Wet Tropics Residency 2026
We're running a residency for short story writers! Join us for 11 days in Queensland's Wet Tropics in July 2026 -- with stipend, travel, accommodation and food covered by Creative Australia World Heritage Area Residency funding. Two emerging writers will also receive mentorship.
Updates:
AI use
CV for emerging writers
New judges
More accommodation details
Clarification on "emerging"
Multiple ideas
Is genre ok?
Current Application Deadline: 19 November - 31 December 2025
Notification: Before 30 January 2026
Residency Dates: 13 July - 24 July 2026
Eligibility: This residency is for writers over 18 years of age living in Australia. You do not have to be a citizen to apply.
Residency Type: Short story writing inspired by the science/natural history of the Queensland Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Six residencies total will be awarded from the pool of applicants, including two residencies specifically for Emerging Writers.
Writer’s Stipend: $750, to be paid at the conclusion of the Residency
Housing: 10 nights at The Canopy Treehouses, Tarzali QLD (2bdr cabins without a separate studio) + 1 night in Cairns (individual hotel rooms).
Publication: Yes, in the Science Write Now (SWN) Hot Wet North edition, August 2027. Please have a look at the SWN mission statement and a few of our editions to make sure your work is a good fit.
APPLICATION
Who’s judging? SWN Co-founder and Editor in Chief, Amanda Niehaus + Professor of Ecology, Darryl Jones + all-round legend Martine Kropkowski
Am I an Emerging Writer? For the purposes of the residency, emerging writers are individuals who have not yet published a story collection, novel, or other long-form prose work in Australia or overseas (this includes self-publishing). Emerging writers can be of any age! If you feel you are on the fence between emerging and established (for example, you are an established poet but have not published much prose), then ask yourself, would I benefit from one-on-one mentorship in addition to regular editing work? If so, then you're emerging!
What if someone else has my idea? Though we feel this is unlikely to happen, if we love two applications that have similar ideas, we will talk with both applicants about potential modifications.
Will I get feedback from judges? We will not have time to supply feedback on applications.
Can I use AI? As always, we want to hear your words! No AI will be accepted.
What if I'm emerging and don't have a "writing CV"? That's ok! Tell us about yourself and your experiences and send us your very best idea and writing sample.
Can I apply with two ideas? You can submit multiple applications, which will be assessed completely independently.
Is genre fiction ok? Of course! We'd love to have a mix of genres in the edition, but all pieces should be targeted to adults (or older teenagers).
RESIDENCY
What happens at the residency? It’s your time to write, walk the property, and chat with other writers. We’ll also have scientists on site at various points to answer questions and take us on guided night/day walks.
What are the housing and food arrangements? On 13-23 July, writers will be housed in pairs in 2-bedroom cabins within the 100 acre rainforest at The Canopy Treehouses, Tarzali QLD. Edit: there is one king bedroom and one king bed on the open air mezzanine level. Each cabin has a large table which can be used as workspace. Please bring headphones and/or ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise while writing or during the night as there will be a few other guests on the property during our stay. And probably some noisy birds!
Each cabin will be stocked with supplies for self-catered breakfast, lunch and snacks. Alcohol is BYO (we can pick up en route). We will also have access to the larger Bower House for breaks, conversation and catered dinners.
On our last night, 23 July, we will return via minibus to Cairns where we will stay in a hotel and participate in a reading/panel event hosted by JCU’s Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing.
Is travel covered? Economy flights are covered from anywhere in Australia, and we will hire a minibus for transport to/from the residency. Participants will also be able to organise short excursions while on-residency; we will have a driver available.
When should I arrive/depart? Writers should plan to arrive before 3pm on the 13th July, 2026, and can depart anytime during the 24th July, 2026.
What happens if I can’t make those dates? Unfortunately, our residency dates are finalised. However, you can still submit science-inspired writing in our regular call-out for the Hot Wet North edition between February – April 2027.
Is there an expected outcome from the residency? Yes. Writers will be asked to produce a publishable piece of short fiction for The Hot Wet North edition, to be published in August 2027.
What if I don’t want to write fiction? This residency is all about fiction, as we want to focus on the unique platform, opportunities, and challenges fiction presents in showcasing science and nature. Any kind of fiction works! However, you will be able to submit nonfiction, poetry, and other form of writing in our regular call-out for the Hot Wet North edition between February – April 2027.
What if I’m not into science? Please have a look at the SWN mission statement and a few of our editions to make sure your work is a good fit.
When will I find out if I’m in? We plan to finalise decisions by the end of January 2026.
What happens then? Our application asks you to pitch a short story (fiction) idea connected to the science of Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. If you are selected, we will connect you in early 2026 with scientists whose work relates to your proposed story, and with whom we encourage conversation around your idea and the science that inspired it. You are welcome to work on the story at any time after you are selected! You will need to produce a complete draft for editing in November 2026 and stories will be finalised for publication by June 2027.
And if I’m an Emerging Writer? Our 2x selected emerging writers will receive individually structured mentorship by SWN editor in chief, Amanda Niehaus, between July 2026 and June 2027.
When will the edition launch? August 2027
Where do I apply? Here!