This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1879.
Books
Ada Cambridge — In Two Years Time
John Boyle O'Reilly – Moondyne
Catherine Helen Spence – Handfasted
Poetry
Adam Lindsay Gordon
Poems of the Late Adam Lindsay Gordon
"To My Sister" Henry Kendall "Araluen" "Hy-Brasil" "On a Street" "Orara" "The Sydney International Exhibition"
Non-fiction
Ned Kelly – The Jerilderie Letter
Births
A list, ordered by date of birth (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of births in 1879 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of death.
22 February – Norman Lindsay, novelist and artist (died 1969) 8 June — Nita Kibble, librarian (died 1962) 14 October – Miles Franklin, novelist (died 1954)
Deaths
A list, ordered by date of death (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of deaths in 1879 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of birth.
6 January – Ellen Davitt, crime novelist (born 1812)