3 Reasons Why You Should Read Ningaloo by Tim Winton, Illustrated by Cindy Lane

What’s the book about?

In the north of Western Australia, where the desert meets the sea, lies one of the last great wild regions on earth. The First Peoples of the region call it Nyinggulu. The rest of the world knows it as Ningaloo.

Join award-winning author and passionate conservationist Tim Winton and watercolourist Cindy Lane as they dive into this incredible part of the world. From enormous whale sharks to minuscule Cape Range Millipedes, and from colourful coral reefs to muddy mangroves, the biodiversity and interconnectedness of each distinctive ecosystem will fill young readers with wonder and awe.

Most importantly, as the next generation of custodians of Ningaloo, they’ll discover how to support and protect the region in the years to come.

Recommended for:

Ages 5+

Three reasons to read it: 

1. In the north of Western Australia, there’s a spectacular coastline where the dry red desert crashes into a glittering blue ocean. It’s a place the First Peoples call Nyinggulu, and others know as Ningaloo. This rare mix of environments makes it one of the last truly wild places on Earth, and the book lets you explore it through the eyes of those who love it most.
2. Lane’s watercolour illustrations are realistic and layered, showing coral reefs, desert cliffs, seagrass beds and marine life in a way that feels like you’re diving straight into the page. Every picture is filled with colour, detail, and movement, helping young readers connect emotionally with the land and sea.
3. As Winton says, young people are the future caretakers of Ningaloo. This book encourages kids to be curious, protective, and proud of places like it. It’s not just a story; it’s a gentle invitation to take action and help preserve wild places for generations to come.

Buy a copy of Ningaloo here.

About the author:

Tim Winton was born in Perth, Australia in 1960. A four-time winner of the Miles Franklin Award and shortlisted twice for the Booker Prize, Winton is a bestselling author whose work has been adapted for the stage and screen and is widely translated.

Cindy Lane is a Perth-based artist, illustrator and children’s book creator. Her first picture book, Great White Shark (written by Claire Saxby), won the Royal Zoological Society of NSW Whitely Award Best Children’s Book for 2022, and Cindy was listed on the CBCA Shortlist for New Illustrator in 2022.