The Drowner (1996) is a novel by Australian author Robert Drewe.

[1] It was shortlisted for Miles Franklin Award, and won the Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction and New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Book of the Year in 1997.

In the late 19th century an Englishman irrigator or "drowner", Will Dance, utilises ancient water-knowledge and modern technology to save a drought-ridden town in Western Australia.

A film adaptation of the novel was reportedly arranging funding in 2010,[7] and in pre-production in 2013.

Directed by Jeff Darling from a screenplay by Justin Monjo, Producers Michael Boughen and Matthew Street, Production Company: Ambience Entertainment The Drowner: A story of love, passion, madness, death, and human frailty