The River of Dreams, is the epic saga of the dislocation of tens of thousands of people, to lands far away from all they have previously known; a result of the Industrial Revolution in the early 1800's. The story begins in 1832 and follows the fortunes of several families. Barnaby Essington, the second son of the Earl of Waldringham and his family, are encouraged to emigrate to the Swan River Colony. They will be financially assisted in their relocation, by his father, the Earl.