Contemporary Aussie writers are making a splash around the globe, and we couldn’t be happier for these homegrown heroes. Whether you’re seeking “outback noir” or aching for a bit of life-changing advice, these offerings from renowned scribes sing in audio, thanks to talented narration.
Hugh van Cuylenburg
Educator and motivational speaker Hugh van Cuylenburg became a writer through his work with youth in underprivileged communities around the world. His extensive experience working with kids has shown him the power of a perspective rooted in gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness (a.k.a. GEM). In addition to his books, he co-hosts a podcast and works with professional sports teams. Cuylenburg recorded a lecture called GEM, expanding on the core principles he views as foundational to mental health. His undeniable charisma as a speaker makes the author-narrated The Resilience Project extra enjoyable to listen to.
Trent Dalton
Trent Dalton got his start as a journalist, and he has plenty of awards to prove the strength of his work. But it's his magic-infused fiction he's most beloved for in the literary world today. His fiction is marked by the same raw quality that made his journalism so impactful. It's no wonder his book Boy Swallows Universe translated so well to the screen, and it probably won't be long before more of his fiction gets the adaptation treatment. If you're looking for a place to start with Dalton's work, you can't go wrong with Audible Australia's 2025 Audiobook of the Year: Gravity Let Me Go.
Jane Harper
Recognised multiple times with awards from the likes of The Crime Writers' Association, Jane Harper is one of Australia's most popular crime writers. Her work has been described as "outback noir" for the way it blends classic noir with depictions of rural Australia. In fact, the setting is so sharply rendered in her works that it feels like a character unto itself. Her stand-alone novels are impressive enough, but her three-book Aaron Falk series (which kicks off with The Dry) is a great place to start your listening journey.
Jack Heath
If you're looking for an action-packed audiobook, Jack Heath is the author for you. He writes for adults and tweens alike, blending high-octane action and adventure with other genres, like science fiction or thrillers. He published his first book as a teenager and has, on average, published two books per year ever since. His works are characterised by their fast-paced sense of fun. His 2021 Audible Original Kill Your Brother is a gem, narrated by Hannah Monson, best known for her role in the supernatural TV series Glitch. If you'd prefer a series for younger listeners, start with the first book in his spooky Scream series, The Human Flytrap.
Sally Hepworth
A prolific writer known for her suspenseful fiction, Sally Hepworth didn't start out as a writer. In fact, it wasn't until she was on maternity leave after having her first child that she wrote what would become her first published novel. She repeated this creative process with her second child, and the rest is history. Her stories tend to have a strong focus on the lives of women, and she's a master at crafting intriguing mysteries. Her book The Good Sister received a Davitt Award in 2021; her latest thriller, Mad Mabel, was selected as one of Audible's top 20 listens of 2025.
Nam Le
Vietnamese Australian author Nam Le smashed the literary scene wide open in 2008 with his publication of The Boat. The collection of short stories won an astounding number of national and international literary prizes and put him on the map. Since then, his works have continued to explore war, diaspora, and culture in relation to Vietnam. In addition to fiction, Le recently published a debut book of poetry called 36 Ways of Writing a Vietnamese Poem. It's a short listen, clocking in at just over 75 minutes, but every verse will leave a lasting impression.
Liane Moriarty
Born in Sydney, where she continues to live today, Liane Moriarty is known for her blockbuster domestic thrillers. Her books are so captivating that, in addition to becoming chart-topping bestsellers, many have been developed into popular shows and films. Moriarty is exceptionally skilled at blending secrets and suburban settings in crime fiction, sometimes referred to as "domestic noir." Her book Big Little Lies has made the biggest splash, but works like Nine Perfect Strangers and Apples Never Fall are also popular. There's also her latest, the gripping airline mystery Here One Moment, which we don't recommend listening to before a flight.
Caroline Overington
Caroline Overington's capacity for storytelling translates to fiction, true crime, and investigative journalism. She's still an active journalist and has also worked on podcasts and documentaries. Her non-fiction criminal justice book Last Woman Hanged, narrated by esteemed theatre and voice actor Jennifer Vuletic, remains one of her most memorable: a moving, insightful examination of the tragic case of Louisa Collins, a woman executed in New South Wales in 1889. On the fiction side, her Audible Original Say No More centres on a pair of sisters—one stable, one chaotic—whose dark past threatens to catch up with them both.
