Adventures down under

In 1868, after their father is wrongfully convicted and deported on the last prison ship to Australia, twelve-year-old Patrick and the rest of the McWaid family determine to stay together and follow him to the far-off continent.

In Australia in 1868, twelve-year-old Patrick continues to search for his missing father, who has been convicted of a crime he did not commit and has been forced into hiding out in the bush.

In late nineteenth-century Australia, Patrick McWaid and his family return to Boomerang Bend where they must raise and repair the sunken paddle steamer, Lady Elizabeth, and deliver it to its new owner in 30 days.

When thirteen-year-old Patrick and his family befriend a young Chinese immigrant who arrives in Australia in 1855, they face the prejudices of local miners.