Day One
A Celebration of Place and Its Stories
The Festival opens Friday evening with the Storytellers Sundowner at the historic Echuca Wharf. As the sun sets over the Murray, the official launch begins with First Nations music, story and language.
Festival of Stories
Program
The Festival of Stories unfolds across three days.
Each day has its own character and its own stories to tell.
From a First Nations sunset launch on the Murray, to a full day of creative sessions, to a Sunday celebration of food and Country.
Be part of the story.
Day Two
A Celebration of Community and Creativity
Saturday is the Festival at full stretch, simultaneous sessions, workshops and performances across multiple venues from morning through to late evening. Closing with Sammy J's Comedy Club and Dan Sultan's Songs and Stories.
Day Three
A Celebration of Food, Country and Community
Sunday gathers around the shared table. A celebration of the stories behind everything on our plates, the land, the people who tend it, and the communities built around it. Through the seasons, we’ll explore how nature and storytelling help us cultivate connection, identity, wellbeing and belonging.
Festival Fringe Events
The Festival of Stories doesn’t stop at our official program.
We also have a beautiful collection of Fringe Events running on the side which are independently organised by local businesses, community groups and creative organisations who are getting behind the festival and creating their own events inspired by our celebration of stories, creativity and connection.
From poetry, to yoga, exhibitions, tours and music, these events are a wonderful way to experience even more of what’s happening across Echuca Moama during our festival weekend.
Our Fringe Events add even more colour, creativity and conversation to an already bursting few days of activity, so be sure to take a look at what’s happening around town and add it to your festival experience.View Fringe Events Below
- Fringe Event
YOGA IN THE PORT with Carly Sheldon
Carly Sheldon is a Wamba Wamba woman and yoga teacher living on Yorta Yorta Country in Echuca. Through Yakoa Yoga, she shares gentle practices that blend movement, breath and rest, grounded in community, connection and presence.
Join Carly in the Port of Echuca (on the green space) by the Dhungala (Murray River) for a grounding morning practice. A little time to slow down, breathe and connect — to yourself, to community and to place. - Fringe Event
POETRY BREAKFAST
Come along and share your poems (original or borrowed) for a community gathering that celebrates all things poetry.
Poetry Breakfast and Open Mic on Saturday October 17 with your poetic hosts – the Campaspe Murray Writers Group. Read your own original poem or your favourite by someone else at this free public event. One poem per entrant. Time limit is no more than 5 minutes per poem but it can be much shorter, if you want. This event is not just for people who wish to read or recite (from memory) a poem but for people who just like to listen to poetry recitals. There will be no judging, or prizes so don’t be nervous. The Festival of Stories audience wants to hear you! Open to anyone 16 years and older. Register on the day between 8:00 and 8:30 at the Beechworth Bakery on High Street, Echuca. Poetry reading from 8:30 to 9:30. Food and coffee naturally can be purchased during this event. See you there! From the Campaspe Murray Writers Group.
For more information contact Bill Sewell at Campaspe Murray Writing Group on 0423 579 582 or email billsewell321@gmail.com (Free event - Fringe Event
EXPLORE THE PORT
The Port of Echuca is a living monument to the 1870s when it was the third largest port in Australia, outside Sydney and Melbourne. Book a tour
- Fringe Event
PADDLESTEAMER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Built by hand right here at the Port of Echuca in 1866, the PS Adelaide spent a century working the Murray. She's still here. Still on the river.
Come celebrate 160 extraordinary years.
Visit portofechuca.com.au for more information
or phone 03 5481 0500. - Fringe Event
MUSEUMS OF THE MURRAY CURATOR TALK
Come and visit a rare survivor: The Captain's Cottage (built 1870) has many tales to tell – of the hustle and bustle of river trade, and its characters.
This free event is presented by the Friends of the Old Moama.
Also while you are in the region, check out the whole River Country Museum trail that extends across Moama, Barham and Moulamein, celebrating the people behind the treasures – volunteers, storytellers, and local legends – who bring the heritage collections to life.
A display highlighting the trail will be on view at the Echuca Club during the festival. - Fringe Event
HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXHIBITION & SELF-GUIDED HERITAGE WALK AND POETRY TRAIL
Follow the stories on a self-guided tour or book a tour.
- Fringe Event
RABBIT TRAX LIVE MUSIC AT GYPSY BAR
Open mic event headlined by internationally recognised singer songwriter Tom Harrington at 3pm. For More Info visit
(Free Event)