Internationally acclaimed Australian author Colleen McCullough has died, aged 77.



The best-selling author died in hospital on Norfolk Island on Thursday afternoon, publisher HarperCollins Australia confirmed.



She is best known for her novel The Thorn Birds, which sold 30m copies worldwide, making her one of the first Australian authors to succeed on the world stage, the publisher said in a statement.



HarperCollins publishing director Shona Martyn said McCullough showed determination in overcoming a string of health and eyesight problems to continue writing through dictation.



“Ever quick-witted and direct, we looked forward to her visits from Norfolk Island and the arrival of each new manuscript delivered in hard copy in custom-made maroon manuscript boxes inscribed with her name,” Martyn said.



“The world is a less colourful place without Col.”



McCullough wrote 25 novels throughout her career.



Her last book Bittersweet was published in 2013.



Before becoming a bestselling author she established the neurophysiology department at the Royal North Shore hospital in Sydney.



She also spent 10 years as a researcher at Yale medical school in the US.



She is survived by her husband, Ric Robinson.