Mortal Wombat

After recovering two pieces of the powerful Ayerstone, Bruce and his mates discover a third piece is located somewhere in the outback. Walter the common wombat is more concerned with finding the hairy-nosed wombats of the Nullarbor and studying the ancient art of Mortal Wombat. Along with Outback Jack and their platypus, koala and kangaroo mates, they travel into South Australia, finding that powerful Megalania-sized goannas are in control from their Kangaroo Island base, having conquered Adelaide and dominating much of the countryside.

Bruce will need to escape Kangaroo Island with help from New Zealand fur seals while avoiding sharks, sea lions and the goannas. Then with his wombat friend, he sets out across South Australia as they aim to reach the Nullarbor and find the hairy-nosed wombats. On their way, they pass through German settled areas; the quaint village of Hahndorf and the shiraz vineyards of the Barossa. Also they explore rugged landscapes in the Flinders Ranges, the remote Birdsville Track through the harsh desert, the mysterious salt lake of Lake Eyre and the rich opal mines of Cooper Pedy. On their journey into the outback, they visit a wide range of communities from lush Waterfall Gully in the Adelaide Hills to remote towns like Marree, William Creek and Ooldea.  

The pair must deal with spiders, scorpions, snakes, goannas, other lizards and pursuing dingoes in their travels over the outback. Many pests prove a nuisance, including ants, frogs, snails, flies and other insects. While they are often battered by forces of nature: dust storms, floods, willy-willies and the searing heat as they try to learn more about the magic of the Ayerstone which has caused animals to grow in size and take over human settlements. Ancient creatures thought extinct still linger in remote places like the deep limestone caves at Naracoorte or the Ediacaran Hills. Preston the platypus has his own adventures: encountering whales, octopuses, snakes, leafy sea dragons and fur seals. Also the platypus must avoid numerous ocean predators in Spencer Gulf: bluefin tuna, cuttlefish and great white sharks.

Bruce learns more about wombats from Walter; their superior digging skills and ability to live in a harsh environment surrounded by predators. Only with hairy-nosed wombat assistance and knowledge can the two hope to survive the outback.