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.

Sketch of the new building, a large open space for staff and future programs. It has large windows, surrounded by trees and a garden with flowering bushes and native plants.

Please help us complete our new building!

For more than three decades, Varuna has nurtured Australia’s literary culture, offering time, space and inspiration to generations of writers. Now, we’re building a new space in the gardens of Varuna — a contemporary home for readers and writers to come together all year round.

Upcoming Fellowships and Online Courses

For Writers

Weaving Memoir: Writing and Structuring Personal Stories

Applications close 21 July 2026

People often think a memoir must go from A to B in a timeline that marches with a calendar. In this innovative memoir workshop, Kris Kneen will take you through a different process of structuring your memoir. The work will be a weaving of several different stories across different timelines that are organised by a unifying theme.

The Power of a Good Outline

Applications close 11 August 2026

This 6-week course with Anthony Mullins will introduce you to the power of story outlines, be it for planning, problem solving, analysis or pitching. Whether you're writing a novel, a screenplay, or a play, an outline can give you the ability to see the big picture and remember why you wanted to write this story in the first place.

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 Sep 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.

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!).

2026 Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival

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. Join us Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November, 2026.

In-Person Courses and Events at Varuna

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July 31

2:00 pm – 6:30 pm14:00 – 18:302:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Varuna Community Open Day

2:00 pm – 6:30 pm14:00 – 18:302:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Join us to celebrate the opening of a stunning new workshop and event space at Varuna, the National Writers' House.

2:00 pm – 6:30 pm14:00 – 18:302:00 pm – 6:30 pm

MEET THE WRITERS: Queerstories at Varuna

Aug 8

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm18:00 – 20:006:00 pm – 8:00 pm

MEET THE WRITERS: Queerstories at Varuna

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm18:00 – 20:006:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join six emerging trans and gender diverse authors as they share glimpses into their creative practice, and snippets of works-in-progress at Varuna.

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm18:00 – 20:006:00 pm – 8:00 pm

WORKSHOP: Read, Reflect, Rewrite with Roanna Gonsalves

Aug 19

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm18:30 – 20:306:30 pm – 8:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Read, Reflect, Rewrite with Roanna Gonsalves

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm18:30 – 20:306:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join award-winning author Dr Roanna Gonsalves for a 6-week writing workshop where you'll be guided to give and receive feedback to strengthen your writing. Open to writers at all stages.

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm18:30 – 20:306:30 pm – 8:30 pm

WORKSHOP: Scene by Scene with Vivian Pham

Aug 29

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

WORKSHOP: Scene by Scene with Vivian Pham

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

Break your story into the moments that matter. Join Scene by Scene, a half-day writing workshop focused on crafting powerful, purposeful scenes. Open to writers at all stages.

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

Aug 30

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm14:00 – 15:002:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Red Room Poetry Fellows Showcase

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm14:00 – 15:002:00 pm – 3:00 pm

A presentation of poetry in the heart of the Blue Mountains, featuring readings by 2026 Red Room Fellows Dakota Feirer, Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello, Kerry Greer, Rob Waters, Misbah Wolf, and Sela Ahosivi-Atiola, alongside a musical set by a local musician. Hosted by Red Room Poetry’s David Stavanger.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm14:00 – 15:002:00 pm – 3:00 pm

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

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

Recent News

News

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