Varuna, The Writers' House, Writers' residency and cultural center in Katoomba, Australia
Varuna is a writers' residency and cultural center in the Blue Mountains, housed in a modernist building with stucco exterior that accommodates multiple writers at once. The property includes private workspaces, bedrooms, and shared areas where participants can work on their projects and gather together.
Eleanor and Eric Dark built the house in 1939 as their residence and a gathering place for the local literary community of that time. The property evolved over the decades into an institution welcoming writers from around the world.
The residency brings together writers from different backgrounds who share their work and exchange ideas in the communal spaces throughout the property. This gathering of voices shapes how the writers approach their craft and enriches the literary conversations happening within the house.
This venue is only accessible to writers accepted into the residency program, so it is not open to casual visitors. Those interested in participating should check the website in advance to understand the application process and available timeframes.
The property preserves Eleanor Dark's original writing desk and studio, allowing current writers to work in the same spaces where she created her literary work. This direct link to the house's literary past creates an immediate connection between past and present for every resident.
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