Ben O'Neill's life turns upside down when he is kicked out of home at age 16 by his abusive stepfather. Encouraged by an unlikely mentor, Ben leaves his home country of New Zealand in search of truth. His journey across the wild continent of Australia delivers a plethora of characters as he rides horses and musters cattle on the vast plains of the Barkley Tablelands in the Northern Territory; discovers the Indigenous relationship to Country working as a wilderness guide in the Great Dividing Range, Queensland; and loses his heart while diving for pearl shell in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

Searching for Pearls is the brave autobiographical coming-of-age adventure of a young man seeking his own truth, discovering his limits, and pushing the boundaries of mind, body and spirit. Elegantly woven around the natural wonders of Australia's wildest places. It will leave you breathless, with a yearning to tighten your backpack straps and go walkabout.