The Best Australian Albums on Vinyl: 10 Essential Records for Your Collection
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The best Australian albums on vinyl range from AC/DC's Back in Black and Midnight Oil's Diesel and Dust to John Farnham's Whispering Jack, Hilltop Hoods' State of the Art and Tame Impala's Currents. Below are 10 essential Australian records for any collection, in release order, with the story behind each one. After that, there's a list of more Aussie albums worth exploring. Every record on the list is one we stock, so you can start (or finish) your collection here.
The 10 essential Australian albums at a glance
| Album | Year | Why it's essential |
|---|---|---|
| AC/DC – Back in Black | 1980 | One of the best-selling albums ever made |
| Men at Work – Business as Usual | 1981 | 15 weeks at No. 1 in the US |
| Cold Chisel – Circus Animals | 1982 | Pub rock at its rawest |
| Crowded House – Crowded House | 1986 | The debut with "Don't Dream It's Over" |
| John Farnham – Whispering Jack | 1986 | The highest-selling album in Australia by an Australian artist |
| Midnight Oil – Diesel and Dust | 1987 | Ranked No. 1 in 100 Best Australian Albums |
| INXS – Kick | 1987 | About 20 million copies sold worldwide |
| Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Let Love In | 1994 | Home of "Red Right Hand" |
| Hilltop Hoods – State of the Art | 2009 | A landmark for Australian hip hop |
| Tame Impala – Currents | 2015 | ARIA Album of the Year and a Grammy nomination |
1. AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
Bon Scott died in February 1980, and AC/DC came back months later with Brian Johnson on vocals and one of the biggest rock records of all time. Back in Black has sold an estimated 50 million copies worldwide, and "Hells Bells", "You Shook Me All Night Long" and the title track are still rock radio staples. It reached No. 1 in Australia in 1981.
On vinyl: Back in Black (remastered 180 g LP). For the Bon Scott era, start with Highway to Hell (1979), his last album with the band. To hear where it all began, read our story of AC/DC's first single, Can I Sit Next to You Girl.
2. Men at Work – Business as Usual (1981)
Released in Australia in November 1981, Business as Usual went to No. 1 here for nine weeks, then spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200. "Down Under" and "Who Can It Be Now?" made Men at Work one of the biggest bands in the world, and they won Best New Artist at the 1983 Grammys.
On vinyl: Business as Usual (180 g LP).
3. Cold Chisel – Circus Animals (1982)
After the polished success of East, Cold Chisel made a rougher, darker record. Circus Animals went to No. 1 in Australia in 1982 with "Forever Now", "When the War Is Over" and "You Got Nothing I Want". Rolling Stone Australia called it "a deeply flawed masterpiece, brilliant not so much in spite of the flaws but because of them."
On vinyl: Circus Animals (LP). For the full live experience, there's also The Big Five-O Live (3LP).
4. Crowded House – Crowded House (1986)
Formed in Melbourne in 1985 by Neil Finn and Paul Hester, formerly of Split Enz, with Nick Seymour, Crowded House made one of the great debut albums. It reached No. 1 in Australia, and "Don't Dream It's Over" went to No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
On vinyl: Crowded House (LP).
5. John Farnham – Whispering Jack (1986)
Few comebacks match it. Released in October 1986, Whispering Jack spent 25 weeks at No. 1 and is the highest-selling album in Australia by an Australian artist, certified 24 times platinum. "You're the Voice" went to No. 1, and the album won six awards at the first ARIA Awards in 1987, including Album of the Year.
On vinyl: Whispering Jack (LP). Also available: Age of Reason and Greatest Hits (green vinyl 2LP).
6. Midnight Oil – Diesel and Dust (1987)
Inspired by the band's 1986 Blackfella/Whitefella tour of remote Aboriginal communities with the Warumpi Band, Diesel and Dust is a powerful call for land rights and reconciliation. "Beds Are Burning" became Midnight Oil's biggest international hit, and the album spent six weeks at No. 1 in Australia. It was ranked No. 1 in the book 100 Best Australian Albums (2010).
