> Skip to content

Article  •  30 May 2016

 

Life on the Wild Lands

An average day in the incredible life of Wild Lands author Nicole Alexander.

In the course of her career Nicole Alexander has worked both in Australia and Singapore in financial services, fashion, corporate publishing and agriculture. A fourth-generation grazier, Nicole returned to her family's property in the late 1990s. She is currently the business manager there and has a hands-on role in the running of the property. She is also the author of several novels, including 2015’s epic novel of bravery, loyalty and impossible love, Wild Lands.

Nicole takes us through what an average day on the farm is like, and shares some wonderful photos.

My day starts with a twenty minute drive to the main homestead. The road’s pretty busy, usually, with kangaroos, wild pigs and foxes and the odd sheep or cattle that have escaped onto the stock route along the side of the road.

This morning it’s pretty quiet.

We mustered cattle in yesterday from our western boundary, so I call in at the homestead for a quick coffee and to discuss the day’s work with my Dad, then it’s straight to the cattle-yards...

We’re going through some mobs of cattle and drafting out cull cows for sale – that is older cows and those cows that are not pregnant. It’s a good day’s work and after a 6 am start, I’m ready for a break by the end of the day.

It’s getting late, so I head home to my cottage and feed the new kelpie pups. Then it’s writing time...

 

More features

See all
Article
Let us tell you a story

Australian authors and personalities read some of our favourite picture books.

Article
Let us read you a story

Australia's favourite authors read some of our most-loved picture books.

Article
Crafting The Cedar Tree

Nicole Alexander reflects on creating her outback saga, The Cedar Tree.

Article
Plotting the territory

Nicole Alexander reflects on the inspiration and research behind Stone Country.

Book clubs
The Cedar Tree book club notes

Transport your book club to the Strzelecki Desert, the Richmond Valley and County Tipperary.

Book clubs
Stone Country book club notes

Transport your book club friends to the sweeping rural vistas of Stone Country.

Article
5 of the hottest YA books right now (2025)

Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.

Article
How to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party

Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!

Article
Your guide to writers’ festivals in May 2025

Check out some of the Penguin Random House authors who will be at upcoming writers’ festivals.

Article
How to save money on groceries: 6 innovative budget tips

Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.

Article
Penguin Picks: 4 books to escape with this long weekend – no travel required

Check out the long weekend reads Penguin employees are loving.

Article
Penguin Noir 2025 was a criminally good showcase

Our 2025 Penguin Noir events have wrapped up for another year – featuring four cities, four days, seven authors and a whole lot of crime!

Looking for more articles?

See all articles
penguin pop image
penguin pop image