Riveting Retreat for Literature Lovers

A huge line-up of renowned writers including Tomorrow When The War Began's John Marsden and science fiction author Isobelle Carmody are set to arrive in the Margaret River Region later this month for the seventh annual Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival.

Preparations are well underway for the Festival, scheduled for the Western Australia Day long weekend to allow visitors to extend their stay in the extraordinary Margaret River Region.

Festival Director Helen Allan affirmed that the bill included more than 30 authors and presenters, who had written everything from landscape design books to environmental poems, songs and love stories.

“We have selected a range of authors, poets, comedians and musicians from across genres that we hope will keep everyone entertained, intrigued and satisfied,” she said.

Ms Allan advised that the Festival had a theme of 'seasons' this year, to "encapsulate the seasons of life, and of nature".

“Autumn is such a beautiful time in the Margaret River Region, and we want to celebrate that as part of the Festival theme,” said Ms Allan.

Melbourne based comedian Luke Ryan, author of 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Chemo', said he was really looking forward to the Festival and visiting the region.

"I'm a Perth boy originally, so spent quite a lot of my childhood summers down in Margaret River, bodyboarding out at Redgate beach," he said.

"While I'm living in Melbourne these days, heading down the WA coast remains one of the great pleasures of returning to the home town."

When asked what he was most looking forward to, Ryan advised it was a combination of "wine, words and wintertime beaches."

Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association CEO Pip Close affirmed that the Festival was a fantastic reason to come and visit the Margaret River Region in off-peak season.

“It's a much quieter time of year – perfect if you prefer to avoid the crowds, and the region really is gorgeous in late autumn/early winter,” said Ms Close.

“It's also the start of whale watching season – the Margaret River Region sees 35,000 humpback and southern right whales passing through our waters each year, and with the world-class facilities at the new Augusta Boat Harbour, whale watching is an experience not to be missed,” she said.

The cost for the Readers and Writers Festival's main weekend events is $20 per author talk, although many elements of the program are free, and discounted day, weekend and three-day tickets are available.

For more information call (08) 9758 7316 or download the festival program. Tickets can be purchased online from Arts Margaret River, in person or over the phone.