The year is 1859 and the goldfields are filled with diggers -- and danger!


Orphaned twelve-year-old Tigg is the Bandicoot Bushranger, the youngest bushranger on the Ballarat goldfields in 1859.

When a robbery goes wrong, Tigg must flee in disguise as one of the tens of thousands of Chinese men and boys braving heat, thirst, starvation and murderous attacks on the long road from Robe in South Australia to the goldfields in Victoria.

But even further danger threatens. Who has offered a large sum of money for Tigg's capture? And is the mysterious Henry Lau a friend or enemy?

To be safe, Tigg must solve the greatest mystery of all.

Who is Tigg?

AWARDS
CBCA Younger Readers Shortlist 2025

Winner - ACT Literary Awards 2025 (Children's Middle Grade)

Shortlisted - Book Links Award for Children's Historical Fiction 2025