From Arthur Streeton’s iconic bushland scenes to Andy Griffiths’ wild and wonderful stories, the Dandenong Ranges have always had a way of sparking the imagination and this October, that creative spirit takes centre stage with the very first Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival in Belgrave – a celebration of how this unique place continues to inspire great storytelling.
With the theme ‘Sense of Place’, the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival will dive into the powerful connection between landscape and literature, exploring how the places we live in (and dream up) shape stories, characters and creative identity.
Kicking off on Friday, October 17, the festival will open with a keynote from award-winning Australian author Hannah Kent.
Best known for Burial Rites, Ms Kent recently released her memoir ‘Always Home, Always Homesick’, which explores her deep connection to Iceland, making her a perfect choice to headline a festival rooted in place and belonging.
The Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival chair, Marian Matta said the idea of a local literary festival had been bubbling away for a while.
“There’ve been a couple of smaller lit festivals in the Hills over the years, but it always felt odd that we didn’t have something ongoing,” she said.
“This region has long drawn writers, from C. J. Dennis and Vance and Nettie Palmer, to the many contemporary authors who are still inspired by our stunning surrounds.”
Things really took off after a single social media post in April last year that sparked a wave of community interest and support.
The main day of events, Saturday, October 18, will feature a packed program of panel discussions and hands-on workshops covering everything from historical fiction and crime, to YA, romance, and the ins and outs of self-publishing.
The lineup includes a strong showing of local talent, with Lia Hills, Kate Mildenhall, Elle McFadzean, Kylie Orr and Alison Goodman all confirmed, along with journalist and author Paul Kennedy.
Ms Matta said highlighting both big names and emerging voices is a core part of the festival’s mission.
“Publishing a book is no small feat. Getting attention for it? That’s even tougher,” she said.
“We hope this festival not only gives local readers a chance to connect with well-known writers, but also encourages people to back themselves and start writing too.”
Community connection is just as central to the event. A street-wide book swap in Belgrave, free and open to everyone, will invite locals to trade titles and discover something new in a fun, unexpected way.
For Ms Matta, the Dandenongs are more than just a beautiful backdrop, they’re at the heart of what makes the festival special.
“A sense of place can be literal, emotional, or even something a bit mysterious,” she said.
“These hills hold so many stories, they’ve always sparked creativity, and we want to honour that.”
While the 2025 festival will be based around Belgrave, the team already has plans to grow.
“Our long-term goal is to expand across more parts of the Dandenongs,” Ms Matta said.
“We want this to become a much-loved annual event, something that brings people together to celebrate writing, draws in visitors, and gives a boost to our local businesses too.”
Supported by a community grant from the Shire of Yarra Ranges, the festival is shaping up to be a true celebration of words, place and people.
Tickets will go on sale in September, and those keen to stay in the loop can sign up for updates at drlf.org.au.
Whether you’re a lifelong reader, a budding writer, or just love a good story, the Dandenongs this October is the place to be.