On vinyl: Diesel and Dust (gatefold LP). Also see 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and Red Sails in the Sunset.
7. INXS – Kick (1987)
Kick turned INXS into global stars. "Need You Tonight" went to No. 1 in the US, and "New Sensation", "Devil Inside" and "Never Tear Us Apart" all reached the US top 10. It has sold about 20 million copies worldwide, making it the band's best-selling album.
On vinyl: Kick (180 g LP) or the clear and white vinyl edition. For the hits, there's The Very Best (2LP).
8. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Let Love In (1994)
Nick Cave's eighth album with the Bad Seeds balances menace and tenderness. It's home to "Red Right Hand", later the theme of Peaky Blinders, plus "Do You Love Me?" and "Loverman", which Metallica later covered. It reached No. 8 in Australia.
On vinyl: Let Love In (180 g LP). For later Cave, try Push the Sky Away or Wild God.
9. Hilltop Hoods – State of the Art (2009)
The Adelaide trio's fifth album debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA chart, won the ARIA for Best Urban Album and went triple platinum. Lead single "Chase That Feeling" came third in triple j's Hottest 100. It's a high point for Australian hip hop.
On vinyl: State of the Art (180 g 2LP). We also stock Drinking from the Sun, Walking Under Stars, The Great Expanse and Fall from the Light.
10. Tame Impala – Currents (2015)
Kevin Parker wrote, performed, produced and mixed Currents largely on his own. It became Tame Impala's first No. 1 album in Australia, won ARIA Album of the Year and was nominated for a Grammy. "Let It Happen" and "The Less I Know the Better" made it one of the defining albums of its decade.
On vinyl: Currents (2LP). Also in stock: the latest album Deadbeat (2LP) and the Lonerism 10th anniversary box set.
More Australian albums to explore
- Icehouse – Man of Colours (blue vinyl)
- Kylie Minogue – Fever
- Silverchair – Freak Show (numbered marbled vinyl)
- The Cruel Sea – Three Legged Dog (30th anniversary green vinyl)
- Hoodoo Gurus – Electric Soup: The Singles Collection
- Skyhooks – Living in the 70's (50th anniversary)
- Gurrumul – The Gurrumul Story
- Courtney Barnett – Tell Me How You Really Feel
Browse everything in our Australian music on vinyl collection.
Collecting Australian vinyl
- Australian originals are collectable. Early local pressings can differ from overseas releases. The Saints' self-released (I'm) Stranded and the Australian quadraphonic pressing of Dark Side of the Moon are two examples.
- New pressings are the easy way in. Most of the albums above are available as new remastered or anniversary LPs, often on 180 g or coloured vinyl.
- Look after them. Good sleeves and storage keep records sounding great.
- Out of stock? Click "Notify me" on any product page and we'll email you when it's back. Popular titles sell out quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Australian album of all time?
There's no single answer, but Midnight Oil's Diesel and Dust was ranked No. 1 in the book 100 Best Australian Albums (2010), and AC/DC's Back in Black is the biggest seller worldwide.
What is the best-selling Australian album in Australia?
John Farnham's Whispering Jack is the highest-selling album in Australia by an Australian artist, certified 24 times platinum.
Which Australian album has sold the most copies worldwide?
AC/DC's Back in Black, with an estimated 50 million copies sold.
What Australian vinyl makes a good gift?
Any of the 10 above. For classic rock fans, try Back in Black, Diesel and Dust or Kick. For younger listeners, try State of the Art or Currents. Orders over $200 ship free within Australia.
Where can I buy Australian vinyl records?
Right here. Heathen Records is an independent online record store in the Blue Mountains, shipping Australia-wide. See our guide to where to buy vinyl records in Australia for more options.