As a Clunes local, a long-term attendee of the festival and the Program Manager, I have a few thoughts on how best to navigate Clunes Booktown! It’s just under 2 hours from Melbourne, so it’s an easy day trip and with a little bit of planning you are guaranteed to have an amazing time.
And as well as a jam-packed program of literary events and pop-up stalls from over 130 booksellers, the 2026 festival will have Readings' biggest ever Clunes pop-up shop, selling books from all the authors on the program, as well as bargains and new releases.
To help you figure out your itinerary, you can see my top picks of the festival, and to help you make the most of the day, here are my tips to help you navigate Clunes Booktown this year!
Before you go 📝
Take a look at the schedule online and book those sessions that you definitely want to see. You can book talks and workshops on the day, but your options will be more limited.
Kids Village events don’t need a booking and have some incredible authors – Andrew McDonald, Sofie Laguna and Amelia Mellor to name a few. Buy your gate ticket early so you can move through the line quickly.
Bring lots of cash and a tote bag for all those books you’re going to buy! While this year the festival will have improved mobile coverage for card payments, many of the smaller stalls only deal in cash and just in case coverage drops out you want to know you can still buy that book you’ve got your eye on.
On the Day ☀️
Leave nice and early so you have plenty of time to browse. If you’re catching the train, there is only one morning train directly into Clunes and it leaves Southern Cross at 8.35am, getting into Clunes at 10.30am. If you’re driving, you can park your car at the Showgrounds and a shuttle bus will take you down to Fraser St, where all the action is happening.
Sun hat and sunscreen might be handy if the weather is as good as predicted, and you can refill your water bottle at a water station in the festival precinct.
During the Festival 🎟️
Take time to wander the beautiful wide streets and admire the gold rush era architecture! While Fraser St will be filled with temporary marquees featuring books, food and other delights, there are also some beautiful shops that are there year-round and well worth visiting.
Keen film buffs will be looking for the Tin Shed, one of our key festival venues, which featured as the garage in the original Mad Max film. And if you’re lucky, you might get to peek into the old bank vault where Heath Ledger left his signature while filming Ned Kelly.
Make sure to wander up to the Kids Village, which not only has many more stalls and creators, but also hosts our iconic hay bale maze, which has been set up in one of the seven possible designs created by Marion Anderson.
Take the time to chat with an author, either at the Readings tent where they will be signing books after their sessions, or on one of the many self-published author tables around the festival. Authors are always excited to talk about their work, and the festival is all about celebrating books and their creators!
If you’re staying locally on Saturday night, consider going to the Poetry Slam in the Tin Shed at 5.30pm. If you’re feeling brave, you could even compete for the coveted Bob McKinnon Prize, in honour of the local poet.
Stick around to hear astronomer Krsytal De Napoli talk about First Nations perspectives on the night sky and then, if the weather holds, she will take us outside and you will be amazed by how many stars and constellations you can see from Clunes.
Afterwards 📚
As you ponder your newly expanded TBR pile, put in your calendar the dates for the 2027 festival (20-21 March) and book in your accommodation to make a weekend of it!
See you in Clunes!
Angela Crocombe is the Program Manager for Clunes Booktown Festival, and The Readings Prize and Readings Foundation coordinator.
