The 2025 Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival will be held from 13-17 February in the Orange and Cabonne regions.
Established in 2014 the festival features an enticing and intriguing program of events celebrating the life, times and work of Banjo Paterson, Australian literature and bush poetry.
Saturday 17 February 2025 marks the 161st anniversary of Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson's birthday and this year's festival will be a special celebratory event.
Best known as a poet and storyteller, Banjo Paterson was also a solicitor, war correspondent, newspaper editor, soldier, sports commentator and farmer. He was born near Orange and grew up at 'Buckinbar', a property at Yeoval, home of the renowned Banjo Paterson: More Than a Poet Museum and Clancy's Café.
The 2025 festival will begin on Thursday 13 February with Poet Walk-ups at Eat Botanic, right next door to Emmaville Cottage, and will conclude with Banjo's Birthday Party Breakfast at Banjo Paterson Park on Monday 17 February.
Other events are the famed Molong Poetry Brawl, where poetry enthusiasts and amateurs join in the fun and challenge of delivering a one-minute original poem featuring a secret phrase, judged by previous winner of the event, David Stanley.
Other highlights include:
- Train trip to lunch at "The Ironbark Hotel" Stuart Town
- Wrath of Grapes in the barrel shed at Heifer Station Wines, Orange
- Conversations with Banjo at Hillside Harvest.
- Author talk at Orange City Library
- Banjo Paterson Performance Poetry Competition
- Youth and adult poetry competitions, food, wine and entertainment with seasoned bush poets in Cargo and Orange
- Music and Wine at Sundown at Strawhouse Wines
The Orange region has several key attractions that link us to the fascinating era of Banjo Paterson including Banjo Paterson Park on the Ophir Road and the Emmaville Cottage, which was conserved and relocated to the Orange Botanic Gardens precinct in 2013.
The festival draws bush poets, literature enthusiasts, and appreciators of Australian history and complete novices from all over Australia.
It is a unique celebration filled with spirited poetry competitions, music and art events, seasonal food and wine from the region, enchanting performances of bush poetry and energetic storytelling.
Australian poetry is alive and well and this unique regional NSW Festival provides something for every age group.
See the full program of events for the 2025 Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival here.
The Banjo Paterson Festival is supported by the Cabonne Arts Council Cabonne Council and Orange City Council.
