October is always a full month in my calendar. Family celebrations, festivals, footy finals, and in the past couple of years, SXSW Sydney has made a strong entry to the list.
The week is blocked out with a mash-up of tech, culture, music, film, and conversations you didn’t know you needed. And like any big festival, it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know how to navigate it.
If you’re coming this year, here’s my cheat sheet. Not the glossy brochure, but the practical tips and highlights I’ve picked up from experience going back from the first year SXSW planted its flag in Australia all the way from Austin.
Navigating the Venue
The venue is expansive and easy to get lost in — think “choose your own adventure” scale. Last year I found myself often darting between Room E.03 and Room C.03, and it took a while before the mental map kicked in.
Pro tip: Download the app, familiarise yourself with the room codes, and allow a buffer between sessions. It’ll save you from sprinting across Darling Harbour.
Big Stages & Big Names
There’s nothing like the energy of the keynote halls. Futurists, founders, and even Hollywood royalty. Past years have brought the likes of Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, futurist Amy Webb, and our very own Nicole Kidman.
This year, circle these names in your diary:
- Mo Gawdat — ex–Google X leader with a refreshing take on why AI can make us “more, not less” (Oct 13, 11:30am, Pyrmont Theatre)
- Paul Feig — Hollywood storyteller behind Bridesmaids and A Simple Favour, bringing the screen program star power (Oct 15, 11:30am)
- Josh Lindgren, Head of Podcasts at CAA — steering the future of audio (Oct 15, 10:30am)
- Teddy Swims — Grammy-nominated soul powerhouse and this year’s music keynote, straight off the NRL Grand Final stage (Oct 16, 11:30am)
- Brendan Dowling, Australia’s Cyber Ambassador — shaping digital policy on the world stage (Oct 17, 9:30am)
- Pro tip: These sessions fill up fast. If it’s a big name you’re eyeing, line up early. I’ve seen queues snake out the door. Arriving 20–30 minutes before start time is a good strategy.
Tech & Innovation
The Tech & Innovation track is stacked this year. This is where hype meets hard reality and the future is shaped live.
- Engineering Optimism: Museum of the Future — why the future is brighter than it looks (Oct 13, 3:30pm, Cockle Bay 1)
- AI as Judge, Jury & Executioner — the ethics of automated sentencing (Oct 13, 12:30pm, Cockle Bay 2)
- Cyber Intelligence in Business — trenchcoats not required, but foresight is (Oct 16, 3:15pm, Cockle Bay 1)
- Lars Rasmussen & Bill Tai — Google Maps co-founder meets VC legend to chart the future of tech (Oct 16, 10:15 am)
- Neuroscience for uncertain times — understand your brain with Hayley North (Oct 13 am)
Leadership & Culture
Less about hacks, more about how we live and work better.
- Building a Connected Workplace — Jen Dobbie on creativity and culture in the workplace in conversation with GM Monday.com (Oct 13, 2:00 pm)
- The Anti-Hustle Playbook — rewriting success without burnout (Oct 17, 10:15 am)
- In (Un)Loving Memory: Killing Meeting Culture — Atlassian’s Avani Prabhakar on reclaiming calendars (Oct 14, 9:15 am)
- Pivot Points — resilience lessons from Blackberry, Blockbuster & more (Oct 13, 4:00 pm)
- Defining Voices in Women’s Media — Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens & Holly Wainwright of Mamamia Out Loud* (Oct 16, 1:00 pm,)
Creative & Culture Mash-Ups
Magic happens at the intersections.
- Mastering Tech for Brand Impact - Valerie Maddon from McCann APAC moderating a stellar panel ( Oct 13, 12:15 pm).
- Brisbane 2032 — how Gen Alpha will redefine the Games before they begin (Oct 13, 12:30pm)
- Creative Precincts with Alex Poots — reinventing cultural programming for cities that inspire (Oct 13, 2pm)
- Trading Cards: Pop Culture Meets Commerce — why fandom is now big business (Oct 17, 12:45pm)
Founder-Focused Must-Sees
For builders and dreamers — your must-attends.
- SXSW Pitch Finals — founders across climate, AI, and health battle it out (Oct 16, 3:30–5pm)
- Innovation Expo — XR, prototypes, and early-stage projects you can touch (Oct 15–18, ICC Level 4)
- Going Global: Lessons from Australia’s Leading Brands — hard-won lessons in scale (Oct 16, 10:30am)
- AI Reality Check — utopia, dystopia, or somewhere in between? (Oct 15, 10:30am)
- The 2026 Skills Horizon — what founders need to know next, loved this last year (Oct 14, 12:45pm)
Side Events, Showcases, & Houses
The official lineup is only one part of the show. Some of the best moments happen outside the main schedule. Explore the many side events where the serendipity lives:
- Coffees & Kilometers by my friends at Tractor to start your morning with founders and creatives over caffeine & steps ( Oct 15, 7:30 am) Register
- Tech & Innovation Opening Party — meet everyone in one place (Oct 13, 5–7pm, Fratelli Fresh) RSVP.
- Birchal & FKS Afternoon Drinks — founders and investors mingle over drinks and the fabulous FKS crew (Oct 14, 4–6pm, Planar @ ICC) RSVP.
- Chats Over Chai — my own cross-border meetup, over soothing chai with international delegates (Oct 15, 6:30 pm onwards @ La Trobe City Campus RSVP.
- Clear Hayes House — consistently great sessions in a relaxed setting and nibbles.
- Tumbalong Park Food Trucks & Free Activations — the buzzing heart of SXSW, with surprises at every turn.
- Take the time to check out the Accenture Innovation Gallery Space and Loreal Groupe Innovation Station.
Final Word
SXSW Sydney is part conference, part festival, part treasure hunt. Yes, the big names are worth lining up for, but the real magic happens in between: a chat in a coffee queue, a spontaneous chai meetup, or a food truck conversation that sparks a new idea.
That’s why I keep coming back.
👉 Full lineup is here: SXSW Sydney 2025.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All times and sessions listed here are based on the official program as of now. Always check the SXSW Sydney app or website for the latest updates, as times, rooms, and speakers may change.
