Two branches of the McAllister family lead very different lives on cattle stations in Central Australia. Rob, a stickler for correctness, manages a wealthy, company-owned property, while his easygoing brother, Sandy, struggles to support his wife and son on an impoverished leasehold. When tragedy throws the families together, before ultimately driving them even further apart, it's Sandy's young son Jim who suffers most. Left to rebuild his shattered world, he depends on the larger-than-life station characters and the comfort of horses.

This is tough country, where personal heartache is kept in perspective by drought, fire and isolation. The times are just as unforgiving, and as the years pass, Jim discovers that he must pay for his father's mistakes as well as his own. Yet this harshly beautiful land is full of promise, a source of strength to Jim on his road from innocence to independence.

'The Waddi Tree is as authentic as it gets - if you want to read good fictional bush stories, then make it number one on the list.' Australian Outback Books

'Heartbreaking one moment but full of hope with the turn of the page.' Adelaide Advertiser

'Should be on every school and book club list of recommended reads, right across Australia . . . McGinnis builds an epic that will touch all hearts and inspire others travelling the many hard roads in life's quests.' Bendigo Advertiser