Australian Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Fables

Awesome 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.

Awesome 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