight Online Fellowship - Ireland have been announced.
We’re pleased to announce the six recipients of the 2026 Roderick Centre Online Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers.
We’re pleased to announce the six recipients of the 2026 Trans and Gender Diverse Fellowship.
We’re pleased to announce the six recipients of the 2026 Writer’s Space Online Fellowship for writers with disability.