16 Best Books about Australia To Add to your Reading List

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Looking for the best books about Australia? We are here to help!

If you have wanted to travel to Australia but just can’t fathom the ticket price, don’t worry. You can travel there from the comfort of your own home by reading books about Australian culture!

Throughout this article, you’ll find some of the most outstanding books about Australia, ranging from non-fiction to historical fiction to even a few funny memoirs! Some of these books are written with a setting in Australia, while others are written by Australian authors. 

However, each of them is very much worth looking into and reading if you’re looking for a book to cure your wanderlust!

Without further ado, here are some of the best books about Australia. 

1. In a Sunburned Country (Down Under) by Bill Bryson 

First up is Down Under / In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson, one of the top-rated travel books about Australia! It mainly takes place in Sydney (NSW) and Alice Springs (NT) but many other places are mentioned.

It falls under the category of travel, nonfiction, humour, and memoir, so it’s quite an exciting read.

Throughout this New York Times Bestseller, Bryson talks about his excursion to Australia. He uses quick-witted humour and really breaks down what it’s like there while travelling off the beaten path to check out hidden gems. 

In a Sunburnt Country / Down Under by Bill Bryson is all about the author learning more about the country. He makes interesting parallels and humorous jokes throughout the book. He often talks about how he loves Australia but hates the “killer creatures” that live there!

He has a way to perfectly describe each place in a fun and accurate way.

If you’ve been to Canberra for example, you’ll see that the way he puts it is exactly how it is!

If you only read one book off this list, be sure to check out In a Sunburned Country! It’s one of the best funny books about Australia. 

Side note – This book is also known as Down Under in the UK and Australia. The name was changed to fit various English speaking markets.

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2. The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia’s Founding by Robert Hughes

Next is The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia’s Founding by Robert Hughes, one of the books about Australian history.

It’s a really dense book that’s just shy of 700 pages, depending on the version of the book that you purchase.

IIn this national bestseller, Hughes brings readers all the way back to when Australia was first coming about and doesn’t leave any hardship out.

Throughout the book, readers learn about the convict transportation system and Australia’s suffering.

This is definitely one of the more dense books about Australia, but if you’re a huge history fan, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

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3. Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner

Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner is a cultural classic in Australia that also falls under the category of children’s or young adult literature. 

It was first published in 1894 and follows a guy named Captain Woolcot, who had six children with his past wife.

However, after getting remarried, he ends up having a seventh child, hence the name of the novel.

He wants to set strict rules for his kids, but they’re so fun-loving and rowdy!

Many past reviewers loved this book for the characters alone. 

This is a shorter read, only about 150 pages and is great for someone looking for a lighter story. It’s the first in a series, too. 

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4. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough is one of the books on Australia that was published in the late 20th century. It also partly takes place in New Zealand and Vatican City. 

It’s a historical fiction romance novel that follows the Cleary family. Throughout the novel, some of the main characters in the family go through lots of romance and heartache, which the author explores. The characters in this book are said to be incredibly well written. 

This would make a great summer read for anyone who loves historical fiction with a hint of romance. It is a thicker book and is around 700 pages!

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5. True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey is another historical fiction novel. This one follows Ned Kelly, who is seen as an outlaw by his people, but he works to tell his story through the book’s pages.

The worldbuilding in this book is excellent, and the author also writes in Ned Kelly’s own slang, which makes you feel like you know him by the end of the book. It’s a semi-true story as the Kelly Gang was real, so Carey takes his own spin on the novel by talking about it through the eyes of one of them. 

Carey’s novel is one that reviewers either love or hate, but most people love it. The reviews are pretty polarising, but don’t let that scare you.

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6. We of the Never Never by Jeannie Gunn

Next is We of the Never Never by Jeannie Gunn, which is considered an Australian classic. This is one of the best non-fiction books about Australia. It’s a biographical novel about some experiences that the author had gone through while in the Northern Territory. 

The book follows Jeanie Gunn under an alias who moves from Melbourne to the Northern Territory. It recounts her tales of loneliness and what she went through while living there. It’s been considered a must-read in Australia and was written back in 1908.

If you like reading books with deeper meanings, then be sure to check out We of the Never Never. It’s a shorter read but is not the easiest book on this list!

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7. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay is a fictional mystery book about Australia that is deemed somewhat of a classic. It’s one of those books that people read once and then keep going back towards!

The story begins right after three girls disappear after having a picnic at Hanging Rock. They go out and continue climbing until they disappear and nobody hears from them again. Throughout this short book (it’s only about 200 pages), readers must try to figure out what happened to them.

This is a popular book because it’s hard to tell whether the story is true or not. Give it a read and find out for yourself!

