One of the great privileges of growing up in Australia is being able to enjoy our great outdoors. I have so many memories of our times gold panning with the kids in random creeks, climbing huge rocks, and swimming at incredible beaches. You do not need to leave our country to experience diverse environments. We have oceans, mountains, reefs, geological marvels, rivers, lakes, creeks, dormant volcanoes and more.
Of course, some of these places are thousands of kilometres away, so reading about them with your kids before you head out to explore is great preparation.
This month I have pored through our home library and checked out the publishers’ lists for picture books that celebrate the Australian outdoors. I hope we find one or two you would love.
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- Jetty Jumping – Andrea Rowe
- Playground – Nadia Wheatley
- Perfect – Danny Parker
- Footprint – Phil Cummings
- Bushlandia – Rebecca Mola
- Rain on the Rock – Jodi Toering
- Ningaloo – Tim Winton
- Over or Under? – Pip Harry
- An Amazing Australian Camping Trip – Jackie Hosking
- Welcome to Country – Aunty Joy Murphy
- Dirt by Sea – Michael Wagner
- Hello from Nowhere – Raewyn Caisley
Jetty Jumping – Andrea Rowe
Table of Contents
While her friends leap fearlessly from the jetty, Milla clings to the hot wooden boards, uneasy about the unknown beneath the water. An unexpected tumble plunges her into the depths, where she discovers a hidden underwater world more beautiful than she ever imagined.
This gentle, summery story celebrates childhood courage, facing fears, and the magic that can be found when we dare to let go.
Playground – Nadia Wheatley
Drawing together voices from across generations, this powerful collection shares true stories of Aboriginal childhood shaped by land, family, and community. Through a blend of historical and contemporary photographs, artworks by Indigenous artists, and vibrant illustrations, readers gain insight into childhood experiences both past and present.
The stories reflect learning through Country, fishing, gathering bush tucker, participating in ceremonies, and spending long days outdoors playing, exploring, and building cubbies. Alongside the freedom of childhood runs a strong sense of responsibility, respect, and sharing, with family and community at the heart of every memory.
Contributions from Elders, community leaders, artists, and young people reveal how connection to Country remains a vital source of knowledge, even for those now living in urban settings. Together, these stories offer gentle wisdom about caring for one another and for the land we all share.
Perfect – Danny Parker
This book lingers in the slow, sun-soaked rhythm of a truly perfect day. Time stretches gently as children fill their hours with simple pleasures: drawing with chalk, flying kites, exploring the shoreline, paddling in the water, climbing, and letting their imaginations wander. As the day drifts on, there’s the quiet reassurance of rest waiting at its end.
With tender, evocative text and luminous artwork, this story celebrates the freedom, creativity, and unhurried joy of childhood by the sea. It’s a soothing, sensory-rich reminder of how magical an ordinary day outdoors can be.
Footprint – Phil Cummings
This lyrical picture book invites children to slow down, breathe deeply, and consider their place in the natural world. Through poetic language and breathtaking illustrations, young readers are encouraged to move thoughtfully through forests, mountains, fields, and cities, reflecting on how even small actions can shape the future of the planet.
With a calm, mindful tone, the story fosters a sense of care, responsibility, and hope, empowering children to see themselves as gentle guardians of the environment. It’s a thoughtful companion for families beginning conversations about nature, connection, and looking after the world around us
Bushlandia – Rebecca Mola
With the long summer holidays stretching ahead, a group of children head into the bush in search of adventure. What begins as a simple walk quickly turns into something magical as they create their own nature-made town, where logs, rocks, and clearings are transformed through creativity and play.
As their bushland world grows, the children learn to collaborate, care for the environment, and tread lightly on the land. Blending imaginative play with gentle environmental lessons, this story celebrates the joy of outdoor exploration and encourages young readers to see themselves as thoughtful caretakers of the natural world.
Rain on the Rock – Jodi Toering
Towering above the desert, Uluṟu rests deeply connected to the red earth that surrounds it. Most days, the land lies quiet under the heat, but when rain finally arrives, everything changes. Water spills down the rock face, life awakens, and the landscape is transformed before our eyes.
Through rich, evocative language and imagery grounded in Aṉangu perspectives, this book reveals the rare and powerful moments when Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa come alive during the rain events. It’s a moving celebration of Country, nature’s cycles, and the extraordinary beauty of one of Australia’s most significant places.
Ningaloo – Tim Winton
Where desert landscapes meet the ocean in northern Western Australia lies Ningaloo (known to its First Peoples as Nyinggulu), one of the planet’s most extraordinary natural regions. This beautifully illustrated book invites children to explore its rich and interconnected ecosystems, from coral reefs and mangroves to arid ranges and coastal plains.
Through vivid watercolour artwork and engaging nonfiction storytelling, young readers encounter an astonishing diversity of life, from gentle whale sharks to tiny desert creatures.
Alongside its celebration of biodiversity, the book encourages children to think about conservation and their own role in caring for Australia’s precious environments. An inspiring and accessible introduction to one of the country’s great natural wonders, ideal for curious young nature lovers.
Over or Under? – Pip Harry
At the beach with her dad, Maisie learns that not all waves are the same. The little ones are easy to jump, but the bigger waves further out call for a different kind of courage, knowing when to dive beneath and trust the water. With Dad’s steady support beside her, Maisie begins to build confidence in the ocean and in herself.
This tender picture book captures the small but meaningful moments of learning, bravery, and connection that unfold during a day by the sea, celebrating both growing independence and the reassurance of a guiding hand.
An Amazing Australian Camping Trip – Jackie Hosking
The much-loved family from An Amazing Australian Road Trip return for another adventure — this time swapping highways for tents. Setting off from Melbourne on a camping journey east, they’re on the hunt for a mysterious Australian creature that Aunty hopes to capture in paint.
Along the way, the family encounters a host of familiar and surprising animals, but the elusive beast remains just out of reach. With humour, rhyme, and plenty of Aussie wildlife, this lively story celebrates camping adventures, curiosity, and the joy of exploring the great outdoors together.
Welcome to Country – Aunty Joy Murphy
Created by respected Elder Aunty Joy Murphy and brought to life through the artwork of Indigenous artist Lisa Kennedy, this picture book offers a heartfelt Welcome to Country for young readers. It introduces children to the deep connection between the Wurundjeri People and their land, emphasising belonging, care, and respect for Country.
Through warm words and evocative illustrations, the book invites families to listen, learn, and reflect on the importance of understanding whose land we are on. It’s a meaningful introduction to First Nations perspectives and an essential story for sharing with children as they explore the world around them.
Dirt by Sea – Michael Wagner
Join Daisy and her dad on a memorable road trip along Australia’s stunning coastline! Living inland, Daisy has never seen the beach, and this adventure opens her eyes to the wonders of sand, sea, and coastal life.
Filled with discovery, laughter, and the special bond between father and daughter, this story celebrates family, travel, and the excitement of exploring new places. With a handy journey map in the endpapers, it’s also perfect for inspiring kids to imagine their own Aussie adventures.
Hello from Nowhere – Raewyn Caisley
Set in the heart of the Australian outback, this tender story celebrates the special bond between a grandparent and a grandchild. Eve loves her life at a remote roadhouse on the Nullarbor, but she has missed her Nan ever since leaving the city.
When Nan finally visits, Eve eagerly shares all the wonders of her wide-open world — from the endless skies to the unique sights of outback life. A warm, heartfelt tale that highlights family connections, the beauty of remote Australia, and the joy of sharing one’s home with someone you love.