QLF closes book on 2022

QUEENSCLIFFE’S biggest gathering of literary fans has concluded with thousands of booklovers attending over three separate weekends.

The annual Queenscliffe Literary Festival has closed the book on 2022 with a record turnout attending sessions and listening to stories from some of the nation’s most successful writers.

“We capped off the third weekend of the festival on Sunday with a record number of audience members to listen to some really big names in the literature world,” festival program director Jane Finemore said.

“People like Charlotte Wood, Michelle de Kretser, Tony Birch, and Helen Garner headlined a full house line-up on our final weekend, including radio host and novelist Kate Langbroek.

“It was the perfect way to finish this year’s successful event.”

Ms Finemore said she was happy to see the festival complete all three of its weekends, compared to the 2021 event, which was halted after two weeks.

“Everyone benefited from the event this year in Queenscliff,” Ms Finemore said.

“Restaurants, cafes and the accommodation at popular stays like the Athelstane House and the Point Lonsdale Guesthouse all enjoyed plenty of guests. Every year we bring plenty of business down to the region.”

The QLF estimates it averaged 150 guests across 24 events over the three weeks, taking the total number of festivalgoers to 3,600; the highest it has ever been.

Ms Finemore said she and the rest of the QLF committee would take a short break before getting stuck into planning for next year’s event, but the program director is hopeful for back-to-back successful festivals.

“I think next year the festival is going to be bigger,” Ms Finemore said.

“We had people coming over from Sorrento on the ferry, other regional areas like Ballarat and Bendigo, and of course from Melbourne particularly on the final weekend, so I believe we will see growth in 2023.”

Head to QLF’s socials to see the full gallery from all three weekends.