Jack and Hugh Thornley go to visit their Uncle Tom, who has offered to pay for Hugh's passage to Australia. Uncle Tom made his fortune in Australia and returned to England after 20 years where he bought a fine estate but maintains an Australian bush hut on its grounds. Hugh accepts the offer to head to Australia and sets sail on the 'Saucy Jane', where he is introduced to Mr Munro and Charles Vernon. Hugh stays as a guest at The Munros' property and is given a taste of bush life, meeting indigenous Australians, and partaking in a kangaroo hunt. He continues to stay on working at the station and becomes an accomplished bushman.
On his 21st birthday Hugh is given sheep on the request of his uncle, and by Mr Munro, and sent to one of Mr Munro's other properties, Wooloo-Wooloo, to help set up and manage the station. Jack has travelled out to Australia and accompanies his brother to Wooloo-Wooloo. The co-owner of Wooloo-Wooloo, Mr Robson on arrives and intends to stay on with Jack, while Mr Munro offers Hugh the chance of looking after Tarwonga while they return to England. The Munros stay on in England and give Jack the lease with the prospect to buy Thawwonga after 20 years, which he accepts and makes him suitable to marry Lucy Brookton, the daughter of a neighbouring property owner. Hugh, Jack and Charles become successful farmers and all their properties become prosperous.