WOW Marketplace and Community Stage
The WOW Cairns Festival Marketplace is free for all to attend! Featuring local artisans, women-led enterprises, community groups and service providers, performances and free workshops. Come along and grab something to eat, be serenaded by a diverse range of Cairns creative talent, learn a few new dance moves and definitely do some shopping!
2046: When Women Run the World!
What would change if women and girls were believed the first time? Facilitated by Balveen Ajimal, Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Health and Equality Queensland, this conversation explores what women and girls deserve to know about their bodies, and why so many are still forced to fight for answers.
WOW Healing
A quiet space to explore all things health & wellbeing, with workshops throughout the day, weaving and space to just chill and check-in.
WOW Bites
An audience favourite, WOW Bites are short talks, readings and soapbox moments on a wide range of subjects designed to inspire, engage and introduce new ideas from local women and festival guests.
Workhops
WOW looks after you, mind, body and soul! If you want to learn new skills, get your body moving or just relax and do something creative; join in one of our many workshop sessions.
Body of Knowledge: Women’s Health, Bias & Being Believed
The year is 2046, twenty years since the great societal, environmental and financial crash, known today as the ‘Great Cock Up’ after the actions of the now disgraced group of septuagenarian male world leaders in 2026!
Enter the Safe Zone
What does safety really mean for women and girls — at home, at work, online, culturally, and in the places we move through every day?
Speed Mentoring & WOW Wine Down
Finish the day with an opportunity to meet new friends and mentors and exchange ideas and stories by joining us for a session of the popular WOW speed mentoring, followed by some free music and a chance to grab a glass and wind down after the 3 days of Festival activities!
2.45pm // 3.45pm
Accommodation
WOW Australia are pleased to advise a special rate with our accommodation partner, Accor. Book a stay from 7-15th September 2026 at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort and receive 20% off the unrestricted rate at the time of booking. Please mention the ‘WOW Australia’ and quote confirmation #637532 at the time of booking to be given the discounted rate.
We encourage you to book your accommodation as soon as possible. Please note, no rooms are being held, all bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking. Credit card details are required at the time of booking.
Any cancellation within 7 days prior to arrival will be charged the first night of their reservation. Rates will be closed for booking 7 days prior to arrival.
Or contact the Reservations Team on 07 4031 1300 (ext#1) Mon – Fri 9am -5pm, or email h0534@accor.com.
WOW Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the Cairns region, the Djabugay; Yirrganydji; Buluwai, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji; Mandingalbay Yidinji; Gunggandji; Dulabed and Malanbara Yidinji; Bundabarra and Wadjanbarra Yidinji; Wanyurr Majay; Mamu and NgadjonJii peoples. We would like to extend a special thank you to the women of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji peoples on whose traditional lands the Festival will occur.