9 Sweeping Historical Fiction Books Set in Australia to Read Right Now
Filled with mystery and intrigue, these novels are your ticket to bygone eras in the land down under!
Golden deserts, lush rainforests, sparkling coastlines…Australia’s backdrop is almost as rich as its storied history. This breathtaking country is also the setting for countless historical fiction books, which offer a wide range of immersive stories for readers. So if you’re looking to escape into the past through an Australian lens, you’re in luck! Here, we hand-picked 9 must-read historical fiction books set in Australia that will sweep you away from the very first page. Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the outback, the vastness of the Nullarbor Plain—where the desert meets the sea—or the dazzling beaches of Bondi and beyond, there’s something for everyone.
Continue scrolling for all of our compelling recommendations set in the land down under!
‘Homecoming’ by Kate Morton
Homecoming by Kate Morton is an enthralling tale of secrets, family ties and mystery that stretches across time and oceans. In this gripping novel, Jess, a journalist, returns to her Australian roots to care for her ailing grandmother. While there, she stumbles upon an old book that recounts a chilling murder that took place on Christmas Eve, 1959. The case has always haunted her, but what unsettles Jess even more is the discovery of an eerie link between her own family and the victims. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery of this long-forgotten crime.
What readers are saying: “Prepare to take a trip Down Under. Never been? Neither have I, but after reading Kate Morton’s Homecoming, I can describe the sights, sounds and shops of Tambilla, nestled in the rolling Adelaide Hills, as if I’ve strolled through the fictional town myself. Turns out, this beautiful area of Southern Australia is home to the author. The care and attention to detail shows that it’s a place Morton not only knows well, but deeply loves. Her lush, atmospheric writing is sublime!”
‘Ship of Brides’ by Jojo Moyes
Jojo Moyes is the New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars and Me Before You—and Ship of Brides remains a quiet favorite among her fans. In 1946, World War II is over and young women from across the world start to fulfill the promises they made to the men they wed in wartime. In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other war brides on a sweeping voyage to England. They are all aboard HMS Victoria, which is also carrying arms, aircraft and 1,000 naval officers. On the journey, the men and women find their lives intersecting as they meet, talk and travel the open seas. For one woman named Frances Mackenzie, her past circles back to haunt her and this trip will alter her life in ways she never imagined.
What readers are saying: “Opening Line: ‘The first time I saw her again, I felt as if I’d been hit.’ I absolutely loved this book, another winner from JoJo Moyes who bases this moving story on real events (and her own grandmother). The story takes the reader back to 1946 in the aftermath of the Second World War as thousands of young war brides are transported from Australia to England to meet up with their GI husbands. The writing is fantastic and by the end I felt like I really knew these women and wondered how their lives had turned out, in fact, I didn’t want to let them go.”
‘The Thorn Birds’ by Colleen McCullough
Described as “a heart-rending epic,” The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough remains one of the most beloved Australian novels of all time. McCullough’s novel was first released in 1979 and adapted for TV in 1983 as a miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward. The sweeping saga set in the Australian Outback follows three generations of Clearys, a hard-working family of ranchers balancing struggles, sacrifices, secrets and love.
What readers are saying: “I think I read this for the first time in 4th grade. My father is an ex-Catholic priest who left the church for my mother, so when the mini series came out, the world stopped in my house for an entire week. It’s an epic saga about an Irish farming family who relocated to Australia to help work at an ailing aunt’s ranch. The book spans some 40+ years of hardships they encounter. The only daughter, Meggie, falls in love with a local parish priest who has ambitions of Rome and is constantly tempted by her seductions. It’s a tearjerker of a classic and I’m not ashamed to say I love it.”
‘The Exiles’ by Cristina Baker Kline
This heartfelt, emotionally rich novel set in the 19th century follows Evangeline, an unwed governess, who gets pregnant and is sent from London to a penal colony in Australia. On her journey, she befriends Hazel and later meets Mathinna, the orphaned daughter of an Aboriginal chief whose land is being seized by British colonists. Together, the women find friendship and grace amid change and hardship.
What readers are saying: “Ever since visiting Australia in 1995, I have been fascinated by this country and its people, from the native Aborigines and their intriguing culture to the convicts who were forcibly transported and made to settle in this strange, unforgiving land. If you enjoy heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping, outstanding historical fiction with unexpected plot twists and strong characters, then I highly recommend this book!”
