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It's a Scorcher!: Tales of the Australian Summer
Bestselling author and acclaimed actor William McInnes returns with a collection of hilarious and heartwarming stories about those magical, roastingly hot months that make an Australian summer.
There is something about long, hot summer days that stirs our emotions. It's all about holidays, festivals, family and Christmas; a time for swimming, a hit of backyard cricket or firing up the barbie. It's the deafening sound of cicadas, the ticking of a backyard sprinkler, the pain of a wayward bindi or the sting of sunburnt shoulders.
In this collection of nostalgic stories that will make you laugh and make you cry, William McInnes recalls moments in time and memories of summers past. He takes us back to the energy-sapping heat of Redcliffe in the 1960s and 70s, ruminates on budgie smugglers, remembers holiday road trips that went on forever and epic Boxing Day Tests that stopped fans in their tracks. This is a book about the Australia we are and the Australia we were - and the magic of those boiling-hot days when you wake up and know . . . it's going to be a scorcher!
There is something about long, hot summer days that stirs our emotions. It's all about holidays, festivals, family and Christmas; a time for swimming, a hit of backyard cricket or firing up the barbie. It's the deafening sound of cicadas, the ticking of a backyard sprinkler, the pain of a wayward bindi or the sting of sunburnt shoulders.
In this collection of nostalgic stories that will make you laugh and make you cry, William McInnes recalls moments in time and memories of summers past. He takes us back to the energy-sapping heat of Redcliffe in the 1960s and 70s, ruminates on budgie smugglers, remembers holiday road trips that went on forever and epic Boxing Day Tests that stopped fans in their tracks. This is a book about the Australia we are and the Australia we were - and the magic of those boiling-hot days when you wake up and know . . . it's going to be a scorcher!
296 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2025
About the author
William McInnes
34 books77 followersDarryl William McInnes (born 10 September 1963) is one of Australia’s most popular stage and screen actors.
His leading roles in Sea Change and Blue Heelers have made him a household name. The mini-series Shark Net and My Brother Jack earned him widespread critical acclaim. He has been nominated for numerous stage and screen awards, and has won a Variety Club Drama Award in 1997 and two Logie awards for Most Outstanding Actor in 2000 and 2004.
William grew up in Queensland and has travelled extensively throughout Australia. He now lives in Melbourne with his two children. He was married to the late film maker Sarah Watt.
His leading roles in Sea Change and Blue Heelers have made him a household name. The mini-series Shark Net and My Brother Jack earned him widespread critical acclaim. He has been nominated for numerous stage and screen awards, and has won a Variety Club Drama Award in 1997 and two Logie awards for Most Outstanding Actor in 2000 and 2004.
William grew up in Queensland and has travelled extensively throughout Australia. He now lives in Melbourne with his two children. He was married to the late film maker Sarah Watt.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 14, 2026
This is my third time reading a William McInnes book. I previously enjoyed Holidays, but disliked Yeah, Nah! – thankfully, this one is a return to form.
“Life is to be lived, and summer is the time to live well.”
McInnes is a natural storyteller. He effortlessly weaves personal anecdotes and stories alongside an exploration of things which define our Australian summers. It’s a book filled with trips down memory lane, as he reflects on summers from the past – the people and good times. I often found myself smiling or laughing while reading – a great way to start the year!
McInnes knows how to capture and portray Australian culture and tap into what makes our country unique. His easy going, yet witty and humorous style made it a light and relaxing read – perfect for enjoying outside under the sun!
It’s quite nostalgic and inevitably transported me back to summers gone by. McInnes can find both the hilarity and profound in otherwise mundane interactions. He’s a great observer with a knack for encapsulating the Australian experience, and at his best when balancing humour with genuine heartfelt moments.
The book covers everything from festivals, New Year fireworks, sports, cicadas, movies, and swimming attire, to iconic summer events like the Boxing Day Test, Australian Open, and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
“The race’s very nature, putting oneself against the dangers of the open sea, instils a sense of national pride.”
McInnes talks about the timing of our Australian summer vs those in the northern hemisphere – how ours is particularly one of endings and beginnings as the calendar ticks over during it, creating a heightened sense of time passing.
This is a book that makes you think about the people who have been prominent in your life over the years, even those just passing through. While it lost a bit of momentum halfway, there was still plenty enough to make one ruminate. I found myself thinking about backyard cricket with Dad, how service stations used to be, and how we share sunrises with all those who have gone before us.
I don’t think there’s a more fitting book for the Australian summer as this one. It’s perfect for holidays – especially the period between Christmas and New Years when you have no idea what day it is.
“It’s a floating time where days disappear and you can easily forget the date and even what day it might be.”
“Life is to be lived, and summer is the time to live well.”
McInnes is a natural storyteller. He effortlessly weaves personal anecdotes and stories alongside an exploration of things which define our Australian summers. It’s a book filled with trips down memory lane, as he reflects on summers from the past – the people and good times. I often found myself smiling or laughing while reading – a great way to start the year!
