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Nine-year-old Alex is not impressed about the prospect of spending a few days with his grandfather. Gramps and his friends are environmental activists and when Alex and his parents arrive, Gramps is tied to a tree — with a large crowd and a television reporter in attendance. It is not the first time Alex has been embarrassed by Gramps.
Not deterred by Alex's silence, Gramps gives him chocolate cake and a gumleaf to wear around his neck, so that he will always have a piece of the bush with him. He also shows Alex a piece of wood and wire which he claims is part of the rabbit-proof fence. Gramps comments that the invading rabbits had much in common with some developers today, as both ruin the land.
Homesick and tired, Alex falls asleep with the gumleaf still around his neck. But when he 'wakes' he is out in the scrub, and discovers to his horror that he has huge feet, paws and a tail. Alex befriends a group of native animals and learns of their fears about a large group of scary rabbits who are coming to take over their land. He calls on the animals to help him get home, but first they need to devise a way for him to get over the fence that has been built to keep the rabbits out.
Using the skills of each member of the group, Alex finds his way back home and helps the native animals to face their fears. On his return, he has a new appreciation for the way Gramps and his friends work together to save the bush.
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