'Five children meet a mysterious stranger named Peter Billycan, who directs them into a tunnel to discover an underground river system. And this is where the adventures begin...
'Descending the tunnel, the group board a ferry boat, captained by a salty old sea dog, where they are swept away on a wild ride. The children witness two crocodiles having a fight. They are afraid at first, but the crocodiles turn out to be friendly and carry them to an Aboriginal camp on the seashore where they meet a small Aboriginal boy fishing from a bark canoe.
'The boy's tribe welcomes the children, and they learn how the Aboriginals live. A series of thrilling adventures follow where they become aware of the environmental damage caused to coastal wetlands.
'You are invited to join the adventures of Billycan's five heroes who find adventures of learning, understanding and compassion for the world they had visited with Billycan's help... and never would it be forgotten.
'The writer acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which this story is based the Yalukit-Willam people members of the Kulin nation and wishes to pay his respects to their elders' past, present and future and apologises for any factual inaccuracies which may inadvertently be contained in this story.'(Publication summary)
