“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.”
Australia is known as the land of chilled-out surfers, beers, barbecues, cricket, and a whole slew of freakish animals capable of killing us in a myriad of ways. And yet, there is so much more to the sixth-largest country in the world. From the Outback to the Opera House, Australia draws visitors with its incredible biodiversity, stunning vibrancy, and contemporary cityscapes, making it one of the world’s most-visited destinations. Join us at What We Reading as we present the best Australia books for your next trip! Whether you’re looking for inspiration or practical planners, these reads will entice you to the land Down Under!
Lonely Planet Best Of Australia – Lonely Planet
The best collection of travel tips from the number one travel publisher kicks off our list of Australia books from Lonely Planet.
From Sydney Harbour to the Great Barrier Reef, their Best of Australia edition is designed to be the ultimate travel companion for readers trekking Down Under. With high-colour imagery, itineraries, a pull-out map, essential information, honest reviews, and cultural pointers, everything is condensed in this one handy guide. Best of Australia covers Sydney, Blue Mountains, Canberra, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Melbourne, Hobart, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Adelaide & South Australia, Perth & Margaret River, Kakadu National Park—covering all the most popular attractions and destinations for those looking to see everything the country has to offer.
Down Under – Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson has carved out a renowned career, offering readers travelogues on countries we all think we know, only to see them in entirely new lights, thanks to his sharp cynicism and infectious affection.
Trekking from state to state, Bryson brings to life the extremities of Australia’s flora, fauna, and sometimes otherworldly critters. From sociopathic jellyfish and toilet-dwelling death spiders to deadly shrubs, he juxtaposes these climate extremes with the ever-cool, laid-back locals. Down Under remains one of Bryson’s finest works and is sure to be an inspiring read for anyone looking to learn more about this paradoxical and strange land.
Australian Wanderlust: Discovering Authentic Australia – Emily L. Thorndike
Seeking an Australian travel book that ventures beyond the tried-and-tested attractions, promising an authentic experience? Emily L. Thorndike offers readers a user-friendly layout, up-to-date information, flexible itineraries, and stunning full-colour images that capture the extraordinary Australian continent, inspiring your next trip.
Australian Wanderlust provides up-to-date insights on popular destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Blue Mountains, Cairns, and Canberra. It goes further by offering a comprehensive guide to offbeat and hidden attractions. From delving into the history and stunning biodiversity to exploring Aboriginal culture and finding the best spots for a shopping spree, navigating the country is a breeze with this travel guide.
Travel: The Long Hitch Home – Maslin Jamie
Rogue wanderer Maslin Jamie delivers one of the most extraordinary travelogues in his 2015 book, The Long Hitch Home. Spanning 18 thousand miles, four seasons, three continents, and 19 countries, it follows him on his journey as he attempts to answer the question: ‘How many hitchhiking rides does it take to travel from Tasmania to London?’
Giving readers incredible insight into what it’s really like to live life on the road, Jamie maps the blistering deserts, freezing mountaintops, tropical jungles, and barren steppes as he picks up over 800 hitchhikes. ‘The Long Hitch Home’ takes readers into the off-beat destinations and backstreets of places most would never dream of visiting. It hilariously tells jam-packed, well-researched social, cultural, and historical commentaries from the countries he visited. Additionally, it includes heart-pumping accounts of the sometimes life-threatening threats he faced on his journey.It is travel writing that encapsulates the spirit of adventure.
Terra Nullius: A Journey Through No One’s Land – Sven Lindqvist
Sven Lindqvist provides an illuminating dive into the history of Aboriginal culture and the harrowing efforts made by colonisers to create a white Australia in Terra Nullius.
In a travelogue spanning over 7,000 miles, Lindqvist reflects on Australia’s violent past at the places where over nine-tenths of the original inhabitants of the continent were wiped out. It is an evocative and, at times, harrowing read, but undoubtedly one of the best Australia books for shedding light on how and where the stunning modern society it possesses now comes from. Simultaneously, Terra Nullius is also a wonderful book, celebrating a sacred and beautiful country home to incredible art and cultures. Powerful and inspiring, this historical excavation is undoubtedly an invaluable resource in unearthing the full scope of the continent’s history.
Australian Wildlife: A Visitor’s Guide – Stella Martin
Australia remains one of the most alluring destinations for wildlife-focused travellers, and writer Stella Martin condenses all the incredible vibrancy and diversity the ancient continent has to offer in her travel guide, Australian Wildlife: A Visitor’s Guide.
Eucalyptus-dotted woodlands and the vivid, awe-inspiring beauty of the coral reefs characterize Australian Wildlife, a detailed resource with essential on-the-ground information, making it an invaluable travel companion for all nature lovers. Taking readers through stretches of untouched deserts and into the heart of lush rainforests, Martin explores and marvels at how such incredible and bizarre creatures have evolved and flourished right across the country.
The Monocle Travel Guide to Sydney (The Monocle Travel Guide Series) – Tyler Brule
Tyler Brule takes readers beyond the Opera House and into a genuine experience of the largest city in Oceania with The Monocle Travel Guide to Sydney. From Bondi Beach to the Blue Mountains, Sydney is Australia’s most famous destination, boasting a mishmash of cool urban designs and classic refinement.
Brule’s book immerses readers in the sights and sounds of the waterfront and some of the best beaches in the world, the exquisite delicacies on offer at Darling Harbour, and the quirky hipness of Kings Cross. Offering the latest information and tips on the best excursions in the area, as well as a whole slew of hidden gems only the locals know about, there’s no other book a reader needs to sample all there is to see in Sydney.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
