Australian folk tales can be traced back tens of thousands of years. The folklore of the Aborigine was and remains the foundation of their culture and identity because it is used as a means to retain their laws, faith and knowledge of plants, animals and the land. Writer K. Langloh Parker, earned the trust of the Narran Tribe, and that is how many aboriginal stories were first collected and imparted to the rest of the world with her collection, Australian Legendary Tales, followed by More Australian Legendary Tales, both of which are collected here. Andrew Lang also collected and included the region’s folk tales in his Rainbow Fairy Books.

Australian folk tales are largely indigenous with fantastical and terrifying creatures. Many of the folk tales however, are non-indigenous and reflect the expansion of European settlements across Australia with stories of gold miners and drovers, otherwise known as cattle herders. The folk tales paint a picture of a resilient and independent people, who rise to any challenge and are not afraid to confront and oppose authority.


Australian Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Fables List:
Bahloo the Moon and the Daens
Bootoolgah the Crane and Goonur the Kangaroo Rat, the Fire Makers
The Bunyip
The Bunbundoolooeys
The Borah of Byamee
Bunnyyarl the Flies and Wurrunnunnah the Bees
Bougoodoogahdah the Rain Bird
Beereeun the Mirage Maker
Bohrah the Kangaroo and Dinewan the Emu
Brälgah the Dancing Bird
The Cookooburrahs and the Goolahgool
The Crane and the Crow
Dinewan the Emu, and Goomblegubbon the Bustard
Deereeree the Wagtail, and the Rainbow
Dinewan the Emu and Wahn the Crows
Deegeenboyah the Soldier-Bird
A Fish Story
The Galah, and Oolah the Lizard
Gooloo the Magpie, and the Wahroogah
The Gwineeboos the Redbreasts
Goolahwilleel the Topknot Pigeons
Goomblegubbon, Beeargah and Ouyan
Goonur the Woman-Doctor
Gheeger Gheeger the Cold West Wind
Bilber and Mayrah
Gayardaree the Platypus
How the Sun was Made
How Mungghee, or Mussels, were Brought to the Creeks
Meamei the Seven Sisters
The Mayamah
Mullyangah the Morning Star
Mooregoo the Mopoke and Bahloo the Moon
Mayrah, the Wind That Blows the Winter Away
Mungoongarlee the Iguana and Ouyouboolooey the Black Snake
Narahdarn the Bat
The Origin of the Narran Lake
Oongnairwah and Guinarey
Ouyan the Curlew
Pivi and Kabo
Piggiebillah the Porcupine
Sturt's Desert Pea, the Bloodflower
The Weeoonibeens and the Piggiebillah
Weedah the Mocking Bird
Wirreenun the Rainmaker
The Weeoonibeens and the Piggiebillah
Wayambeh the Turtle
Wurrunnah's Trip to the Sea
Walloobahl the Bark Lizard
Wayambeh the Turtle and Woggoon the Turkey
Where the Frost Comes From