Bruce Pascoe
Aboriginal (Kulin Nation Bunurong) writer Bruce Pascoe certainly made an impression on the literary scene with the release of his non-fiction book Dark Emu in 2014. Subtitled Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?, the book asserts the sophistication of Indigenous agricultural and land management practices prior to colonisation. Narrated by Pascoe himself, it's a powerful listen that continues to offer relevant commentary on settler colonialism today. Pascoe has continued to produce powerful non-fiction, but if you want to sample a wider range of Pascoe's writing, give Salt: Selected Stories and Essays a listen. Also narrated by the author, it'll broaden your understanding of the scope of his work.
J.P. Pomare
Māori (Ngā Puhi) writer J.P. Pomare crafts nail-biting psychological thrillers. His debut novel, Call Me Evie, put him on the literary charts in 2018. Since then, his books have continued to captivate Australian and international audiences alike. Home Before Night is another standout, with dynamic narration by acclaimed actors Aimee Horne and Ed Oxenbould; in his latest, A Chance Encounter, Maddy MacRae narrates the tale of an au pair who gets more than she bargained for when she accepts a position at the lush Italian villa of a handsome stranger.
Alice Pung
Born to Chinese parents who fled Cambodia as refugees, Alice Pung has published both fiction and non-fiction. Her insightful storytelling often grapples with issues of immigration and identity. While her memoirs and children's books have attracted considerable attention, her novel One Hundred Days is a dark fairy tale and arguably her most popular book. Pung's considerable literary accomplishments earned her the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Kim Scott
Kim Scott is an Aboriginal (Noongar) writer most known for his fiction, which brings together Noongar identity, history, and culture. His 1999 book Benang made him the first Indigenous writer to win the prestigious Miles Franklin Award. The gifted author won it again over a decade later for That Deadman Dance. While his novels gain the most attention (and for good reason), it's worth noting that Scott has also published short stories, children's books, and even non-fiction.
M.L. Stedman
M.L. Stedman was born and raised in Western Australia, and that love and familiarity shines in her debut novel, The Light Between Oceans. The book was so popular that it inspired a film adaptation in 2021, starring Michael Fassbender, Rachel Weisz, and Alicia Vikander. Lucky for the audiophiles out there, the audiobook is no less cinematic, with narration by Noah Taylor, the Australian actor known for his roles in Shine, Game of Thrones, and Peaky Blinders. Stedman's highly anticipated new novel, A Far-flung Life—a breathtaking epic set in the vast outback of Western Australia—is narrated by award-winning performer and screenwriter Lewis Fitz-Gerald.
Tim Winton
An avid conservationist and an internationally decorated writer, Tim Winton is a beloved literary icon in Australia. That's no exaggeration, either; in the late 1990s, the National Trust of Australia literally declared him a Living Treasure. He has crafted books for children and adults alike, and several of his works have been adapted for not only the screen but also the stage and the radio. Listening to his audiobooks is an almost poetic experience, and it won't take long for you to recognise the significant role Western Australia plays in his works. He's won so many awards that it's dizzying, but Cloudstreet—widely considered his most popular book—is a great place to start.
Alexis Wright
Alexis Wright is an Aboriginal (Waanyi) writer most widely acknowledged for her epic novels that blend real-world politics with what some describe as magical realism, or fabulism. Her 2006 novel Carpentaria was her most acclaimed work for nearly two decades, but her 2024 book Praiseworthy catapulted her into a whole new literary realm. Winning several awards, Praiseworthy made Wright the first person ever to win both the Stella Prize and the Miles Franklin Award in the same year. With a run time of more than 36 hours, the exceptional audiobook, narrated by Jacqui Katona, is an epic listeners won't soon forget.
Tyson Yunkaporta
Indigenous writer and scholar Tyson Yunkaporta (Apalech Clan) is best known for his unique and compelling blend of "yarning" (a traditional form of storytelling) and research. His work brings Indigenous epistemologies to bear on contemporary issues, lending a sense of urgency to his ideas. Whether you opt to listen to Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World or Right Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous Thinking, you'll have the privilege of listening to Yunkaporta's groundbreaking perspective, all narrated in his own voice.
Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak is globally renowned for his young adult fiction. His works tend to build from an inventive premise to deliver memorable (and sometimes heartbreaking) stories of humanity. Zusak’s stories have been recognised nationally and internationally and make for undeniably emotional listening experiences. One such example, The Book Thief, tells the tale of an orphan living in Nazi Germany. The novel continues to receive a lot of attention even two decades after its original publication. It's the poignancy at the heart of Zusak's books that makes listening to them so moving and so purely unforgettable.
Anne Mai Yee Jansen is a lifelong story lover who exists on a steady diet of books, hot chocolate, and dragon boating.
