Dale Collins began his writing career as a journalist for the Melbourne Herald newspaper and the magazine Table Talk. He also contributed stories to the weekly Bulletin magazine. His best selling novel Ordeal (1924) was the result of a world cruise on the yacht 'Speejacks' skippered by American millionaire A. Y. Gowen.
Many of his books for children have nautical or island settings, even Bush Voyage describes an imaginary journey down the Murray River.
Collins also wrote a book on horse racing. He contributed short stories to many books, such as
Fifty Enthralling Stories of the Mysterious East (1937), and to journals and popular magazines. Brother of
Reginald Collins (q.v.).