Sign-up: from 2pm |  Start: 3 pm
(local time)

Contact details, registration and more information here.

Poets Run This!

Have you ever wanted to change the world with your words?

You are invited to rip those scrawled leaves of passion from your notebook. Are you the next Australian Poetry Slam-bassador? Share your words for two minutes on the mic. Throw your thoughts into the slam-storm. Join heats in over 60 locations around the nation. 

Australian Poetry Slam 2026 (APS) is the cupped hand around your mouth amplifying your shout.

Use your poems to spark new dreams, clear out cobweb memes or offer listeners a sturdy eucalypt branch with a better view.

With millions of metaphors to choose from, what is a poem to you?

Get up. Gather at your local slam. Share with your community.
Jump on the mic or listen, cheer and hold-up scorecards as part of the audience in this national celebration of spoken-wordsmiths.

Whether you’re performing or supporting local wordsmiths from the crowd, the stage is set. The audience is gathered. Electrify us. Prove to the world what we’ve always known is true – Poets Run This.

Feeling inspired by all moments poetic and spoken word? Check out the other Byron events featuring Word Travels and Australian Poetry Slam artists – Poets Out Loud Youth Slam and Beyond The Lines 2026.

HOST: Miles Merrill
FEATURES: Arantza Garcia Ferrand and Sarah Temporal

Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.

Event times local time.

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This Australian Poetry Slam event is presented by Word Travels and Byron Writers Festival with thanks to Byron Library.

Byron Bay Library – Corner of Middleton St and Lawson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481