The Best Audiobooks For A School Holiday Road Trip

 

The Winter school holidays are about to kick off in Victoria (7 July), so if you’re planning a family road trip, here’s a selection of our favourite family-friendly audiobooks to keep you entertained along the way.

Audiobooks for 3-7 year olds

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

A clever mouse outwits predators in the deep, dark wood by inventing a fearsome creature – the Gruffalo.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Join Pooh and friends in the Hundred Acre Wood for timeless adventures filled with warmth and wisdom.

Where’s Spot? and Other Stories by Eric Hill

Delight in the adventures of Spot the puppy in this collection of interactive tales.

Audiobooks for 8-12 year olds

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Follow Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he embarks on a journey to become a true Viking hero.

Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart

Experience the hilarious antics of Bunny and Monkey as they battle for control of the forest.

Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 Greek Myths by Lucy Coats

Journey with Atticus as he shares captivating Greek myths across ancient lands.

Audiobooks for Teens and Adults

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Explore parallel universes in this epic fantasy trilogy that challenges the boundaries of reality.

1984 by George Orwell

Dive into a dystopian world where Big Brother watches every move, and individuality is suppressed.

Audiobooks Set for Explosive Growth

The audiobook industry is booming, with global sales tipped to grow by an impressive 26 percent annually. This surge is being fuelled by a combination of rising listener numbers, innovative technology and the growing popularity of subscription-based models.

A Rapidly Expanding Audience

Deloitte forecasts that 270 million people worldwide will be tuning into audiobooks each month, representing a 15 percent increase on last year. They suggest Audiobooks are expected to make up around six percent of all book sales globally, signalling a shift in how audiences consume literature.

Subscriptions Changing the Game

Platforms such as Audible, Spotify, Storytel and Scribd are at the forefront of the audiobook revolution. By offering massive libraries through subscription services, these platforms are bringing audiobooks into the mainstream and reshaping the publishing landscape.

Untapped Global Potential

Companies are also exploring opportunities beyond English-speaking markets via the huge potential in developing local-language catalogues in order to attract new listeners and broaden the industry’s reach.

Direct Relationships

Discoverability and user experience is essential. Experts suggest that publishers could benefit from owning their own platforms, allowing them to build direct relationships with audiences and create more sustainable business models.

What It Means for the Industry

Australia’s publishing and media sectors will find valuable opportunities by leveraging local talent and unique storytelling voices. A strong growth outlook will also present exciting opportunities for publishers, producers, narrators and tech developers.