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8. My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin

My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin is an ahistorical fiction book that touches on Australian culture and feminism. It was first published in 1901 and is one of Franklin’s first novels. The story follows Sybylla, who wants to stay independent and be alone rather than marry one of Australia’s richest men. She ends up having to get a job, which is what the book is named after. 

For a book with an interesting heroine, be sure to pick up My Brilliant Career. It’s not a book for everyone, but if you enjoy reading early 20th-century literature, you’ll enjoy it.

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9. Voss by Patrick White

Voss by Patrick White takes place in the 19th century but was first published in the 1950s. It follows a romance between Voss and Laura. Voss is an adventurer and has only actually met Laura a few times, but they begin to have strong feelings towards one another. 

This is a fascinating book that actually has a hint of darkness to it. There’s conflict, romance, and heartache throughout, and lots of exploring across Australia. It’s around 500 pages, so it can definitely take a while to read, but if the story sounds interesting, you’ll want to go for it!

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10. The Harp in the South by Ruth Park

Next on this list of the best books in Australia is The Harp in the South by Ruth Park. This is arguably one of the top favourite books among Australians, so you won’t want to miss it! 

The story follows a family named the Darcys who live in Surry Hills and the hardships that they go through while living in the slums. It explores many topics that weren’t often discussed in the 1940s when this book was first published.

This true Australian classic covers everything from racism to teenage pregnancy. It’s top-rated and even has an average review of 4 out of 5 stars. Plus, it’s part of a series.

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11. A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice is one of the more interesting books on this list. It takes place in Malaya, Malaysia and Australia during World War II. 

It’s about a girl named Jean Paget who is from England. She was captured while living in Malaya and, after being freed, moves back to England. However, she still has to deal with everything she’s been through and has new challenges that arise. 

A Town Like Alice is one of those books about war that even if you don’t like books on the topic, you’ll end up enjoying. It’s a shorter read with an exciting premise worth checking out.

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12. The Kookaburra Creek Cafe by Sandie Docker

A more unique book about Australia is The Kookaburra Creek Cafe by Sandie Docker! It covers the future, present and the past, making for an interesting and unique read compared to other books on this list.

It follows three characters, Hattie (the past), Alice (the present), and Becca (the future), who all have connections to Kookaburra Creek Cafe. Each one of them is going through their own hardships that all somewhat align while working at the same cafe during different times. 

This is a newer book that was just published in 2018, and it instantly became a favourite among readers.

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13. Outback Odyssey: Travels in Hidden Australia by John Dwyer

Another one of the best non-fiction books about Australia is Outback Odyssey! This fun travel memoir is not as known as Down Under but is an excellent read for people planning a trip to Australia.

Unlike most books, this one focuses on the Outback and you will get to discover many hidden gems in Australia.

Through his backpacking journey in Australia, the author shows you what Australia is really like. It’s an authentic journey, away from the touristy spots and that’s what makes it so great.

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14. The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton

A great piece of literary fiction about Australia is The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton. This is another more recent story that was published in 2018. 

It’s about someone named Jaxie Clackton who escapes after his father was brutally killed. He ends up meeting a man while travelling alone on his search for peace. This is one of the best books about Western Australia and won an award for Best Australian Novel. 

Tim Winton is known for his fantastic storytelling, so no matter what kind of reader you are, you’ll most likely enjoy this tale. He’s also written a few other great novels about various topics. 

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15. The United States of Australia: An Aussie Bloke Explains Australia to Americans by Cameron Jamieson

For a lighthearted book that’s quick to get through about Australia, check out The United States of Australia: An Aussie Bloke Explains Australia to Americans by Cameron Jamieson

Throughout the book, you’ll learn all about what’s gone on between the United States and Australia and how a lot of Australians think regarding the USA. What’s so great is that Jamieson is actually married to an American, so a lot of it is about his own thoughts and what he’s been through! 

Even though this book is targeted towards Americans (and it says it right in the title), this is an excellent book for anyone looking for a more fun read on this list. 

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16. A Week with the Best Man by Ally Blake

If you are into contemporary romance, then the Australian author Ally Blake is a great option for you. She has written quite a few books set in Australia but the one I’ll mention here is A Week with the best man.

It’s about Harper, a strong and confident businesswoman who comes back to her hometown for her sister’s wedding.

As the title suggests, there will be a love story happening during that event but I won’t spoil it for you.

It’s a dual POV which makes it quite nice to read.

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There are so many great books about Australia, no matter what type of reader you are. Even if you only end up reading one book from this list, I hope you found it helpful when you’re trying to travel but can’t afford an expensive plane ticket.

Have you read any of these books? If not, which one do you most want to read?

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