Ten-year-old Archie and his siblings, twins Elsie and sickly Rupert, live at Burley Old Farm in England, with their parents Squire and Mrs Broadbent. A series of unfortunate events result in the Squire and his family becoming poor, so Archie decides to set out for Australia to seek his fortune. Once there, he participates in Australian life, from gold digging to station work and kangaroo hunting. He also participates in the rescue of a white toddler, Diana, from the 'terrible blacks'. Archie buys his own station. Eventually Squire Broadbent comes to Australia, buys an adjoining station, and so Burley New Farm is born. Archie and Elsie both get married, and Rupert becomes a missionary. All ends well.
