Whitsundays Songwriter Festival
A Celebration of Songwriting
The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival (WSF) is a vibrant celebration of songs, stories, and creative community on Ngaro and Gia land in North Queensland.
Each year, a group of acclaimed songwriters gather for a creative Residency, developing new work inspired by place, collaboration, and culture. Building on this energy, the festival’s Songwriting Summit invites local and interstate writers to be inspired and mentored by the resident artists, exploring the craft of songwriting through immersive masterclasses, skill-building workshops, and a Summit showcase where participants can share their work. The festival culminates in an intimate Concert & Conversation, where the resident songwriters perform and reveal the stories behind the works they created during the residency.
The Songwriters
Part of the Whitsundays Arts Festival and co-founded in 2022 by Queenslanders Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence, the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival is fast becoming one of Airlie Beach’s most beloved cultural events, with resident songwriter alumni including Wendy Matthews, Toni Childs, Vika & Linda, Graeme Connors, Jude York, and Tia Gostelow.
The 2026 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival will take place in Airlie Beach, Queensland from June 3–7, 2026. The 2026 festival songwriters will be announced shortly.
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Songwriter Residency
Six world-class songwriters take part in a creative residency, developing new work inspired by place, collaboration, and culture - and step into the Songwriting Summit as faculty and mentors.
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Songwriting Summit
A full program of songwriting, collaboration, workshops and mentorship, where songwriters explore their craft, share songs, and learn from industry leaders.
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Concert & Conversation
An unforgettable evening as celebrated songwriters share their songs, and the stories that shaped them.
Sponsors
The 2025 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival is supported by sponsors including Whitsunday Regional Council, Airlie Beach Music Centre, Think Real Estate Mackay, Aussie Mackay, Hon Amanda Camm MP, Sea Star Apartments and Cruise Whitsundays. This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.
The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival is presented in partnership with I Heart Songwriting Club, Whitsunday Sailing Club, and the Whitsundays Arts Festival which is proud to be auspicing arts events such as the Songwriter Festival in the region in 2025.
