Worried about the ‘declining morals’ of 1950s Amsterdam, taxi driver Piet Amstel decides to emigrate to Australia. The government drive to build atomic shelters and the incessant Dutch rain only strengthen his purpose, as Amstel figures sunny Australia would make a positive change for his family. But first he needs to bring his daughter and her criminal boyfriend back on the right path.

When Sint Nicholaas' steam boat gets stuck on the IJsselmeer on it's way to Holland, a young girl named Annabel and an old skipper called Eeltje Steur come to the rescue. When asked what kind of present Annabel would like to receive in her shoe on December 5th, she replies 'A house'.

The film is about four children of Spanish parents: Raimón, Fina, Isa, and Maribel. These children were born here, but their names were not listed in the Big Book of Sinterklaas. So the Head Piet says that they do not exist and that they will therefore not receive any presents.