Colin Thiele was born in Eudunda, a small town north of the Barossa Valley in South Australia.He attended local schools here and then graduated from the University of Adelaide, later serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War, and then became a high school teacher, college lecturer, principal and director.

He wrote a novel when 11 years old (and, it is said he later burnt it). He had a love of interesting words and unusual language, perhaps because he was a bi-lingual child. One of his first early favourites was 'While the Billy Boils' by Henry Lawson.

More than a hundred books have been published for readers of all kinds, old and young--poetry, history biography, children's' stories, adult fiction, and books on the environment and education. Colin has always, it seems shown an interest in wildlife, solitude, youth and age, the natural environment, self-discovery, inner strength, and human relationships in small communities.