Set in Katoomba, the heart of the Blue Mountains, this unmatched literary festival will feature some of Australia’s finest writers and speakers, workshops and special events.
The Carrington Hotel
The Carrington Hotel will play host to the majority of events over the festival weekend. The Carrington has had a long, rich history since opening its doors in August 1883. This beloved Blue Mountains landmark offers the unique ambiance and timeless elegance of a bygone era. Full of charm and steeped in history, join us in this magnificent building.
The Carrington Hotel is at 15-47 Katoomba Street, 160 metres from Katoomba railway station. For enquiries regarding accessibility please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au or call 02 4782 5674 for more information.
The Grand Dining Room of the Carrington Hotel, with its spectacular vaulted ceiling and stunning art deco features, was built in 1887. The Grand Dining Room has long been a venue for all kinds of celebrations, and remains largely as it was when it was built over 130 years ago (but don’t worry, it has air-conditioning now).
The Grand Dining Room sits 210 people. Access to the Grand Dining Room is via The Carrington Hotel Foyer, the entrance for which is 2 flights of steps from Katoomba Street. Alternative access is via the undercover carpark on the right of the Carrington, where there is a small ramp to an entrance that gives flat access to The Grand Dining Room and Ballroom.
T-loop will be available for Festival sessions in the Grand Dining Room. Email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au to reserve a seat in the T-loop section.
The Grand Dining Room
By day, the plush carpet and stage of the Carrington Hotel Ballroom are bathed in natural light. By night, the distinctive chandeliers light up the whole room. Though there’s plenty of room inside, the Ballroom also allows access onto the verandah and the piazza, so you can enjoy the stunning views on show.
The Ballroom sits 115 people. Access to the Ballroom is via The Carrington Hotel Foyer, the entrance for which is 2 flights of steps from Katoomba Street. Alternative access with no steps is via the car park and through the Billiard Room.
The Ballroom
The Baroque Room is located in a separate building from the main hotel, with its own Baroque archway. Featuring a marble bar and a stage ready-made for performances, the stylishly ornate Baroque Room is a sight to behold.
The Baroque Room seats 100 people. It is in a separate building from the main hotel. Walk up the driveway from Katoomba St, past the Old City Bank Brasserie. Enter through the Baroque archway and turn right into the laneway. There is level access to the main room and bar from the main exit driveway of the hotel.
Please note there are no wheelchair accessible toilets at this venue.
The Baroque Room
Cultural Centre Marquee
Erected on the stunning outdoor viewing platform of the Cultural Centre and overlooking the Jamison Valley, the Marquee seats 300 people. Access to the Marquee is from inside the Cultural Centre building, which is located on the same floor.
There are accessible parking spaces available within the Cultural Centre building (accessed via Parke Street), underneath Coles Supermarkets. There is also lift access to the Cultural Centre from the two parking levels and flat ground leading out to the Marquee.
Located at 30 Parke St, Katoomba.
Scenic World
The 510-metre Scenic Cableway journey gently descends into the Jamison Valley and returns to the top of the escarpment.
The fully enclosed cabin is a unique vantage point for viewing iconic rock formations including Three Sisters, Orphan Rock and Mt Solitary. Passing closely by sheer sandstone cliffs, it showcases the renowned geology and geomorphology of the World Heritage region.
Located in Katoomba at the corner of Violet Street and Cliff Drive, the Scenic Cableway is wheelchair accessible. This ride is standing room only due to the nature of the Cableway (no seating is available).
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
A number of the festival’s events take place in the Cultural Centre’s Seminar Room, Board Room and Multipurpose Room. Make sure to also check out the viewing platform for stunning views of Katoomba and the Jamison Valley.
There are accessible parking spaces available within the Cultural Centre building (accessed via Parke Street), underneath Coles Supermarkets. There is also lift access to the Cultural Centre from the two parking levels.
Located at 30 Parke St, Katoomba.
Katoomba Library
Katoomba Library is located within the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
There are accessible parking spaces available within the Cultural Centre building (accessed via Parke Street), underneath Coles Supermarkets. There is also lift access to the Cultural Centre from the two parking levels.
Located at 30 Parke St, Katoomba.
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With the exception of Scenic World, all venues are within two minutes’ walk of each other.
Most of the Festival panels and interviews will be in venues at The Carrington Hotel.
Workshops will be next door at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Events will also held at the the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre underneath an all-weather marquee.
The kids’ program will be at Katoomba Library.
The Cableway event will be at Scenic World, 1 Violet Street, Katoomba.
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Parking at The Carrington Hotel itself is available for Carrington Hotel overnight guests only.
For the festival weekend you can find parking at the underground car park of Coles (next door to The Carrington), the open-air parking outside Woolworths, the underground car park for Woolworths, and the commuter carpark next to Hotel Gearin in Goldsmith Place, Katoomba. Additional parking may also be available at The Katoomba TAFE car park in Parke Street.
A very limited number of onsite parking spots (via the Parke Street entry) will be available for those with an Accessible Parking Permit. Please email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au to check availability. More information about Accessible Parking is available on our Accessibility page.
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There will be a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu available from the bar at The Carrington Hotel, as well as dinner at the Bistro above The Baroque Bar. For a complete listing of dining options, see our Stay page.
More festival information
Making our festival accessible.
Varuna the National Writers’ House is committed to making our programs and events as accessible as possible. Detailed access information for the 2023 Blue Mountains Writers Festival is available here.
If you have individual access requirements, please contact us at hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au and let us know how we can help you.
