Top 6 Australian Travel Books to Inspire and Inform

We share our top 6 Australian travel books for adults and kids. 

Planning a trip to Australia? When JZ and I first considered the opportunity to relocate to Sydney, I realized how little I knew about the country (apart from Crocodile Hunter).

My first step: read all I could about Australia and Sydney. Bill Bryson’s book piqued my interest in the country and with the actionable advice in Sydney Moving Guide, we decided to take the plunge and move.

Now we are in Sydney, many friends and family members ask about visiting or the wildlife. There are a few books I consistently recommend for both adults and children. So whether you are mapping out a potential relocation, Australian road trip or just want to teach your children about Australian animals, here are some books we highly recommend.

Our Favorite Australian Travel Books for Adults

1. In a Sunburned Country, Bill Bryson – I love travel writing and comedy writing, so a combination of the two is a must-read for me. I devoured this tongue-in-cheek and extremely informative recount of one American’s adventure through Australia. I laughed out aloud at several points in this book, unknowingly learned Australian history, and made notes for future travels. If you have ever watched even part of a cricket match, you will cry with laughter at his description – I still can’t read it without cracking up.
2. A Month of Sundays: How to Go Traveling without Leaving Town, James O-Loughlin – Another travel humor book, but from a Sydney-based author. The premise of this book is universal, but his examples are Sydney specific which made it extra interesting for me. O’Loughlin encourages us to become tourists in our own towns and go beyond our normal comfort zone. In an international destination, like Sydney, it is easy to become annoyed at the bumbling, ignorant tourists. However, it is just as easy to look around with the same awe and wonder to appreciate the vast diversity of your local area. For us, this book encouraged weekend explorations beyond our normal zones and into other interesting suburbs.
3. Top Walks in Australia, Melanie Ball – If you are thinking, “finally, a true guidebook!” You might be disappointed…or not. Bushwalking, or hiking, is a mainstay of Australian culture and JZ and I are huge fans of this weekend pastime. JZ received the book as a birthday present, but I probably read it more. We are avid hikers, and love this comprehensive guide to the country’s best walks, from multi-day treks to afternoon jaunts. With detailed descriptions, gorgeous photos, and helpful maps we will reference Top Walks for our entire time in Oz.

Australian Travel Books For Children

We love exploring the children’s section of our local library to teach CZ (and ourselves) about Australian floral and fauna. Unfortunately, most of the books are from the US or UK, but we occasionally stumble across Australian gems. We happily read all of the below repeatedly.

1. Possum Magic, Mem Fox – A classic Australian children’s book. The beautiful illustrations and sweet storyline magically mix with Australian animals and foods. It is a staple of Australian childhood (so I am told), and we hope CZ will continue to be fond of it for years to come. Men Fox wrote several other whimsical animal story books, that are also delightful.
2. Once I heard a Little Wombat, Renee Treml – One of the few board books I enjoy reading repeatedly. This lyrical rhyming book takes you on a journey through Australian animals, with a wallaby as your guide. CZ loves to act out the animals: hopping, jumping, and scratching. The scratchboard illustrations are the perfect combination of realistic and fanciful.
3. Alphabetical Sydney, Hillary Bell – A captivating, graphic book for anyone traveling to Sydney. The rhyming book is full of captivating collaged pictures, while reaming informative. It would be a great book for kids to help plan the family vacation or look through on the long plane ride.

What do you think? Are there any Australian favorites that we missed? I have heard good things about Girt: The Unauthorized History of Australia, but it’s more of a satirical history book than a travel one.

Let us know your favorite Australian book so we can read them too!