‘The Woman in the Green Dress’ by Tea Cooper
Set in the wilds of Australia? Check! Sprinkled with danger? Check! Infused with mystery and romance? Double check! This magnificent dual-timeline novel by Tea Cooper is set in Sydney and the Hawkesbury region. In 1919, Fleur Richards cannot wait for her new husband to return from the Great War—their whirlwind romance has captured her heart. But when she receives devastating news of his death on Armistice Day and learns about his family fortune, she’s shocked. She refuses to accept this money and heads to his beloved Australia to search for relatives. Here, she finds herself the sole owner of a rundown farm and a small curio shop filled with ancient artifacts, preserved creatures and mysterious treasures. Soon, Fleur begins unraveling a mystery from 60 years ago—a mystery about an opal and a sinister woman in a green dress.
What readers are saying: “The Woman in the Green Dress is another breathtaking historical fiction novel by Aussie author Tea Cooper. Set in and around Sydney, the Hawkesbury River and Wiseman’s Ferry, even the train trip from Sydney to Brooklyn, all so familiar. The historical note at the end is fascinating, showing how fact fed fiction, with information about certain characters and places. I loved the two time frames—1853 and 1919—and enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside, laughing jackasses/kookaburras, even the different items in the curio shop. All in all, The Woman in the Green Dress is one I highly recommend.”
‘The Mystery Woman’ by Belinda Alexandra
Secrets, lies and scandals abound in this bestselling novel written by Belinda Alexandra. In 1950s Australia, Rebecca Wood flees to a small seaside town to escape a scandal in Sydney. But when someone winds up dead, things change. Now Rebecca finds herself distracted by a local doctor and the enigmatic resident who was supposedly a Nazi spy. What follows is a battle of trusting one’s gut and knowing that the best is yet to come.
What readers are saying: “An amazing and compelling story with complex characters, mystery, scandal, romance and intrigue. The Mystery Woman took me on a journey of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page! Another fantastic book from one of my favorite Australian authors.”
‘The Butterfly Collector’ by Tea Cooper
This dual timeline tale is a historical mystery spanning 1868 and 1922 Australia that is impossible to put down. Morpeth Theodora Breckenridge, reeling from the loss of her parents and brother, throws herself into managing her family’s estate—especially after discovering a never-before-seen butterfly. But when her maid Clarrie’s baby goes missing, that all changes. Flash forward to 1922 Sydney, when Verity Binks is invited to a butterfly costume party. While there, she gets asked to write a story on the Treadwell Foundation, which supports disgraced young women and their babies. But nothing can prepare her for what she discovers. A timeless tale of drama, intrigue, loyalty and family.
What readers are saying: “The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper is a wonderful novel full of rich historical insight and detail. This highly descriptive story seamlessly blends together two different timelines and kept me until the satisfying ending.”
‘The Land Girls’ by Victoria Purman
From bestselling author Victoria Purman comes another tale about love, loss and friendship. Set in Melbourne, 1942, this story begins after spinster Flora Thomas finds herself at the Mildura countryside, as a member of the Australian Women’s Land Army. There, she meets Lilian, Betty and Adelaide, two young girls with sad stories who begin to help Flora feel stronger than she’s felt in a while. But as the war begins to rage in Europe, the three women are soon forced to figure out what really matters to them. This novel is perfect for fans of moving World War II novels.
What readers are saying: “This story will draw you straight into the 1940s world as we meet three young ladies from very different walks of life living in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. The author’s reference to this era was wonderful and, in my mind, very accurate to everything I have ever read or watched about this time in our history. You could almost feel the pain and anguish the girls here experienced during this book, with their ups and downs while doing their part in the war efforts.”
‘The Secret River’ by Kate Grenville
From Orange Prize-winning author Kate Grenville comes an eye-opening book about her family. In 1806, William Thornhill was deported from London to New South Wales, which would soon become Australia. Determined to make the most of it, Thornhill heads to the Hawkesbury River only to discover that the natives aren’t as welcoming as he would have hoped. What follows is a battle of love, strength and standing up for what you believe in.
What readers are saying: “The book is powerful with wonderful metaphors. Grenville isn’t out to please us, but to clearly paint the uneasy co-existence of the whites and the Aborigines. Violent and gritty, the book shows us xenophobia at its zenith.”
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