If it's 100 degrees in the shade why is rain causing the horse stealers to shiver under a tree and why are the kids collecting firewood in a drenching downpour while a fire gets lit in a cave to keep them warm and to dry their clothes, and why is the missus lighting a huge bonfire in such dangerous Australian conditions in the efforts to warn her drover husband that the kids have gone? Rather far fetched but enjoyable if you like Australian movies.

Four children ride up a short cut despite their black friend's warning. They encounter two horse thieves who tell them not to reveal their presence. When a prized mare goes missing, the mystery men are suspected. The oldest kid Helen failed to warn her father beforehand and is distraught by her father's disappointment. The police gives up the search and ignores the children's suspicion for the thieves' hideout. The five children decide to search on their own.

I love the Aboriginal kid teaching some bush skills. The danger is not that intense. Mostly, the situations are dangerous but one gets the sense that no kids would ever get hurt in this family film. Quite frankly, the ice house situation is more funny than scary, having the kids hang up like that. It reminds me of a couple of sitcoms with a comedic struggle while hung on a hook. All in all, this is a fine kiddie adventure with kiddie dangers and kiddie thrills.