McInnes knows how to capture and portray Australian culture and tap into what makes our country unique. His easy going, yet witty and humorous style made it a light and relaxing read – perfect for enjoying outside under the sun!
It’s quite nostalgic and inevitably transported me back to summers gone by. McInnes can find both the hilarity and profound in otherwise mundane interactions. He’s a great observer with a knack for encapsulating the Australian experience, and at his best when balancing humour with genuine heartfelt moments.
The book covers everything from festivals, New Year fireworks, sports, cicadas, movies, and swimming attire, to iconic summer events like the Boxing Day Test, Australian Open, and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
“The race’s very nature, putting oneself against the dangers of the open sea, instils a sense of national pride.”
McInnes talks about the timing of our Australian summer vs those in the northern hemisphere – how ours is particularly one of endings and beginnings as the calendar ticks over during it, creating a heightened sense of time passing.
This is a book that makes you think about the people who have been prominent in your life over the years, even those just passing through. While it lost a bit of momentum halfway, there was still plenty enough to make one ruminate. I found myself thinking about backyard cricket with Dad, how service stations used to be, and how we share sunrises with all those who have gone before us.
I don’t think there’s a more fitting book for the Australian summer as this one. It’s perfect for holidays – especially the period between Christmas and New Years when you have no idea what day it is.
“It’s a floating time where days disappear and you can easily forget the date and even what day it might be.”
January 8, 2026
I received this book in an exchange at a cross stitch retreat and with temperatures in their 40’s it couldn’t have been a better fit to read.
I have always liked the author William McInnes and having read this, I am asking myself why I haven’t read more of his books? This was a wonderful reflection of past and recent summers. Being a similar age to the author there were things I could remember from my childhood (oh how my late dad loved the Nana Mouskouri Show! ) I also found myself laughing out loud at comments, turns of phrase etc.. It’s a beautifully human reflection on childhood, adolescence, adulthood and features of growing up in Australia. Cricket, thongs, tins of biscuits, picnics, home dressmaking, the beach, cicadas, Parkes Elvis Festival - it’s all there and more!
Very, very enjoyable book.
I have always liked the author William McInnes and having read this, I am asking myself why I haven’t read more of his books? This was a wonderful reflection of past and recent summers. Being a similar age to the author there were things I could remember from my childhood (oh how my late dad loved the Nana Mouskouri Show! ) I also found myself laughing out loud at comments, turns of phrase etc.. It’s a beautifully human reflection on childhood, adolescence, adulthood and features of growing up in Australia. Cricket, thongs, tins of biscuits, picnics, home dressmaking, the beach, cicadas, Parkes Elvis Festival - it’s all there and more!
Very, very enjoyable book.
February 3, 2026
Another great read from William McInnes full of funny and poignant Aussie yarns. I do wonder how much the truth is stretched in some of these tales, but I can’t deny that McInnes’ books are always enjoyable.
I don’t even like cricket, but I found the chapter on cricket very entertaining and laugh-out-loudable.
William McInnes is a couple of years younger than me, and even though I grew up in Sydney, there was much I could relate to in these recollections of living through summer in Australia.
Very enjoyable and recommended.
I don’t even like cricket, but I found the chapter on cricket very entertaining and laugh-out-loudable.
William McInnes is a couple of years younger than me, and even though I grew up in Sydney, there was much I could relate to in these recollections of living through summer in Australia.
Very enjoyable and recommended.
February 23, 2026
So good! A funny, entertaining, touching and informative book. I could totally relate to most of the stories! Highly recommended!
May 13, 2026
He’s done it again. William McInnes manages to take me back to my childhood memories every time. What a privilege to grow up in this country in the 70’s and 80’s when life was simple and a nice boy at the service station checked your oil while filling the petrol tank of your Datson 1200.
February 22, 2026
My whole Book Club loves William McInnes. Their kids are named after him, his TV characters and his son. Even my friends who don’t have men in their lives say he is adorable. He is the epitome of a wonderful boofy Aussie bloke. I always love to read about his gorgeous amusing parents…. And he obviously misses them. Many of these tales involved them. They called him Cabbagehead and Piecan …. and he always knew he was loved.
Now we hear of another of another nickname , given by the father of a ‘pal’……the Redcliffe Simian. And that was my favourite tale this time.
Now we hear of another of another nickname , given by the father of a ‘pal’……the Redcliffe Simian. And that was my favourite tale this time.
April 17, 2026
McInnes tries to be poignant and deep but comes across as a Temu Trent Dalton with massive racist undertones. The editors were obviously asleep when this manuscript got through. 0 stars if I could give it.
February 18, 2026
Good summer read. Very Australian.
March 9, 2026
Really enjoyed the book, took me back to being a kid during the summer school holidays.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews