Great Literature to Read as you Travel in AustraliaReading wonderful literature about the place you are travelling to or are currently in, is a wonderful way to learn and enhance your enjoyment of that place. The following is a list of books which our family have read and enjoyed as we travel, or books which come highly recommended to us from other sources. We trust that you and your family will enjoy them too! We have provided suggested ages for most literature, but please use your discretion as you select books for your unique family. (For instance, some 4 year olds will be happy to listen to books suggested for much older children). Click here for practical suggestions on including reading in your travels or for ideas on teaching your child to read. Great Literature to Read - By LocationAustralia or Multiple StatesBy Alison Lester A family tows a van on a three-month trip around Australia. Enjoy the narration by eight year old Grace as she describes the landmarks and activities they enjoy. Appealing and engaging illustrations. Ages 5-9. By Jackie French The story of the famous Burke and Wills expedition...as it has never been told before. The humans called him Bell Sing, but to the other camels he is known as 'He Who Spits Further Than the Wind'. Transported from the mountains and deserts of the Northwest Frontier (present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), Bell Sing accompanies explorers Burke and Wills as they try to cross Australia from south to north. Bell Sing has never had a high opinion of humans - or horses. And this expedition is the worst managed caravan he's even been in. Camel handler Dost Mahomet and soldier John King are also beginning to wonder if their leader is competent, or crazy. Bell Sing can smell water over the sandhills on the horizon...and freedom too. Can the expedition succeed? And who, if anyone, will survive? This is the gritty and true story of one of the most extraordinary and iconic events in Australia's history. Age 9-13. 
Mr Stuart's Track - John Bailey (Age 14-Adult)A vivid and compelling account of one of Australia's greatest explorers, John McDouall Stuart, as he races to cross the continent. Western AustraliaOutbackA Fortunate Life By A.B. Facey (Age 10-17yrs) Broome The Fishy Field Trip - A Magic Schoolbus Chapter Book By Martin Schwabacher and Hope Gangloff Coral reefs and the fish that inhabit them. (Age 5-12yrs) Kimberley Kings in Grass Castles By Mary Durack QueenslandGreat Barrier ReefThe Fishy Field Trip - A Magic Schoolbus Chapter Book By Martin Schwabacher and Hope Gangloff Coral reefs and the fish that inhabit them. (Age 5-12yrs) VictoriaNew South WalesThe SnowyThe Snowy, Cabramurra 1958: The Story of Eva Fischer (My Story Series.) By Siobhan McHugh Eva Fischer has moved to the top of the world - Cabramurra, the highest town in Australia. The Snowy Mountains Scheme is under way, huge dams have been built, tunnels constructed, homes abandoned, and people lost. This is a tale about life amongst post-war migrants working on the scheme. (Age 10 and up.) The Goldfields The Goldseekers By Greg Bastian A fascinating story of the goldfields, the hardships, injustices and triumphs of the human spirit. Ages 10-14. South AustraliaCoorongStorm Boy By Colin Thiele A classic Australian story, illustrated with paintings by renowned artist Robert Ingpen that capture the wave-beaten shore and the windswept sandhills of the Coorong in South Australia, home of Storm Boy and the pelican, Mr Percival. Ages 8+. Coorong Captive - Colin Thiele (Age 7-14yrs) Flinders Ranges Outback: The Diary of Jimmy Porter (My Australian Story) By Christine Harris Jimmy Porter has moved to stay with relatives in central Australia. Outback life in 1927 is tough and communication with anywhere else is nonexistent. Jimmy gradually begins to appreciate the beauty of the outback and the resilient people living there and when disaster strikes he witnesses the importance of the Flying Doctor. Ages 10+. TasmaniaNorthern TerritoryDarwinThe Bombing of Darwin. WWII, Darwin 1942. (My Story Series) By Alan Tucker When fourteen-year-old Tom moves to Darwin with his family, he hardly guesses that tragedy will soon change his life forever. Although he helps dig slit trenches, and the Japanese edge closer through Malaya and Singapore, the war seems far away. Ages 10+. Cyclone Tracy, Darwin 1974 (My Australian Story) By Alan Tucker Ryan and his best friend Nev, both love fishing. They spend all their spare time at the wharf or out on Darwin Harbour, fishing for barra, and keeping an eye on the weather. But when Ryan makes a new friend, his Dad is not pleased. But troubles with Dad are nothing compared with what lies ahead, when Cyclone Tracy hits. Ages 10+. Red Centre Outback: The Diary of Jimmy Porter (My Australian Story) By Christine Harris Jimmy Porter has moved to stay with relatives in central Australia. Outback life in 1927 is tough and communication with anywhere else is nonexistent. Jimmy gradually begins to appreciate the beauty of the outback and the resilient people living there and when disaster strikes he witnesses the importance of the Flying Doctor. Ages 10+. Mataranka We of the Never-Never By Mrs Aeneas Gunn At the turn of the century Australia was still a very young country, in a land as old as time. Few had ventured far from the growing cities and towns of the coast, into that vast heart of Australia the great Outback. We of the Never Never, an Australian classic novel, tells of Jeannie and Aeneas Gunn, a man and his bride who trek to a place where wives are seldom seen, and even less accepted. Enduring hardships and battling against the sexist and racial prejudice of the Australian outback environment this extraordinary woman strives to win the friendship and respect of those about her. Australian Capital Territory
Great Literature to Read - By Subject
Plants and AnimalsThe Wonderland of Nature - Nuri MassInsects and other small animals, plants, the seashore. Opal and other treasures in Australia, rocks, weather, and remarkable everyday things (such as electricity, light, sound and magnetism). Highly recommended. Fish & Coral The Fishy Field Trip - A Magic Schoolbus science chapter book By Martin Schwabacher and Hope Gangloff Coral reefs and the fish that inhabit them. (Age 5-12yrs) Bats The Truth about Bats (A magic school bus science chapter book) By Eva Moore, Joanna Cole, Ted Enik (Age 5-12yrs) Insects Insect Invaders (A magic school bus science chapter book) By Anne Capeci and John Speirs When Wanda brings her new ladybugs to school, she just wants Ms. Frizzle to give her some hints on caring for her insect pets, but instead, the whole class gets a field trip to learn about different insects. Original. (Age 5-12yrs) Various Australian animals Food Chain Frenzy (A magic school bus science chapter book) By Anne Capeci and John Speirs Arnold and the rest of Ms. Frizzle's class know they are heading for an exciting food chain field trip when their teacher arrives at school wearing a dress covered with plants and animals. (Age 5-12yrs) Other Science eg, Astronomy & GeologyStormsElectric Storm (The magic school bus science chapter book) By Anne Capeci and Hope Gangloff (illustrations) Keesha and the rest of Ms. Frizzle's class, after a boring lesson about weather, are gearing up for an exciting trip through the world of electricity when they collectively become a bolt of lightning. Space Space Explorers (The magic school bus science chapter book) By Joanna Cole, Eva Moore, Ted Enik (Age 5-12yrs) Geology Aboriginals
Walkabout - James Vance Marshall (Age 10-Adult)The classic bestseller about survival in the outback. Australia's HistoryExplorationBy Jackie French Captain Cook's goat had already sailed around the world before it went on its first voyage with Cook, and helped save everyone on board the ship from scurvy. As well as telling the story of this less-than- famous goat, the book looks at the great sea explorations of the eighteenth century, including Cook's voyage to Australia. Age 9-13. PoetryAuthor: Philip R. Rush
The Man From Snowy River - Banjo PattersonAudioOodnadatta TrackThe Living Oodnadatta Track - Northern Regional Developoment Board, South Australian Tourism Commission and Malcolm McKinnon, 2007. The Oodnadatta Track in South Australia's far north is one of Australia's most significant heritage routes. It's a land of stories, built up over time and layered one upon another. This audio guide offers insights into the heritage, culture and ecology of the places and country along the Track. Mostly, you'll hear the voices of people who actually live and work along the Track. Enjoy listening to these stories as you travel and develop a deeper appreciation of the life and land to be found along the Oodnadatta Track. We purchased this CD at Hawker Motors, a service station in Hawker, SA, just south of the Oodnadatta Track. Cost $9.95. We also saw copies available in the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta.  We're currently updating our favourite things to do in Australia. Experience the true Australian Outback on the Gibb River Road, WA  Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin, NT Explore the historic Oodnadatta Track, SA  Climb Mount Kosciuszko, NSW Safe (& FREE) places to cool off in Darwin, NT  The best of Litchfield National Park, NT Be tempted at the Barossa Valley Farmers Market, SA Surf Wave Rock, WA  Back from Literature to Travel School
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White Divers of Broome - John Bailey
